Liberation theology

Wright’s missional hermeneutic, and he addressed the question: “How can systematic theology be used to reach people cross culturally?” Despite language barriers, different cultures communicate in different ways. Therefore, complexities will obviously arise from ministering in a cross cultural context. The proposed “solution” for this issue is an adjustment from focusing on a systematic theology to biblical theology as a point of view that focuses on the narrative of Christ and God’s mission to…

There are many different beliefs and arguments that people have made throughout time about whether or not God exists. Some believe there is only one God, some think there are many, and some think there is no God. There are three main arguments that people tend to make about this subject. There is the ontological argument, the cosmological argument, and the design argument. With this paper I will discuss the different beliefs behind these arguments, my thoughts on this topic, as well as my…

Rene Descartes work ‘Meditations on First Philosophy’ is filled with his many ideas on God, the relationship between the mind and body and the trustworthiness of things we believe to be true. The main focus of this essay is his arguments for distrusting the senses. These are the dreaming argument and the evil demon argument. Meditations begins with Descartes casting doubt on everything he once believed to be absolutely true. It is a search for absolute certainty. In order to do this he uses…

Koinonia is the communion and participation of Christians whose relationships are experienced with God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and themselves, according to the Westminster Theological Dictionary. Koinonia is the Christian communion, partaking, or participation in the body of Christ. The concept of koinonia is a consistent theme that found its place in all of the doctrines learned this semester. These doctrines are Revelation, Triune God, Incarnate Christ, Creation, Sin, and the Problem…

In recent years, new theologies have risen to answer the questions concerning the existence of God and evil. Openness, Love, and Essential Kenosis theologies offer an explanation for evil; however, there are several issues within these theologies which cause concern. Their answer redefines omniscience, teaches that God cannot be a sufficient cause, and stresses the proper way to understand God is only through love. These views have direct implications on the inspiration of Scripture and God’s…

The word “atonement” simply means to receive reparation for something you did wrong. In the way of the Christian doctrine of atonement, the very same definition can be applied. It would mean to receive reparation for your sins. The general understanding of the doctrine of atonement is that “humans sin, [which] causes debt we are unable to pay, [therefore] we deserve punishment. Instead of our being punished, God sends his Son to be punished in our place. We are forgiven” (Senor 4). This…

In Mary Doria Russell’s novel The Sparrow, the complexities of social and structural sin, as well as fate and free will are evident. In class, we defined free will as making the conscious decisions of the choices in one’s life, and fate as very one-dimensional, where one’s outcome is already pre-determined (Theodicy PPT). In a story where God is present, it is hard to decide whether following what you believe to be Gods path is fate or free will, which is challenged in The Sparrow. Furthermore,…

Lutheran theology echoes throughout the Pilgrim’s Progress, particularly through John Bunyan’s representations of law and grace. These are two critical ideas that Bunyan presents through his allegory. The ideas are detailed mostly in the beginning of Christian’s journey, as the beginning of one’s faith, where it is easiest to become confused on the nature of salvation. To fully grasp Bunyan’s meaning is to understand what law and grace mean, and how they relate to each other. The concepts, like…

The article H. J. McCloskey wrote, On Being an Atheist, discusses how arguments presented are proof that God does not exist. As I learned from Dr. Foreman’s presentation, Arguments for God’s Existence, there is nothing that can be proven with one-hundred percent certainty. We need not use arguments, but we should use evidence, just as an attorney in building a case against or for an accused. (Foreman, Approaching the Question of God 's Existence n.d.) Evidence sometimes is circumstantial, full…

One of the most seemingly apparent philosophical questions in the world is regarding the existence of God. The topic has been the cause of much controversy for over a millennium. Within the questioning of God’s existence there are several more philosophical arise+, that ignite just as much argument within philosophical circles. One example is the flawed nature of God’s omnipotence. Mackie believes that, “…unqualified omnipotence cannot be ascribed to any being that continues through time.” In…