The Pattern of Christian Truth

1 Corinthians 4:7

The Pattern of Christian Truth

  • Explanation of the title and its origins
  • Reference to the book by Turner and the response to Walter Bauer’s thesis

Examination of Heresies

  • Marcionism
    • Background of Marcion and his beliefs
    • Marcion's rejection of the Old Testament and creation
    • Church’s response affirming the unity of creation and redemption and the continuity of the Old and New Testaments
  • Arianism
    • Background of Arius and his theological points
    • Arius's view of God’s indivisibility and Jesus’s nature
    • Council of Nicaea's response affirming the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father (homoousios)
    • Importance of the doctrine of the Trinity in understanding the story of Jesus as the story of God
  • Pelagianism
    • Background of Pelagius and his theological points
    • Pelagius’s views on human nature, sin, and grace
    • Augustine’s counterarguments emphasizing original sin and the need for divine grace
    • Summary of Pelagian propositions and Augustine's responses

Lessons Learned from Heresies

  • Affirmation of the coherence of creation and redemption
  • Affirmation of the sanctity of the incarnation
  • Importance of humility in understanding divine grace

Conclusion

  • Call to revisit historical theological debates to understand and proclaim the apostolic gospel

About the Contributors