☪️Religions of the West Unit 6 – Christian Theology & Core Doctrines

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Monotheism belief in one God who is the creator and ruler of the universe
• Trinity doctrine that God is three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in one divine being
• Christology study of the nature and person of Jesus Christ, including his divinity and humanity
• Soteriology doctrine of salvation, particularly through faith in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection
• Ecclesiology study of the nature, structure, and mission of the Christian church
• Eschatology beliefs about the end times, including the Second Coming of Christ, final judgment, and eternal life
• Sacraments sacred rituals or ceremonies believed to be means of divine grace (Baptism, Eucharist)
• Atonement Christ's death on the cross as a sacrifice for human sin and the means of reconciliation with God

Historical Context and Development

• Early Christianity emerged in the 1st century CE within the context of Second Temple Judaism
• Spread of Christianity facilitated by missionary efforts, particularly those of the Apostle Paul
• Persecution of early Christians by Roman authorities until the 4th century CE
• Constantine's conversion and the Edict of Milan (313 CE) legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire
• Ecumenical councils (Nicaea, Constantinople) established orthodox Christian doctrines and creeds
• Monasticism developed as a form of spiritual devotion and asceticism, with figures like St. Anthony and St. Benedict
• East-West Schism (1054 CE) divided Christianity into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic branches
  • Differences in theology, liturgy, and ecclesiastical authority
• Protestant Reformation (16th century) challenged Catholic doctrines and practices, leading to the formation of Protestant denominations

Core Doctrines and Beliefs

• Creation God as the creator of the universe and all life, with humans created in God's image
• Original Sin doctrine that humans inherit a sinful nature due to the Fall of Adam and Eve
• Incarnation belief that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God who became fully human
• Crucifixion and Resurrection Jesus' death on the cross as an atoning sacrifice and his bodily resurrection on the third day
• Salvation by Grace through Faith belief that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ rather than earned by good works
• Second Coming belief in the future return of Jesus Christ to judge the living and the dead
• Heaven and Hell eternal destinations for the righteous (heaven) and the unrighteous (hell) after death or final judgment
• Sanctification process of spiritual growth and becoming more Christlike through the work of the Holy Spirit

Biblical Foundations

• Old Testament scriptures that lay the foundation for Christian beliefs, including prophecies of the Messiah
• New Testament writings that focus on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the early church
• Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) narratives of Jesus' life, ministry, and teachings
• Epistles letters written by early Christian leaders (Paul, Peter, James) to churches and individuals, addressing theological and practical issues
  • Pauline Epistles (Romans, Corinthians, Galatians) emphasize key doctrines like justification by faith
• Acts of the Apostles historical account of the early church's growth and the spread of Christianity
• Revelation apocalyptic vision of the end times and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom
• Biblical inspiration belief that the Bible is divinely inspired and authoritative for Christian faith and practice
• Biblical interpretation various approaches to understanding and applying scripture (literal, allegorical, historical-grammatical)

Major Theological Thinkers

• St. Augustine (354-430 CE) influential in developing doctrines of original sin, predestination, and the Trinity
  • Works: Confessions, City of God
• St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) synthesized Christian theology with Aristotelian philosophy, emphasizing natural law and the compatibility of faith and reason
  • Works: Summa Theologica
• Martin Luther (1483-1546) initiated the Protestant Reformation, emphasizing sola scriptura (scripture alone) and justification by faith alone
  • Works: 95 Theses, On the Bondage of the Will
• John Calvin (1509-1564) developed Reformed theology, including doctrines of predestination and the sovereignty of God
  • Works: Institutes of the Christian Religion
• Karl Barth (1886-1968) emphasized the transcendence of God and the centrality of Christ in theology
  • Works: Church Dogmatics
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) German theologian who resisted the Nazi regime and explored the cost of discipleship
  • Works: The Cost of Discipleship, Ethics

Denominations and Interpretations

• Roman Catholicism largest Christian denomination, emphasizing papal authority, sacraments, and tradition alongside scripture
• Eastern Orthodoxy second-largest denomination, emphasizing the role of tradition, liturgy, and mysticism
• Protestantism diverse group of denominations that emerged from the Reformation, emphasizing scripture and justification by faith
  • Lutheranism follows the teachings of Martin Luther, emphasizing grace and the priesthood of all believers
  • Calvinism (Reformed tradition) follows the teachings of John Calvin, emphasizing predestination and God's sovereignty
  • Anglicanism (Church of England) maintains elements of Catholic liturgy while embracing Protestant doctrines
  • Baptists emphasize believer's baptism, congregational autonomy, and the separation of church and state
  • Pentecostalism emphasizes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues and divine healing
• Non-Trinitarian groups (Jehovah's Witnesses, Latter-day Saints) hold beliefs that differ from mainstream Trinitarian Christianity

Practical Applications and Worship

• Liturgy formal structure of public worship, including prayers, readings, and rituals
• Sacraments sacred rituals believed to convey divine grace (Baptism, Eucharist/Communion)
  • Baptism initiation rite symbolizing purification and entrance into the Christian community
  • Eucharist (Lord's Supper) commemoration of Jesus' last meal with his disciples, believed to be a means of receiving Christ's presence
• Prayer communication with God, including adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication
• Worship gatherings (church services) for communal prayer, teaching, and fellowship
• Spiritual disciplines practices to foster spiritual growth (prayer, fasting, Bible study, service)
• Missions and evangelism efforts to share the Christian faith and message with others
• Social justice and charity application of Christian principles to address societal issues and care for the needy
• Pastoral care and counseling spiritual guidance and support provided by clergy or lay leaders

Contemporary Challenges and Debates

• Secularization increasing separation of religion from public life and decline in religious affiliation in some societies
• Pluralism and interfaith dialogue engaging with diverse religious traditions in an increasingly interconnected world
• Science and faith exploring the relationship between scientific findings and Christian beliefs
  • Creation and evolution debate over the compatibility of evolutionary theory with the biblical account of creation
• Sexuality and gender issues discussions on topics such as same-sex marriage, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and women's roles in the church
• Social and political engagement balancing Christian values with participation in public discourse and policy-making
• Environmentalism and creation care applying Christian principles to address ecological concerns and stewardship of the earth
• Globalization and contextualization adapting Christian teachings and practices to diverse cultural contexts
• Ecumenism and unity efforts to foster understanding and cooperation among different Christian denominations