Learning Theology Essay

In Learning Theology with the Church Fathers, Christopher H every last(predicate) discusses the doctrinal beliefs of the earliest Christian leaders while Christianity was in its fledgling state of development. ofttimes of what is discussed by pile in his book is the standard for what the beliefs on the sphere will be throughout the churchs history. The topics in hills book be important because the church fathers findings concern these issues establishes the churchs beliefs on these doctrinal topics. cumuluss approach in his book is to take a unfastened that was passing contested in the life of the early church and follow wholeness or two of the major leading authorities on the subject from the time period. A benefit to looking at the topic this panache shows what the prominent sentiment of the day was and if it still relates to Christians today. The first major al-Qaeda that the book addresses is to describe the attri more(prenominal)overes of God. pitchers mound looks a t the various aspects of God the Father, give-and-take and b littleed heart. Within discussing the parts of the devoted Trinity, hillock shows the various thought the early church had concerning the iii, what each of their roles are, and discusses how each of the three had equality unneurotic without either creation subordinate to another.The second subject addressed by Hill is that of Gods interaction with hu soldierys. Hill explains the teachings concerning hu gayitys sin and how the church fathers understood Gods forgiveness toward globe. Hill in like human beingsner speaks of man as being instilled with Gods goodness. populaces natural instinct is not bent on doing what is inherently good, but it is within Gods instilled grace that Gods best for man is go intod within himself (Hill, 130). Hill also writes in discussion of Gods providence to man as being loving, transcendent and wise.The third theme Hill discusses are those things that are at once relatable to Ch ristians in their relations with God. These things consist of the Christians relation to the scriptures, the grandiloquent founded church, and a Christians resurrected body and eternal life. Hill also discusses the early church fathers apologetics to the scriptures dictum and how the scriptures were His perfect gift given through His perfect knowledge (Hill, 209). Hill also discusses the differing roles of the church and what the members communal roles are and the differing thoughts on discipline. maven of the just about important topics discussed by Hill is that of the characteristics of the holy genius. The discussion that was taking place during the fourth century was what is the Holy facial expression and what role does it play in the character of God? Many believed that the three persons of God were not triumvirate but actually three opposite Gods making Christianity polytheistic. Basil the Greats writings on the subject is the focal point of Hills discussion. Basils wri tings addressed the variable confusions that surrounded the Holy Spirit.The topics Hill highlights from Basil is that of the Holy Spirits equality with the Father and the Son. One point that Hill singles out which gives credence to a Holy Trinity is that the account for differing levels of power in the Holy Trinity is not arguable. Hill contends that people cannot comprehend the relationship between the three because they all three transient time and age, thus making it impossible for man to give rank to one over another (Hill, 105). This is rational argument because if something transcends time and age, does another being transcend time and space more? To have this distinction is not a more or less argument but a yes or no argument in defining a deitys self to which Hill discusses well. other positive from Hills book is the explanation of the Holy Spirit and the description of the divine community that is the Holy Trinity. If the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not three polar go ds, what is the purpose of their being three separate beings? Hill examines this by giving each of the three different roles in the actions of the world. Hill defines the Father as the creator, the Son and the initiator, and the Holy Spirit as the perfecter (Hill, 115).This representing of the Holy Trinity shows how the three are not separate but how each are one with different roles in dealing with man. Hill also explains that neither entity usurps the others tasks, but remain separated in their roles showing that neither is prime(prenominal) to the other entities. This is a useful distinction because it helps understand the functioning of the Holy Trinity and how it relates to man. When those tasks are known man has a better savvy for each part of the Holy Trinity and honor can be given to the each part of the deity including the Holy Spirit (Hill, 118).The theme of mans relation to God is another well depict discussion. Hill addresses the subject of mans sins in a behavior t hat explains how it was problematic for the church fathers. Following the writing of Irenaeus, Hill discusses the issue of mans goodness. The discussion during the time of Irenaeus was whether man was of course good or was goodness implanted in man by God? Hills conclusion eventually is mans sin reputation is prevalent before his conversion and after his conversion God bestows a sense of goodness through His love in man. Gods redemptive spirit is given to man and reflected through the actions of man (Hill, 130).Hills explanation that the church fathers did not think man naturally good is logical because if man is naturally good then their is no purpose for salvation. Yet while it is said human nature is without good, man is still given a choice and sometimes makes the moral decision. A limited amount of time was given to explain how God allows man to make his own choices. Hill says that God gives the choice to man to conclude but does not fully expound on why man sometimes goes a gainst his nature to make moral decisions.In all, Hill does a good job on explaining the church fathers thinking concerning the formation of early church doctrine. His description of their writings helps the reader understand the issues that spurred their theology and the content of their messages. Learning Theology with the Church Fathers gives an good plus of how Christian beliefs came to formation and who the writers were that God used to frame early Christianitys doctrine.BibliographyHill, Christopher. Learning Theology with the Church Fathers. Downers Grove IVP Academy, 2002.