Outline prepared by Richard T. Nolan
For elaborations on these themes, see other items in this subsite and in the subsites containing the writings of Drs. Cherbonnier and Kirkpatrick.
1. GOD OR ULTIMATE REALITY
a. God is "Someone" characterized by purposeful acts; God is a caring intelligence whose actions include creating, self-disclosing, and empowering.
b. Though personal, God is not confined to mortal limitations.
c. God, whose names include Yahweh and Allah, is the only God.
d. In the Bible and Qur'an, God is involved in history, yet sovereign.
e. Certain Greek-like philosophical reflections on God add a transcendent dimension; the biblical motif focuses upon God's acts, not "location."
2. THE UNIVERSE
a. The universe, the visible and the invisible (including time/history) is real.
b. The universe is created good.
c. Certain Greek philosophical reflections on the Bible interpret the very fabric of the universe as having become inherently corrupted.
3. HUMAN NATURE
a. Human nature, endowed with the capacity for intelligent, purposeful and caring acts, is fundamentally good.
b. Certain Greek philosophical reflections view human nature as having become inherently sinful.
c. Human beings, whether sinful inherently or by choice are in need of radical or realigning salvation.
d. Human nature is social or corporate, not individualistic.
e. Persons have been/are interpreted in various ways, including as
i. an animated, organic unity which dies (ancient biblical).
ii. a being with a body and a transfigurable ego.
iii. a resurrectable being.
iv. a body and an immortal soul. [under Greek philosophical influence]
f. Life-after-death is interpreted in various ways, including as
i. not expected.
ii. not automatic; it must be deserved.
iii. automatic with possibilities of:
a. heaven, purgatory, hell.
b. continued growth toward greater communion with God.iv. particular (individually when death occurs) and general (corporately at the end of the world.
4. RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE
a. Human beings can grow in their understanding of God's purposes for humanity by comprehending the meaning of the:
i. Hebrew Scriptures (Judaism).
ii. Old and New Testaments (Christianity)
iii. Qur'an (Islam)
b. Continuing sources or religious knowledge vary [revelation, not introspective enlightenment]
5. CONSEQUENCES FOR LIVING
a. The purpose of life for humanity is covenant living as God's accountable guests, as "children of God." [understandings vary]