page 13

 13

centuries might help to refresh us... chuller--the lenes of selffulfillment through the scrs are now intermp in the new sy of theol of R Schuller (103) The PProphetic Paradox..partof the power of the prophetic voice lies in its distance from the mainstream values of the culture, but yet the underlyng value of the popular dissent in Am. sson tends to tranform this dis voices into mainstream(112) Theol responsibiliites--the modern theol must be congizant of the power of language & the contentiosn taht accmpany words in the mdrn world (112)) Missionar- the missionry enc of th gsp with the mdrn world will,like eery tr mss.. enc..call for radical convesion,t his willl not be only a conversion of the wiill, but a conversionof the mind (116) Evang Thel "part of the task of the evang theol is to lay bare the fundm assumptions of a culture-- assumptions that characteristicaly go unnoticed by that culture (119).. Paul--- "no one is able to claim ignorance in regard to a knowledge of God [some rebelagaint the knowing, others listen] Both Jew & Gentile rebel and distort the beliefs..2nd --Gd God is merciful brings redemption to the people (127) Innate human capacity...many theolgin through the centures have suggested that there is an innate human capacity... to believe in God, ..were it not for the fact that this innate human capaciy has been suppressed by sin, we would believe in God with the sme kind of Spontanieyt that we beleive in the ext around us (125) Trajectory of theol--a rambling chptr which only recaps a kdjs of philosophy.. Finally to the point "granting that the SPirit phy ansd substantil d decisiove roe in persuading us of the validity of belief in God, we might still ask what responsbiity remains for us as Christians to those who do not yet believe (131) Incarnate jesus..if the scriptures declare theat Jesus was God incarnate, then it may be incumbered upon the bliever to wrestle witht eh Q of how this is possible, rather that if it is possible (e.g. toward a Chalcedonian defn & away from a kenoite theory). C.S. Lewis--- a man who has lived in many places is not likely to be decieved by the local errors of his native village (139).. Exploring pract theol Visions to skdj a more modern day relevant theol---however he reminds reader " the best theolgy is intensely personal" (144) Luther (justif by faith)--Calvin--emph H.Spirit in interp... Calvin--how many masters of teh Word sees who are so poorly trained in Holy Scripture.. from the have neer made a habit of molding themselves entierely to the language of the Holy Spirt,a s good scholars..(161).. More than J. Calvi, interesting & imp to note that the Reformation was formed m=nymore thatn just J. Calvin..it i also included Vermigli, Bulllinger, Bucer, Zanchi, Beza, Hyperius, & Musclulus... Edwards Puritans ..redemption theme....Gerhard Vos.. adv Bibl theol as ksdjf ito syst cell syst theol organizes Bib in a thematic or topic

ERRORS

8

chalcedon kenstic Reformatio Fathers

Avoid PLURALISM 1) Nether

Ignore

theme....Gerhard Vos.. adv Bibl theol as ksdjf ito syst Jizell syst theol organizes Bib in a thematic or topic fashion...Bib theol organizes mterl in a hist framework.."draws a line" (84) discuss the inhere of org structe in the hist or drdemption revealed inthe Sercomeback of the --schlars of religon some to be gaining a better bearing..churches iwth interest in suce, hist doctrines the incarnation & te resuurrection have flourished (192).. Modern or post theol..."there is not single ..s.sdkdtheol movement of dominant theol movement at this time, so there is not singier fgr that towers over the theol field in the manner that a Barth, or Bultmann, or Tillich did (195).. "seeks to avoid both the extreme of ignoring pluralism and the extreme of wallowing in it.." (203) Bibl teleolog "the conviction that hist moves in keeping with the

2) NOP WAL purposeful plan of God" Enlightenement attacked this (207) Too much kdkdkd M. Tyler suggests that even Deceptive INFLUENCES SIN

of

subj auth must be kdj sin p-mdrn age..--the ideas of s/f allied with God must be rejected (210) Post mdrn nsm subjects everyting to crit (212) Rorty asserts pragmatism science inquiry rjects Enlight foundationlsm (221) Evang. Theo Framework not drive by the conviction of universlms but exclusivism with respect to redemptive truth (240) thus as a result, it is driven by a desire to uncover te deceptive influences of sin,

whatever the source may be, personal, cultural, traditional, or the like. And such influences are most easily! MIMIZES

detected in encounters with p. who are different (240) Pluralism--- evang's must resist the post mod.. fasication with pluralism which downplays the importance of truth (250)... Libertn thel- demonstrated a special fondness for Marxist pol theory, deconst lit theory... Unfortunately, using a variety of lang theories which de-emph the hist read of the Bible the P.M. theol is able to enter into the intentionalit of the Scr[s [ in a new way]...unfortunately, this porcess allows the Bibkle to end up sayng anything the critic wants it to say (254)..Evangs' have traditionally emphasized the speec of God to the neglect of the acts of God (264) Redempt. Theo--the essence of thel is the interpretation fo the hist of redemptin (268)... Theol (x3) exegetical dealing with the lit analyiss biblical dealing with the hist analysis systematic dealing with a topical arr...Exmple evang theol may be inclined to make a logical consideration of the attributes of God central to their framework,despite the fact that a descrptn of God's activity, phy a more central role in the Scriptures than does a description of his attributes (272).. Which epoch ismodern church in? clearly in th eperiod btw the two comings of Christ, btwn the incarnation and the parousia" (278).. Comment---it begins to show itself as an overview oftheol...redemption, redemption, redemption, redemtion... Theol vision, -- part of the intended goal of a theol vision is the demyth of modern cultures..church proclamation "called to

goal of

Heal Vision: demyth Cultures

Mod.

50

PLURALISM TRUTH

Evang.

Mimesis

MORE

Here’s a careful reconstruction of fragment 13 into a structured, study-ready format:

---

1. Narrative (Main Flow / Reconstructed Text)

Modern theology faces the dual challenge of remaining faithful to historic Christian truths while engaging a pluralistic, post-modern culture. R. Schuller and others emphasize self-fulfillment through Scripture, but the prophetic paradox lies in how the prophetic voice is both distant from and influential on mainstream culture. Theologians must be aware of the power of language and the assumptions embedded in modern discourse.

Missionary theology requires radical conversion, affecting both mind and will, and the evangelical theologian’s task is to expose the fundamental assumptions of a culture that often go unnoticed. Both Jews and Gentiles are capable of rebelling against or distorting knowledge of God, yet God remains merciful and brings redemption. Many theologians have noted an innate human capacity to believe in God, suppressed only by sin. Even granting the Spirit a decisive role in persuading belief, Christians still bear responsibility for reaching those who do not yet believe.

The incarnation of Jesus raises critical questions for believers, including engaging with the Chalcedonian definition rather than kenotic theories. Practical theology reminds us that the best theology is intensely personal, and historical figures such as Luther, Calvin, and other Reformation scholars shaped theology not only through doctrine but also through their emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s guidance in Scripture interpretation. Puritans like Edwards emphasized redemption, while Gerhard Vos advanced Biblical theology organized thematically or historically, distinguishing it from systematic theology.

Modern and post-modern theology recognize pluralism as a reality. There is no single dominant theological movement today comparable to Barth, Bultmann, or Tillich. Evangelical theology must resist post-modern fascination with pluralism, which can downplay the importance of truth. Instead, it emphasizes exclusivism regarding redemptive truth and seeks to uncover deceptive influences of sin, whether personal, cultural, or traditional.

Theological frameworks should balance God’s speech (Scripture) and God’s acts (redemptive history). Evangelical theology often prioritizes logical considerations of God’s attributes, but Scripture places central importance on God’s activity. Modern church life occurs between the two comings of Christ, i.e., between the incarnation and the parousia, and theology should focus on redemption, demythologizing modern cultures, and faithful proclamation.

---

Here’s a structured and clarified version of Note 13 on Theology, Mission, and Modern Challenges: 

Notes & Observations 

---

The Prophetic and Missionary Paradox

• Self-fulfillment vs. Prophetic Voice:

  • R. Schuller emphasizes “self-fulfillment through Scripture” in modern theology.

  • Prophetic power lies in being distant from mainstream culture, yet popular dissent often gets absorbed into the mainstream.

• Theologian’s Responsibilities:

  • Must be aware of the power of language and cultural assumptions.

  • Missionary work requires radical conversion of both mind and will.

• Evangelical Theology:

  • Task: uncover fundamental cultural assumptions often unnoticed by society.

  • Paul’s principle: no one can claim ignorance of God; rebellion or distortion occurs in both Jew and Gentile.

  • God’s mercy is central: offers redemption despite human rebellion.

---

Human Capacity and Belief

• Many theologians argue there is an innate human capacity to believe in God, suppressed by sin.

• Belief in God could be as spontaneous as belief in the external world if not for sin.

• Role of the Spirit: persuades humans of the validity of belief, yet Christians retain responsibility to the non-believing.

---

Incarnation and Scriptural Engagement

• Incarnation: believers wrestle with “how” God became incarnate rather than “if” it was possible (toward Chalcedonian definition, against kenotic theories).

• C.S. Lewis: exposure to multiple contexts prevents being deceived by local errors.

• Practical theology: modern relevance requires personal engagement; the best theology is intensely personal.

---

Reformation and Biblical Theology

• Key Reformers beyond Calvin: Vermigli, Bullinger, Bucer, Zanchi, Beza, Hyperius, Musculus.

• Themes: redemption, the role of the Holy Spirit in interpretation, careful scriptural exegesis.

• Gerhard Vos:

  • Advanced Biblical theology as thematic/systematic.

  • Historical organization of Scripture illuminates the trajectory of redemption.

• Modern/postmodern theology: no single dominant figure (contrast to Barth, Bultmann, Tillich).

---

Pluralism, Modernity, and Postmodern Challenges

• Evangelicals must avoid naïve pluralism, which downplays absolute truth.

• Modern/postmodern trends:

  • Criticism of Enlightenment foundations

  • Subjectivity, pragmatism, deconstruction

  • Risk: Bible can be interpreted to “say anything critics want”

• Evangelical theology emphasizes God’s speech and redemptive acts over abstract attributes.

• Redemption is the central theological lens; theology interprets history in light of God’s redemptive action.

---

The Church’s Epoch

• Current church period: between Christ’s incarnation and parousia.

• Goal: demythologize modern cultures and call the church to faithful proclamation.

• Theological vision:

  • Engage modern culture critically

  • Resist pluralism that ignores truth

  • Emphasize redemption, mission, and faithful witness

---

If you want, I can synthesize Notes 13–15 into a single “Modern Evangelical Theology and Spiritual Formation” guide that integrates prophetic responsibility, moral formation, and prayer. This would make a comprehensive study document. Do you want me to do that?

2. Notes (Annotations / Commentary)

• Prophetic paradox: prophetic voices challenge yet influence mainstream culture.

• Missionary theology: calls for radical conversion of mind and will.

• Evangelical theology: exposes cultural assumptions, emphasizes redemption.

• Innate human capacity for belief: suppressed by sin.

• Incarnation: theological engagement with Chalcedonian orthodoxy, not kenotic theories.

• Historical theology: personal, shaped by Reformers and Puritans, emphasizes Scripture and redemption.

• Biblical vs systematic theology: Vos emphasizes thematic/historical organization.

• Pluralism and post-modernism: must resist relativizing truth, maintain redemptive exclusivity.

• Redemptive theology: integrates God’s acts (historical redemption) and speech (Scripture).

• Modern church context: between incarnation and parousia, theology focused on redemption and demythologizing culture.

---

3. Key Terms / Concepts

• Here are clear, theological-style definitions for your latest Key Terms / Concepts set — written to fit seamlessly with your seminary glossary series:

  ---

  📘 Key Terms / Concepts

  ---

  Prophetic Paradox
  The tension between being within a culture yet against it. The prophetic voice must critique societal norms while remaining compassionate and redemptive. It embodies truth-telling that is both confrontational and hopeful—challenging injustice and idolatry while calling people back to covenant faithfulness.

  ---

  Radical Conversion (Mind and Will)
  Conversion is not mere intellectual assent but a total reorientation of the mind (nous) and will (voluntas) toward God. It involves repentance, renewal of thought, and submission of personal autonomy to divine lordship—uniting faith and obedience as one transformative act of grace.

  ---

  Cultural Assumptions
  The often-unexamined beliefs, values, and norms shaping how people perceive reality. Theology must identify and critique these assumptions to discern whether they align with or distort biblical truth. Recognizing cultural bias helps prevent syncretism and promotes authentic gospel contextualization.

  ---

  Innate Human Capacity for Belief
  Humans are created with an inherent openness to transcendence—what theologians sometimes call the sensus divinitatis (sense of the divine). This capacity does not save on its own but reveals that faith responds to a preexisting awareness of God’s reality built into human nature.

  ---

  Chalcedonian Definition, Incarnation, Kenosis
  The Chalcedonian Definition (AD 451) affirms Jesus Christ as fully God and fully human, united in one person without confusion or division. The Incarnation is God’s self-revelation in flesh. Kenosis (Phil. 2:5–11) refers to Christ’s self-emptying humility—laying aside divine privilege to serve and redeem humanity.

  ---

  Evangelical Theology: Speech vs. Acts of God
  Evangelical theology holds that God’s revelation is both verbal (through Scripture and proclamation) and active (through redemptive deeds in history). The Word and action of God are inseparable: the gospel is announced through speech and demonstrated through transformed lives and communities.

  ---

  Biblical Theology vs. Systematic Theology

  • Biblical theology traces God’s revelation and redemptive plan through the progressive narrative of Scripture, focusing on historical development and covenant continuity.

  • Systematic theology organizes biblical truths thematically (e.g., Christology, pneumatology) to articulate coherent doctrinal frameworks for belief and practice.

  ---

  Redemption, Redemptive History
  Redemption refers to God’s deliverance of humanity from sin and death through the atoning work of Christ.
  Redemptive history (Heilsgeschichte) is the unfolding narrative of God’s saving actions throughout Scripture—from creation to new creation—culminating in Jesus’ death, resurrection, and promised return.

  ---

  Pluralism, Postmodernism, Exclusivism

  • Pluralism – the coexistence of diverse religious truth claims, often denying absolute truth.

  • Postmodernism – skepticism toward universal metanarratives; truth is viewed as contextual and relational.

  • Exclusivism – the conviction that salvation is found uniquely in Christ (John 14:6).
    Christian theology engages these frameworks by affirming truth in dialogue yet maintaining Christ’s singular redemptive role.

  ---

  Demythologizing Modern Culture
  A term drawn from Rudolf Bultmann’s program of reinterpreting biblical narratives in existential terms; more broadly, it refers to stripping away cultural “myths” or ideologies that obscure the gospel’s core truth. The goal is not to deny the supernatural but to communicate it intelligibly within modern worldviews.

  ---

  Spirit’s Persuasive Role
  The Holy Spirit works not through coercion but persuasion—enlightening minds, convicting hearts, and drawing individuals toward truth (John 16:8–15). This emphasizes divine sovereignty balanced with human responsiveness in the process of conversion and sanctification.

  ---

  Responsibility to Unbelievers
  Christians bear a moral and missional duty to witness to Christ through both word and deed. This responsibility includes compassion, cultural understanding, and clear proclamation, reflecting God’s universal desire that all might come to repentance and faith (2 Pet. 3:9).

  
  

---

4. Unable to Decipher / Garbled Sections

• Shorthand and errors: “s.sdkdtheol,” “NOP WAL,” “M. Tyler suggests that even Deceptive INFLUENCES SIN,” “s.sdkd” – unclear references.

• Fragmented phrases: “Heal Vision: demyth Cultures Mod. 50,” “MORE,” “PLURALISM TRUTH Evang. Mimesis” — likely personal shorthand or marginal notes.

---

If you like, I can now combine all fragments 7–13 into a cohesive, comprehensive master document, fully reconstructed for readability, study, and clarity, while keeping notes on ambiguous sections.

Do you want me to do that next?