Study Guide

Introduction to Theology

Second Exam

Reviewing quizzes and glossaries is a good place to start in preparing for this exam.

1. Be able to define and explain the meanings of the following terms: patriarchy, economic trinity, immanent trinity, subordinationism, modalism, tritheism, koinonia, immutable, omnipotent, omniscient, predestination, double predestination, election, anthropocentrism, dominion, creatio ex nihilo, kenosis, Manichean dualism, theism, pantheism, panentheism, providence, natural evil, moral evil, theodicy.

2.  What did the Council of Nicea and the Council of Constantinople teach about the Trinity?  How was that teaching a rejection of subordinationism, modalism, and tritheism? 

3.  Be able to discuss Migliore’s relational view of the Trinity.  Why does he see it as a basis for social ethics?  How does it lead to a redefinition of immutability, omnipotence, and omniscience? 

4.  What problems does Migliore see with the traditional view of double predestination?  Explain why election is a better way to talk about predestination?  

5.  What is one of the traditional interpretations of the doctrine of creation that has been harmful from an ecological perspective?  Relate this interpretation to the idea of “dominion” and how it has been misused in Christian tradition. 

6.  According to Migliore and lectures, what does scripture really say about dominion? 

7.  Be able to briefly summarize Migliore’s understanding of the doctrine of creation.  Do you agree or disagree with him? 

8.  Be prepared to discuss the models of creation discussed on pp. 92-95.  Which model does Migliore prefer and why?  Which do you prefer and why? 

9.  How does Migliore understand the relationship of the doctrine of creation to the theories of modern science, such as evolution?  Why does he think they are complementary? 

10.  Be able to state the logical formulation of the problem of evil discussed in class.  What are the three traditional responses to the problem of evil presented by Migliore?  Do you agree with any of them?  Why or why not? 

11.  What is the difference between saying God is omnipotent and God is omnicausal?  In what sense can we say that evil is nothingness? 

12.  Explain the main ideas of protest theodicy, process theodicy, person-making theodicy, and liberation theodicy.  Where do you find yourself on this issue and why? 

13.  Migliore says, “God is present with the creatures both as co-agent and co-sufferer” who has chosen to be vulnerable (115).  How does that differ from process theodicy? 

14.  What five interpretations of the imago dei does Migliore present?  Which does he follow and why? 

15.  How does Migliore understand the nature of sin and human fallenness?  Do you agree or disagree with him and why? 

16.  How does Migliore understand the new humanity that one experiences in Christ?  

 

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