BUILDING YOUR THEOLOGY
STUDY GUIDE 2.2
Lesson 2: Exploring Christian Theology
Section 2: Christian Traditions
(Video Parts 5-6)


OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES

II. Christian Traditions

A. Defining “Tradition”

  1. Negative Definition

  2. Positive Definition

B. Tendencies of Traditions

  1. Doctrine

  2. Practice

  3. Pathos

C. Importance of Traditions

  1. Awareness of Ourselves

  2. Awareness of Others


REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. How does Dr. John Frame describe “traditionalism”?

2. How does Dr. Pratt define “tradition”?

3. Describe the three tendencies that theological traditions tend to follow. What does each emphasize?

4. What is the danger involved in each of these tendencies? What problem can each lead to?

5. What does Dr. Pratt suggest as an alternative to pretending to separate ourselves from our theological heritage?

6. According to our lesson, where do students of theology get the idea that they must divorce themselves from their particular religious tradition or heritage before they can study theology?

7.  What example is given in the lesson of how Paul sometimes speaks of traditions in a positive way?


APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. What positive influences has your theological tradition had on your own personal theology? What negative influences has it had?

2. What are the emphases of your tradition? What are the strengths and weaknesses of these emphases? How might you change your emphases to counter these weaknesses without losing the strengths?