BTheol Bachelor of Theology Systematic Theology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In systematic theology, what does the term 'soteriology' refer to?
- The doctrine of salvation (Correct answer)
- The doctrine of the church
- The doctrine of God
- The doctrine of last things
Correct answer: The doctrine of salvation
Soteriology is the branch of systematic theology that studies the nature, means, and scope of salvation, including concepts like justification, sanctification, and redemption.
Question 2: What is the theological term for God existing as three persons in one divine essence?
- The Trinity (Correct answer)
- Modalism
- Tritheism
- Subordinationism
Correct answer: The Trinity
The doctrine of the Trinity holds that God is one in essence (substance) but exists eternally as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Question 3: The theological term 'justification by faith' means that a sinner is declared righteous by God through what means?
- Trust in Christ's atoning work, not human merit (Correct answer)
- Performing sufficient good deeds
- Completing prescribed sacramental rituals alone
- Achieving moral perfection over time
Correct answer: Trust in Christ's atoning work, not human merit
Justification by faith (sola fide in Protestant theology) means God forensically declares the believer righteous based on Christ's merit received through faith, not personal works.
Question 4: What does the theological term 'omniscience' attribute to God?
- God's complete and perfect knowledge of all things (Correct answer)
- God's unlimited power over creation
- God's presence everywhere simultaneously
- God's unchanging nature
Correct answer: God's complete and perfect knowledge of all things
Omniscience means God knows all things—past, present, and future—including every thought, action, and possibility, without limitation.
Question 5: In Calvinist systematic theology, what does the doctrine of 'total depravity' teach?
- That sin corrupts every aspect of human nature, making people unable to choose God unaided (Correct answer)
- That humans are as sinful as they could possibly be in every action
- That the body is evil while the spirit is good
- That only the elect are sinful
Correct answer: That sin corrupts every aspect of human nature, making people unable to choose God unaided
Total depravity (the 'T' in TULIP) teaches that sin affects every dimension of human nature—mind, will, emotions—leaving people unable to respond to God without divine grace.
Question 6: What is 'eschatology' in systematic theology?
- The study of last things, including death, resurrection, and the final judgment (Correct answer)
- The study of the origins of the church
- The study of the Holy Spirit's work
- The study of how Scripture is interpreted
Correct answer: The study of last things, including death, resurrection, and the final judgment
Eschatology covers the 'last things'—individual death and afterlife, Christ's second coming, the resurrection of the dead, final judgment, and the new creation.
