HTH-350
Topic 1 and Topic 2 Reading Questions
1. McGrath stated that the purpose of historical theology to help us understand
Christian theology, Theology helps explain the context of Christian history
and the environment that produced it. Historical theology also explains how
certain Christian concepts began, but it also explains how each generation
can and will challenge these ideas.
Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought, Second
Edition (2012)
2. Dr. Nathan Busenitz begins his lecture by says that generally, most Evangelical
Protestants are clueless when it comes to understanding the history of the church.
He also says that most Christians do not understand the details of church history. It
is sad to say that most Christians do not understand ¾ of early Christian history.
He makes a good point in his example of how most of us feel that church history
fell off a cliff after John died and so on… His next reason is that God is at work in
History and it is a testimony of God's sovereign providence. The study of church
history is about studying the faithfulness of God working through people to fulfill
His purpose on earth.
3. Historical theology proves us with great examples of Love, faith, forgiveness,
redemption, judgment, hope, and God's mercy. Historical theology helps the
minister understand the difference between what biblical canon is and what is a
fallacy. Historical theology helps us understand our relationship with God that we
serve and his relationship with us. Historical theology helps a minister guard
against the ideas of humanistic individualism which modern society is now.
4. Historical theology is the discipline that studies the interpretation of Scripture
and the theological formulation of the church in the past. Biblical theology looks at
Scripture broadly and reminds us that God does not give us the Bible all at once.
Instead, God progressively reveals himself and his ways to his people over time.
, Systematic theology, by contrast, systematic theology, raises and answers the
question: What are we to believe and do today by all that the Bible affirms on any
particular topic. I understand the word "systematic" to mean "carefully organized
by topics." That means it's different from random theology or disorganized
theology." Church history gives us the who, what, where, and when of a Christian
past.
Allison, G. (n.d.). What is Historical Theology? Retrieved July 18, 2020, from
https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/what-is-historical-theology
5.McGrath states that it is difficult for us to understand today some of the
philosophical issues that the patristic fathers had to deal with, like Platonism, and
Neoplatonism. Historical Background of Patristic Theology many matters during
that time had to be addressed such as the relationship between Judaism and
Christianity, Gentiles converts should they be circumcised as the Jewish leaders
confessed? What about the persecuted Christians by the state?
McGrath, Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian
Thought (2nd Edition)
6.The patristic period witnessed a process of decision making, in which limits were
laid down to the New Testament – a process usually known as "the fixing of the
canon." The word "canon" needs explanation. It derives from the Greek word
kanon, meaning "a rule" or "a fixed reference point." The "canon of Scripture"
refers to a limited and defined group of writings, which are accepted as
authoritative within the Christian church. The role of tradition was a legacy from
the Apostles by which the church came to correct interpretation of Scripture. This
was to ensure that the church remained faithful to the teaching of the Apostles.
McGrath, Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian
Thought (2nd Edition) page, 43-44
Topic 1 and Topic 2 Reading Questions
1. McGrath stated that the purpose of historical theology to help us understand
Christian theology, Theology helps explain the context of Christian history
and the environment that produced it. Historical theology also explains how
certain Christian concepts began, but it also explains how each generation
can and will challenge these ideas.
Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought, Second
Edition (2012)
2. Dr. Nathan Busenitz begins his lecture by says that generally, most Evangelical
Protestants are clueless when it comes to understanding the history of the church.
He also says that most Christians do not understand the details of church history. It
is sad to say that most Christians do not understand ¾ of early Christian history.
He makes a good point in his example of how most of us feel that church history
fell off a cliff after John died and so on… His next reason is that God is at work in
History and it is a testimony of God's sovereign providence. The study of church
history is about studying the faithfulness of God working through people to fulfill
His purpose on earth.
3. Historical theology proves us with great examples of Love, faith, forgiveness,
redemption, judgment, hope, and God's mercy. Historical theology helps the
minister understand the difference between what biblical canon is and what is a
fallacy. Historical theology helps us understand our relationship with God that we
serve and his relationship with us. Historical theology helps a minister guard
against the ideas of humanistic individualism which modern society is now.
4. Historical theology is the discipline that studies the interpretation of Scripture
and the theological formulation of the church in the past. Biblical theology looks at
Scripture broadly and reminds us that God does not give us the Bible all at once.
Instead, God progressively reveals himself and his ways to his people over time.
, Systematic theology, by contrast, systematic theology, raises and answers the
question: What are we to believe and do today by all that the Bible affirms on any
particular topic. I understand the word "systematic" to mean "carefully organized
by topics." That means it's different from random theology or disorganized
theology." Church history gives us the who, what, where, and when of a Christian
past.
Allison, G. (n.d.). What is Historical Theology? Retrieved July 18, 2020, from
https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/what-is-historical-theology
5.McGrath states that it is difficult for us to understand today some of the
philosophical issues that the patristic fathers had to deal with, like Platonism, and
Neoplatonism. Historical Background of Patristic Theology many matters during
that time had to be addressed such as the relationship between Judaism and
Christianity, Gentiles converts should they be circumcised as the Jewish leaders
confessed? What about the persecuted Christians by the state?
McGrath, Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian
Thought (2nd Edition)
6.The patristic period witnessed a process of decision making, in which limits were
laid down to the New Testament – a process usually known as "the fixing of the
canon." The word "canon" needs explanation. It derives from the Greek word
kanon, meaning "a rule" or "a fixed reference point." The "canon of Scripture"
refers to a limited and defined group of writings, which are accepted as
authoritative within the Christian church. The role of tradition was a legacy from
the Apostles by which the church came to correct interpretation of Scripture. This
was to ensure that the church remained faithful to the teaching of the Apostles.
McGrath, Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian
Thought (2nd Edition) page, 43-44
