Greetings appreciated

students,
We would like to inform you that starting today we will begin with the reading reports. The following
The questionnaire will serve as a guide and reminder of your reading of the book Introduction to the
Theology of José Grau. The assigned reading for this first week of classes is from the
Lesson #1 to Lesson #20. The questions to be answered will cover up to this section of
book (Pages 25 - 111). All students must submit their answers before the next
Saturday (13-06-20).
Cheer up, the Lord them
bless you.

Course questionnaire:
Introduction to the
Theology

Lesson 1

1-. What do you understand by Theology?

It is the study, through reason, of what God has revealed about Himself in the Scriptures.
Scriptures, of their creation and their plan of redemption.

Is Theology a science?

Indeed, it is a science. Because it requires a sequence of steps that is carried out in

based on what God has revealed about Himself.
She does not create, but rather discovers existing facts. She tries to demonstrate unity and
harmony of all discovered content. With the Bible as the source, while God is the
supreme object of study.

3.- Define Biblical Theology.

It is the study of what God has revealed in His word, in an inductive and progressive manner.
considering history. And its goal is to obtain not only the study of the deity, but also to look with
details the redemptive plan.
4-. What is Systematic Theology?

It is the study of what God has revealed in His word, as a whole. Although it is presented in
in an orderly and systematic manner, in its organic and structural character, does not aim to be detailed in
the historical context of each detail, but in an orderly manner, show the total for each
revealed doctrine.

Lesson 2

5-. What do we understand by historical or dogmatic theology?

Historical theology deals with the impact that the church of the Lord has experienced, due to
understanding the revelation of God, from the end of the apostolic era to our days.
It is about acquiring greater understanding through meditation and study.
the confessions of different professions; even of the theological debates that have
presented in the history.
Define practical theology or Ethics.

It is practical theology. It is the result of what we have been affected by, with biblical theology and
systematic. It is how we put into practice in our lives a behavior consistent with what
what we have understood.

7-. Enumerate the most important divisions of Theology.

Biblical theology
Systematic Theology
Historical theology
Ethical theology.

Lesson 3

8-. Explain the Catholic-Roman concept of Theology.

Basically, they communicate that what God has revealed about Himself is obtained through
Catholic Church, as they consider themselves the essential means by which God continues
revealing himself to his people. Not only do they not believe in scripture alone, but they also add
other uninspired books as a source of revelation are placed above the word of
God. They believe that tradition is also a means of oral revelation.
What does V. Subilia understand by 'The Church alone' in contrast to the principle
reformed
"Scripture Alone"?

He meant to say that the word of God is no longer the focus that illuminates the church, but rather it is the
church the light that illuminates the bible.

What has motivated the Roman church to issue infallible definitions?

Ecclesiastical swelling
11-. What place does the Bible hold in Catholic-Roman theology?

The last place

Lesson 4

12-. Indicate the three aspects of subjective theology.

Reason, feelings, or conscience.

13-. What is rationalism?

It is the placement of human reason, as the sovereign source, through which one obtains the
revelation.
14-. Is rationalism reasonable?

Well, when it disconnects from the divine revelation, transmitted in the word of God, it remains in the
darkness, with an ocean of endless doubts and frustrations.
15-. Explain the position of Scheler.

Particular experience, in contrast to any objective standard of truth or conduct.

It focuses on the experience of feelings. It is the radically opposite side of the
rationalism.
16-. Explain Kant's stance.

The knowledge we can obtain through intelligence is not reliable. It is more

reliable to rely on the basic moral impulses of the human soul.

Lesson 5
17-. What philosophical system does neo-orthodox theology owe its debt to?

From existentialist philosophy.

18-. What is the fundamental characteristic of evangelical theology?

To place the written word of God as the fundamental basis of the objective truth of God.
This, in turn, affects reason and emotions, promoting a life that leans towards honoring.
to the creator.

19-. What value does ecclesial tradition have for theological reflection?

It is of great importance, for although ecclesiastical tradition is not placed on the same level as the
word of God, we must recognize that God has given His church a level of enlightenment
different from his children. Therefore, what God has done must be studied historically
illuminating his people, based on and in accordance with his written word.
20-. Should theology isolate itself from the concerns of the people of God and close itself off in
your ivory tower?

In no way, then, since theology is the study of what God has revealed about Himself
Likewise, it is of vital importance that his people know him. His people must also know how
is that God saves him and why. Therefore, theology deals with what we must know about
God and how we must respond to what we have understood of Him.

Lesson 6

21-. What triple base does Strong present to indicate the possibility of theological knowledge?

- In the existence of God who has relationships with the universe.

- In the capacity of the human mind to know God and certain of these relationships,
- In the provision that God Himself has made to establish contact with us, that is,
his self-revelation.
22-. Indicate the various methods of theological knowledge.

- The deductive method.

- The inductive method.
23-. For which section of the theological work is the inductive method most suitable?

For biblical theology

24-. For which section of theological work is the deductive method most suitable?

For systematic theology

Lesson 7

25-. What do you think are the limits of theological knowledge?

- The finiteness of human understanding. Job 11:7; Romans 11:33 we cannot know everything.
- The imperfect state of the other sciences, both natural and metaphysical (philosophy) or
morales.
- The inadequacy of human language.
- The incompleteness of our knowledge of the scriptures.
- The silence of the biblical revelation on certain matters.
- The lack of spiritual discernment.

26-. In what way does theology make us humble?

Because our capacity to love and know is imperfect.

27-. What consequences does John 7:17 have for our study of divine truth?

It establishes an indissoluble connection between the state of our will and the possibilities of
our understanding. That is to say, our understanding of the deity, although partial,
must be acquired through the involvement of our entire being.
28-. The fact of knowing only partially, does it mean that we do not possess a
true knowledge of God?

No, it means that our (limited) capabilities only allow us to have an understanding
partial, of everything he has revealed about himself.

Lesson 8

29-. What are the major themes of Biblical theology?

The central theme is the cross of Christ, the focal point of all theology.
The covenant of God with men.
30-. What gives Scripture its basic unity?

The fruit of the saving will of the triune God.

The father calls that salvation

The son carries out that salvation.
The application of the Holy Spirit

31-. How does the doctrine of the covenant provide a unifying element of the
Revelation
Biblical?

Because it gives meaning and unity to the development of what God has revealed in the Scriptures, of Himself.
same and the theme of salvation.

Lesson 9

32-. What are the main themes of systematic theology?

- The existence of God.

- The Scripture as the revelation of God.
- The nature of God, his decrees and his works.
- Man, from his original likeness to God and his consequent depravity.
- Redemption, through the work of Christ and by the Holy Spirit.
- The nature of the Christian church.
- The end of the current state of affairs.
33-. Why should the treatise on revelation be the first chapter of theology?

Firstly, because revelation is a fact.

Secondly, because it is then the foundation and the theological justification.
34-. What have been the major themes of historical theology over the centuries?

Apologetics. Second Century

Theological disputes about the nature of God. 3rd and 4th centuries
- Anthropological controversies. 5th century
- Christological controversies. 5th Century 7th
- Soteriological controversies. 16th century
- Soteriological controversies, XVI
- Controversy with rationalism, Romanism, and existentialism. XVII XX
- Eschatological controversy within the bosom of Christianity.

Lesson 10

35-. Who were the most prominent theologians of the East in the first period of
the history of the Church?

- Origen, the first systematic theologian.

- Athanasius, the great defender of the divinity of Jesus.
- Juan Damascene, creator of the first work of systematic theology.
36-. Indicate the contribution of Augustine

The trinity
The grace
Biblical anthropology.
37-. Who were the most prominent theologians during the Middle Ages?

Anselm, on the doctrine of atonement. 1033-1109

Pedro Lombardo. 1164
Thomas Aquinas. 1221-1274
John Duns Scotus. 1265-1308
38-. What doctrines occupied the attention of theologians during the Reformation?

The superiority of the Bible over the church.

Salvation by faith alone.
The doctrine of the sacraments.
39-. Mention some of the most prominent theologians of the modern period.

America.

Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758

Cambridge Trio:

B. F. Wescott. 1825-1901
J. B. Lightfoot. 1828-1889
F.J.A.Hort. 1828.1892
James Orr

Germany:

E.W. Hegnstenberg 1802-1869

Theodor Zahn. 1838-1933

United States
Charles Hodge
B.B. Warfield 1851-1921
G.Voz. Stonehouse.
J.G. Machen.
H.A. Strong.

Netherlands

Abraham Kuyper
H. Bavink
Berkouwer
Dooyewerd
Bernard Raan
Carl. H. F.
Henry James I
packer
Klaas Runia.
Harold Kuhn
Henry Blocher

Bultmann, Tillich, Robinson

Lesson 11

40-. Can we attain a clear and correct knowledge of God if God himself does not give himself?
to know?
It is impossible.

41-. Define General Revelation.

It is the universal information that we receive from God, through all of creation and the
laws that govern it, through human reason, the history of humanity and experience
personal.
42-. Is General Revelation sufficient?

In order to leave man without excuse before God, yes. But so that he may be known in relation to
his person, nature and redemptive purposes, no.

43-. Why do you think that General Revelation has ceased to have power over
many men in our days?
Indifference
Religious ignorance.
Atheism
The ideologies of our time.
44-. Explain 'The Malleability of General Revelation'.

Lesson 12

45-. What does sin have to do with General Revelation?

Sin perverts our understanding as much as our feelings and will, and thus
it invalidates and renders ineffective the testimony of general revelation.

46-. What use does man usually make of his reason?

He/she boasts...
A vain, empty, and hollow use.
47-. What use does man usually make of his heart?

Due to its darkened state, its use is null for knowing God. It only leads man to
the foolishness.

Does man have an excuse for his disbelief?

In no way... God has left behind the necessary information for us to...
man acknowledge the existence of God, bow down in gratitude and recognize his need
of him.
49-. How are General Revelation and the Wrath of God related?

They relate in the sense of what man should do and believe, due to the screams that
God gives himself through general revelation. But man ignores it.
voluntarily.

Lesson 13

Explain the Biblical concept of 'Truth'.

The opposite of injustice and error. What is true and right before God, what is
just before their eyes.

What connection exists between sin and spiritual madness?

It's as if they were hand in hand. It's a connection that is shown in the content of the
Scriptures.

Lesson 14
52-. Why does General Revelation accuse us?

Denounces our sin of indifference and disbelief. It witnesses our pride, our
vanity and our spiritual folly. Despite all the compelling evidence, we do not
we recognize in our lives.
Aren't the psalms of nature proof that man, merely contemplating
Is the universe capable of rising to the knowledge of truth?

Yes, that is what is contemplated in the Scriptures.

54-. Explain the Catholic doctrine on General Revelation as it was presented by the
Vatican I (schema Of Catholic Faith).
Do you think it's possible to reach a true knowledge of God through revelation?
general and the use of reason. That the scriptures are not really necessary to have that
true knowledge of God.
It is to overestimate reason above special revelation.

Lesson 15

55-. What does the insufficiency of General Revelation consist of? Is it insufficient in itself?
same or because of us?

It consists of only being able to show us some things about God, but not His nature.
his character or his redemptive plan.

Of course, she does show us a lot about God, but our fallen nature sees
darkly all the contribution that God is communicating of Himself through His creation.
56-. Explain Romans 1:20.

- The apostle mentions that the attributes of God have been seen (made evident) since the
creation of the world.
- It mentions that they are invisible things that belong to God.
- Power and deity.
- These are clearly, precisely, seen through the things made.
- Leaving man without excuse.

Creation is the evangelization that the father performs to men, but this, despite
Despite all that information, he refuses to humiliate himself before his creator.

57-. Summarize the Biblical doctrine of General Revelation.

- It is the universal revelation that God makes of Himself.

- Revelation that conveys a great level of information about the deity, but that does not
communicate what is necessary to know the person of God, our true condition before Him
he, nor his redemptive plan.
- There is a lot of information through general revelation, but our nature
sinful cannot contemplate so much wonder that communicates about our creator.
- Although this general revelation is not enough to communicate to us about the nature of
God, his character, nor his redemptive plan, is enough to leave men without excuse.

Lesson 16

Do you believe that the heart of man is a constant factory of idols?

Yes,
59-. What was Karl Barth's reaction to Catholic natural theology?

To avoid falling into natural theology, he went to the extreme of denying general revelation.

60-. What was the reaction of the Reform?

Recognize general revelation, but without falling into the error of natural theology. That is to say, that
The man, because of his fallen nature, corrupts and darkens information for himself.
that God conveys through general revelation.
61-. Indicate Barth's errors concerning General Revelation.

He believed that Christ was only a savior and also the only revealing agent.

He did not understand that Christ was the culmination of God's revelation. The ultimate revelation.

He denied that there was a revelation of God in the Old Testament. That it was barely shown.
signs that in the future the only revelation of God would arrive.

Lesson 17

62-. What opinion does Raymond Paniker's quote deserve?

He is blind, he does not clearly see the error he communicates with his statement. He does not see the uniqueness.
nor the exclusivity of what God has revealed about Himself.
Explain the modern neo-syncretic and universalist currents of Catholicism
Romans from Vatican II.

That all religions lead to Christ, and that Christ relates to men through
the medium of them.

64-. In what way does traditional Roman Catholic soteriology aid syncretism?
modern?

Roman Catholic theologians promote that one can find a true relationship with Christ.
through any religion. For these, according to them, are the great religions that have
used by God for such purpose.

65-. What is Common Grace?

It is the divine intervention that does not allow us to reach the limit of perversion to which
we could find our way if God left us to our fate.
Grace that communicates through the means of general revelation.
So, if men do something that is considered good, it is not because it is
correctly related to God, nor that the religion they profess holds the truth. It is about
common grace.

Lesson 18

66-. How can common grace explain what remains good in the world?

The works of nature, the consciousness of the individual, the historical becoming.
The action of the providence
The testimony of the people of God.
67-. Does it bring merit to man the positive things that are still possible to see in the world?

In no way, it is only due to common grace.

68-. In what sense can we speak of "flashes of light" outside of Special Revelation?

69-. How does Berkouwer define the response that man gives to General Revelation?

Despite the trend towards nihilism, modern man shows a continuous, and sometimes
violent, interest in the world. In many cases, this interest in creation does not mean,
you will be interested in the creator of heaven and earth...

Lesson 19

70-. Explain the basic tenets of Hinduism.

- The gods are the multiple expression of the repeated cycle of the seasons, or processes
natural, and they come thus personified by the spirits that it was believed were behind each
one of the forces and events of nature.
- The gods were part of the same nature. Pantheism.
- The gods are forces similar to each other, but generally hostile.
- The Canaanite cult was based on certain ideas about the magical efficacy of repetition.
signs and gestures, to promote a certain reality that was longed for.
- The cult meant taking sides with certain gods to help them overcome the chaos of others.
gods-demons who want to destroy the cyclical order of the seasons and regularity of the
nature.
71-. How would you define naturalistic neo-pantheism and
animism that occurs both in Canaanite religions and in India?

They are the evidence that man without the true God expresses his spiritual blindness and
moral, taking for himself gods created by his own mind. Moreover, he believes in any kind of
error that is proposed in the world.
72-. What process did the Vedas go through to become 'sacred' books?

73-. What are the fruits of Hinduism?

A religion without a personal God and without special revelation. A product of human reflections.
contradictory, without any supernatural sanction.

74-. What is Buddhism?

It is another brahmanic reflection.

75-. How did it originate?

It is due to an Aryan prince, who was named Buddha (the enlightened one).

Lesson 20
76-. What are the most positive elements of Buddhism?

The psychological elements that denote insight in introspection and understanding of

certain states of the psyche.
Define Nirvana.

To extinguish, eliminate personality, to end the self.

78-. What are the fruits of Buddhism?

Salvation not from sin, but from the self.

There is no personal salvation, but the escape from existence.
It is an atheism adapted to the Asian mindset.
Leave man to his own strengths and resources.