Christian Theology: An Eschatological Approach (Christian Theology)

706 Pages·1987·1.88 MB·English

by  Thomas N. Finger

Christian Theology Vol. 1 / : An
title:
Eschatological Approach
author: Finger, Thomas N.
publisher: Herald Press
isbn10 | asin: 0836134532
print isbn13: 9780836134537
ebook isbn13: 9780585252223
language: English
subject Theology, Doctrinal, Eschatology.
publication date: 1987
lcc: BT75.2.F55 1987eb
ddc: 230
subject: Theology, Doctrinal, Eschatology.
Page 3
Christian Theology
An Eschatological Approach:
Volume I
Thomas N. Finger
HERALD PRESS
Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Kitchener, Ontario
Page 4
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Finger, Thomas N.
Christian theology.
Reprint. Originally published: Nashville: T. Nelson,
c1985-
Includes bibliographies.
1. Theology, Doctrinal. 2. Eschatology. I. Title.
BT75.2.F55 1987 230 87-14823
ISBN 0-8361-3453-2 (v. 1)
Scripture quotations noted are from the author's translation or from
the Revised
Standard Version of the Bible, copyrighted 1946, 1952, © 1971, 1973.
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY, Volume 1
Copyright © 1985 by Thomas N. Finger
Published by Herald Press, Scottdale, Pa. 15683
Published simultaneously in Canada by Herald Press,
Kitchener, Ont. N2G 4M5. All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 87-14823
International Standard Book Number: 0-8361-3453-2
Printed in the United States of America
87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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Contents
Preface 9
1 11
Systematic Theology: An Historical Introduction
I. The Bible 13
II. The Patristic Period 14
III. Medieval Theology 18
IV. The Reformation 21
V. Protestant Orthodoxy 24
VI. Liberal Theology 26
VII. Neo-Orthodox Theology 27
2 31
Why Systematic Theology?
I. Objections to Systematic Theology 32
II. The Fundamental Task of Theology 35
III. The Value of Systematic Theology 40
3 47
What Is Systematic Theology?
I. Theological Reasoning 48
II. The Norm and Criteria of Theology 53
III. The Divisions of Theology 57
4 61
Contextual Theologies
I. Traditional Catholicism 62
II. Liberal Theology 64
III. Existential Theology 71
IV. Liberation Theologies 74
5 79
Kerygmatic Theologies
I. Early Reformed Theology 80
II. Believers' Church Theologies 84
III. Protestant Orthodoxy 88
IV. Neo-orthodoxy 93
6 99
An Eschatological Approach to Theology
I. The Eschatological Perspective 100
II. The Order of Systematic Theology 103
III. Approaches to Eschatology 107
Page 6
7 117
Subjective and Objective Eschatology
I. The Theological Function of the Kerygma 118
II. The Subjective Dimension of Eschatology 120
III. The Objective Dimension of Eschatology 125
8 135
The Resurrection, the Last Judgment, and Universalism
I. The Resurrection of the Dead 136
II. The Last Judgment 143
III. Universalism 148
9 155
Heaven and Hell, the Return of Christ, and the
Millennium
I. Heaven and Hell 156
II. The Return of Christ 162
III. The Coming of the Millennium 168
10 177
Revelation as Personal
I. Revelation: An Historical Overview 179
II. Revelation as Personal 182
11 195
Revelation as Historical
I. "Special" Revelation through History 196
II. Revelation as Personal and Historical 201
III. "General'' Revelation through History 205
12 213
Revelation as Propositional
I. The Canonical Context 214
II. The Total Truthfulness of Scripture 217
III. Objections to the Total Truthfulness of Scripture 226
13 235
Special and General Revelation
I. Tradition 236
II. Discerning God's Revelation 243
III. From Special to General Revelation 245
IV. General Revelation 247
V. Revelation: Summary 255
14 257
Approaches to Christology
I. General Considerations 259
II. Kerygmatic Approaches to Christ 260
III. Contextual Approaches to Christ 265
IV. Christ as Fulfillment of the Promise 271
Page 7
15 277
The Life of Jesus Christ
I. The Ministry of Jesus 278
II. The Great Reversal 282
III. The Kingdom and the Demonic 291
IV. Dimensions of God's Kingdom 298
16 303
Perspectives on the Death of Jesus Christ
I. The Substitutionary (Objective) Model 304
II. The Moral Influence (Subjective) Model 310
III. The Christus Victor Model 317
17 325
The Meaning of the Death of Jesus Christ
I. The Main Purpose of Jesus' Saving Work 326
II. How Did Christ Bear God's Judgment? 327
III. How Did Christ Defeat the Powers? 332
IV. For What Does Christ Save Us? 338
V. Jesus' Death as a Sacrifice 343
VI. Atonement and Rationality 346
18 349
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
I. The Meaning of Jesus' Resurrection 350
II. The Nature of Jesus' Resurrection 359
III. Conclusions 364
Page 9
Preface
The two volumes of my eschatological approach to theology are
designed for two main purposes. First, to provide a clear, readable
beginning text for seminary and college religion courses, for pastors,
for Christian workers, and hopefully for all persons having a good
knowledge of Scripture and a desire to think and learn. Second, to do
systematic theology in a manner which has never before been
attempted. At first glance, two such purposes may seem incompatible.
The introductory material needed by beginning students may seem
overly cumbersome in an effort which stretches towards new frontiers.
Contrariwise, an attempt to articulate problems and solutions in novel
fashion may seem beyond the grasp of beginners.
These two emphases, however, mutually support and enrich each
other. On one hand, in seeking to do theology differently, I do not
pursue novelty for novelty's sake. I seek to wrestle with the major
issues handed down through theological tradition, and to develop
positions profoundly refined through this dialogue and thoroughly
grounded in Scripture. To write theology in this way, however,
involves reexamining its fundamental themes, historical schools, and
biblical foundations in a thorough, patient manner. Accordingly,
Chapters 1, 4, 5, 14, and 17 of Volume I consist largely of such
material. Knowledgeable readers may wish to skim or skip them. But
they should be aware that the exposition and dialogue which begin
there is integral to the overall enterprise.
On the other hand, the effort to do theology freshly and creatively
should not be left to experts in the field. As I shall argue (especially in
Chap. 2), theology is rightly the activity of the entire Church. All
Christians should be deeply sensitive to the challenges of their
particular time and place, and