Theology Review Sheet

Theology Review Sheet
Angus/Erickson

1. The Uncaused Cause
a. The Principle of Sufficient Reason states that everything has a cause outside of itself
b. Thus one of three possibilities is true
i. There is no explanation and the universe simply exists… but this is a logical contradiction
ii. There is an infinite chain of causes… but there must be some beginning event, like an engine pulling a train/wagon
iii. Thus the only remaining possibility is that there is an uncaused cause
2. The Moral Argument: What explains the unusual strength and character of the moral obligation?
a. Again, three possibilities
i. Morality is enlightened self-interest: I am nice so others are nice to me
1. Well, sometimes people are nice knowing they are going to die for it, ie that nazi dude
ii. Morality is the result of social conditioning: people act in a certain way because they are trained to do so
1. Well, sometimes people go against their training, ie that nazi dude again
iii. Thus, the only remaining possibility is that morality comes from a higher law made by an absolute lawmaker
3. The God of Philosophers
a. The philosopher can only probe a few things about God
i. The world is insufficiently explained unless we assume the existence of an uncaused cause
ii. In searching for an ultimate foundation to the laws of nature, one discovers the existence of a superior mind, which he knows nothing about
iii. Man’s concern with moral correctness suggests that he seeks a higher law, which must be given by a higher lawgiver
iv. The witness of those who claim to know god suggest that god is personal
4. Forms of Revelation
a. Universal Revelation
i. Just as an artist expresses something of himself in his works, God expresses something of himself in his creation of the universe
ii. However, the knowledge of God that we gain is very limited
b. Historical Revelation
i. In this much more personal method, God reveals himself to us through specific experiences
ii. This is completely fulfilled through Jesus, who is the most perfect expression of the word of God
5. Evolution vs. Creation Debate
a. Why would the religious truth contradict the scientific truth?
i. If we interpret both correctly, then they should both be true, right?
b. So anyways, if there is a contradiction then
i. The religious interpreter is wrong, because religion is always right, even if people interpret it wrong
ii. Or the science is wrong
c. And anyways, something that is less perfect cannot create something more perfect
d. So to justify the contrast between evolution and religion we say that God enabled us to do what we could not accomplish on our own, that is to bring about a higher level of being
6. Original Sin in Light of Monogenism and Polygenism
a. As a result of the first sin, the rest of us come into the world without the life of sanctifying grace (which was never really due to us)
b. So why must the destiny of all men depend upon the first of our kind?
i. Well, God created us as members of a family, not as isolated individuals
c. If there was monogenism, then Adam and Eve were the first and committed the first sin
d. If there was polygenism, then there are two possibilities
i. Adam and Eve were the first human couple to reach moral maturity and God appointed them leaders and representatives of the rest of mankind
ii. The names of Adam and Eve are simply symbols for all of mankind and Original sin was simply a collective rebellion
7. The Notion of Personal Sin and Modern Attempts to Eliminate it
a. Reduction to Physical or Mental Disease
i. Much of contemporary society views immoral or criminal behavior as the result of some kind of mental illness, emotional stress, or genetic abnormality
ii. While mental illness can explain some crimes, this notion eliminates the concept of moral value; the “wrongdoer” needs repair, not rehabilitation
b. Reduction to an Effect of Social or Economic Injustice
i. This was popular among communists/socialists
ii. This theory states that greed and selfishness are produced out of need, not by choice
iii. While this is partially true (some crimes are committed out of need), salvation does not lie in curing society
iv. Riches and Poverty can bring vices of their own
c. Harmful Instead of Sinful
i. Evil is not just what is harmful (as harm varies from person to person), although this is what we are taught as children
ii. The harm is just an outward effect of the evil that resides in the heart of the sinner
iii. Sin is more than just a harmful action done on purpose
8. The Experience of Sin
a. Evil conduct puts us at odds with who we ought to be
i. We separate ourselves from our fellow men and from the Creator of the Universe
b. Guilt is present in anyone, even atheists experience this conflict as they fail to reach the standards they hold themselves to
c. We need the forgiveness of not just other human beings but of the God whom we have rejected
d. A true experience of sin requires a certain refinement of mind and a sensitivity of soul
i. Sometimes it takes the immature forms of shame, discomfort, and self-rejection
ii. A true experience of our own sinfulness is the first step towards redemption

beautiful

how long have you two been together?

Jk... if you meant working on review sheets weve been doing it since last year

no i mean how long have yall worked on it this year cause yall have a ton of stuff done

Today and yesterday. we're hXc like that

ya...

you guys is just tight? Jon I Pm'd you (that means private messaged) I think you should read it

Gracias senores. I needed a ton of help on Theology because I have no idea what we are studying at all.

Hahah, ya me too. Yesterday some one asked me what we were doing in Theology this year and I was like....uh.....we've watched a lot of movies...

I saw the pm Alex... talk to luke about it I can't do that unless i'm admin

Ve- ve- ve- lociraptor

Under the moral argument i think u forgot about social conditioning

Dangit who is squirrels?

will squiers...

So why not make a name everyone can recognize? like im ginger and aidan is AIDS, easy

well because this is the internet and there are guys like this out there

this was extremely helpful. gracias señores. muchas gracias

What, the creepy guy or the review?

that review sheet is amazing jon!! muchas gracias

woah, that is one tuff creeper

jerickson wrote:Theology Review Sheet
Angus/Erickson:

that nazi dude

I wonder what the nazis would say

OK so Im done studying for this exam, but I didnt' do much so Im just gonna wing it

sorry i didnt mean to offend the dallas chapter of the neo-nazi gun-loving bible-toting nambla rednecks

jerickson wrote:sorry i didnt mean to offend the dallas chapter of the neo-nazi gun-loving bible-toting nambla rednecks

next time chose your words more carefully

I apologize. How are they going to punish me?