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Building Your Theology

  1. Lesson One
    What is Theology?
    3 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. Lesson Two
    Exploring Christian Theology
    3 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  3. Lesson Three
    Relying on Revelation
    3 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  4. Lesson Four
    Authority in Theology
    3 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  5. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Building Your Theology Authority in Theology Further Study
Lesson 4, Activity 3

Further Study

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Review Questions

These questions are designed to help you review important material covered in the lecture.

  1. Describe the posture the medieval church took regarding the authority of Scripture in regards to inspiration, meaning and obscurity.
  2. Explain how medieval theologians understood the authority of the church in the past and in their contemporary setting.
  3. What were the effects of the medieval period’s view of the authority of Scripture and the church?
  4. Describe the posture the early Protestants took regarding the authority of Scripture in regards to inspiration, meaning and obscurity.
  5. Explain how the early Protestants understood the authority of the church in the past and in their contemporary setting.
  6. What were the effects of the early Protestants’ view of the authority of Scripture and the church?
  7. Describe the posture of contemporary Protestants regarding the authority of Scripture in regards to inspiration, meaning and obscurity.
  8. Explain how contemporary Protestants understand the authority of the church in the past and our contemporary setting.
  9. What are the effects of the contemporary Protestant view of the authority of Scripture and the church?

Application Questions

Application questions are appropriate for written assignments or as topics for group discussions. For written assignments, it is recommended that answers not exceed one page in length.

  1. The writings of the early church fathers have influenced the church throughout its history. Is this good or bad? Should modern theology seek to move past these primitive views? Or should we rely strongly on the wisdom of those who have gone before us?
  2. In what ways has this study helped you understand the historical controversy between Catholics and Protestants?
  3. Why is it important to maintain a balance between the divine origin of Scripture and the human origin or Scripture?
  4. What are some practical ways we can observe the principle of “always reforming” in the modern church? What are some areas in your own church that need to be reformed?
  5. How should the concept of complex univalence influence as we engage in modern theological discussions? What are some dangers of this approach to meaning? What are some of its benefits?
  6. How can the model of the cone of certainty aide you in assigning priorities and levels of conviction to your understandings of scriptural passages that are not entirely clear?
  7. What are the dangers of Traditionalism and Biblicism? Have you seen these extremes in the church today?
  8. There were several “extreme” positions mentioned in this lesson. Did any of them describe your own approach to theology? Which ones? What practical steps might you take to adopt more responsible perspectives?
  9. What is the most significant insight you have learned from this study? Why?

Discussion Video

Additional information concerning the lesson topic is provided in a video presentation of a question and answer session. If you are struggling to understand any portion of the lesson or if you would simply like to deepen your understanding of the subject, this video will be helpful.