5. Theology in the Scriptures

8/7/2019 5. Theology in the Scriptures

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Theology in the Scriptures

, , not Scriptural terms

When did these terms enter Christian literature????


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Theology in the Ancient GreekPhilosophical Tradition

Platos Republic what are the forms of theology which you mean)

]

"Something of this kind, I [namely Plato] replied:- God is always to be represented as he truly is,whatever be the sort of poetry, epic, lyric or

tragic, in which the representation is given [, , ].


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Aristotle -

Evidently, then, there are three kinds of theoretical sciences-physics, mathematics, theology. The class of theoreticalsciences is the best, and of these themselves the last named isbest; for it deals with the highest of existing things, and eachscience is called better or worse in virtue of its proper object

,, , . , .,


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Stoics- Tripartite distinction

- Mythical- Natural- Civil

In Augustine's City of God, we read the following:what is the significance of his saying that there are three kinds oftheology, that is, of the account that is given of the gods? Of these one iscalled mythical, another physical and the third civil. If Latin usageallowed, we should call the kind that he placed first "fabular." But let us

call it "fabulous", for the term "mythical" is derived from fables, since inGreek a fable is called mythos. The second kind may be called "natural",as common usage already approves. To the third kind Varro himselfgives a Latin name, that of "civil.


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Reflection

- Humanendeavour

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pithanologia

- Anthropomorphic

- AncientGreekworldoffere

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hristianGod


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Theology in the Scritpures

The word "theology" does not appear in the Scriptures Athenagoras of Athens (2nd century) first to use the

term in A Plea for Christians It was Clement and to a greater extent Origen who

were the first to introduce the term into the Christianlanguage

It was in Alexandria that the first Theological Schoolappeared.


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Theology in the Early Christian Tradition

The term "theology" used differently to how it is usedtoday

St Athanasius specifically used the term to depict Christs relationshipwith God the Father (cf. Trinitarian theology) (note diff. b/w theologia and oikonomia)Evagius of PontosSaint Diadochos of Photiki said that "theology

bestows on the soul the greatest gifts uniting it with God the

Logos in unbreakable communion."St Peter of Damascus said that theology is the most

exalted of the eight stages of spiritual contemplation.


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The reason for existence knowledge of God

Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternallife (Jn6:47)

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the

Son of God does not have life. (1John 5:12)

Theology =a knowledge of God which is life giving, which explains what

life is all about


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Theology is life-giving and for allthe deeper breathing of the entire body

Theology as gift Therefore not acquired purely through scholarship Not acquired BUT accepted in thanksgiving

The starting point forTheology

the gift of Jesus Christ a response to Jesus question,

Who do you say that I am?


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Question:

Who doyou saythat I

am ?

FirstReflec

tion

Canon ofFaith(1Cor 15)

Subs

equentReflect

ions

Theology


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The starting point of theology is thegospel of God about Jesus Christ which is preached


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Akerygma revealed to the ecclesia The Church as the hermeneutical

context


He has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his goodpleasure that he set forth in Christ in former generations this mysterywas not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to hisholy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. this is the great mystery, and Iam applying it to Christ and the church (Eph 1:9; 3:5 and 5:32).

for now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now Iknow only in part; then I will know full, even as I have been fullyknown (1Cor 13:12).


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Theology in the

Scriptures

The reflection of the kerygma of Christ becomes theology andis handed down for future generations

"Hold fast to what has been handed over to you either inwriting or orally that you have received

- depositum fidei

What was handed over was the 1. Teaching of the apostles; 2.The breaking of bread; 3. The prayers; 4. The communion.


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Theology therefore not part of thepreaching

The first theological treatise after the preaching - StJohn's Gospel

Theology was part of the interior life of the ecclesia, wherethe ultimate act had been revealed and the person came to knowChrist through the Spirit and therefore to know God throughHim and therefore to be able to speak proper words, or God-befitting words about the Trinity


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SUMMARY Theology begins with the confession of Jesus This claim arises out a relationship with Him This is made possible by the seal of the Holy Spirit This is experienced in the Church This process is what makes theology possible.


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Theology in the Fathers

Gift - CharismaRevelation of a mysteryRequiring inner purifcationStillness


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Theologian theodidaktos Origen (2nd cent.)

Theology as a Gift

Theologyisanexhalation,abreathingout,anemanation,aradiationthatc

omesfromGod


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Theology as a Revelation of a Mystery

the mystery of theology

every theological affirmation passes theunderstanding of the one who utters it. For ourunderstanding is weak and our language leaves a lot

to be desired.

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we willsee face to face. Now I know only in part; then I willknow fully, even as I have been fully known. (1Cor

13:12)


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Apophatic and Cataphatic Language

The true knowledge of God and vision of God consists in this - in seeingthat God is invisible, because what we see lies beyond all knowledge,being wholly separated by the darkness of incomprehensibility Whatis the significance of the fact that Moses went right into the darknessand saw God there? (Ex 20:21). At first sight, the account of this visionseems to contradict the earlier one (Ex 3). For, whereas on thatoccasion the divine was actually seen in light, this time the divine isseen in darkness. But we should not regard this as reflecting anyinconsistency, at least on the level of the mystical meaning, whichconcerns us here. Through it the Word is teaching us that, in the initialstages, religious knowledge comes to people as illumination. So what

we recognize as contrary to religion is darkness, and escape from thatdarkness is achieved through participation in the light. From there themind moves forward; and, by its ever-increasing and more perfectattention, it forms an idea of the apprehension of reality. The closer itapproaches the vision of God, the more it recognizes the invisible

character of the divine nature.


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Apophatic language

Safeguards the inexhaustibility of God Theology a knowledge beyond all knowledge Such language leads to an encounter Theology as union with God


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A personal commitment to holiness

Theology a theandric endeavor (1Cor 3:9)

Theology requires a radical and personaltransformation together with intellectual rigour

Made possible through prayer Cf. Evagrius (4th cent.)

a theologian is the one who prays; the one who

prays is a theologian


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A personal commitment to holiness

St Maximus theConfessor"mystical theology implies

an erotic ecstasy, a selftranscendence penetratedby the irresistable desire ofthe living God.

Metanoia Askesis Doxa


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St Gregory Nazianzus adage

"It is not given to all the world to philosophiseabout God, not to all the world for the subjectis not common or trivial and I will add notbefore any public, nor at any moment, nor at

any point of doctrine but at certain moments,before certain people and certain limits. Not toeveryone, but only those who can philosophiseon God are those who have been tested to thisend, those who are arrived at a higher stage ofcontemplation, those who have before handpurified their souls and bodies or at least arein the process of purifying themselves".


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Peace of heart

Be still and know that I am God (Ps 45.10)

"On what occasion it is allowed of us to philsophizeabout God? This is possible when we have reached astate of peace and by that we are sheltered from the

restlessness and the impurities which come fromoutside. In order to know God we must be in a stateof inner peace.


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Mystical Theology

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5. Theology in the Scriptures