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S1 GLOBAL TEOLOGICAL SCIENCES ( Theology Christian)
 

 
Institution: PDKS ROS PBX ALEXANDRINA VICTORIA II INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Study Program: Bachelor of Theology (S1)

Author: Prof Dr HRH Princess Donna Dayu Kencana Soekarno SH BSc S.Psi LLB LLM PhD

Lecturer: Prof ADRIAN DAISLEY
Schedule: Friday, April 4, 2026 | 20.00 WIB / 08.00 PM
 
 
 
CHAPTER I: COURSE DESCRIPTION
 
1.1 Course Identity
 
Course Name: Global Theology
Code: TGL-101
Credits: 3 Semester Credit Units (SKS)
 
1.2 Brief Description
 
This course studies the basic principles and development of Christian thought in a universal (Global) context. The focus includes the understanding of God, Revelation, Holy Scriptures, and the relationship between faith and the realities of modern life. Global Theology does not only study theology from one tradition or denomination, but embraces a broad, ecumenical, and contextual perspective that is relevant to the challenges of the present era.
 
1.3 Learning Objectives
 
After completing this course, students are expected to:
 
1. Understand the definition and scope of Christian Theology fundamentally.
2. Master the core doctrines of the Christian faith.
3. Analyze the thoughts of influential theologians throughout church history.
4. Ability to conduct legal and ethical analysis based on theological foundations.
5. Apply theological values in social and civic life.
 
 
 
CHAPTER II: DISCUSSION ON CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
 
2.1 Definition of Theology
 
Etymologically, theology comes from the Greek words Theos (God) and Logos (Science/Knowledge). Therefore, theology is the study of God and all matters related to Him, including His relationship with the world and humanity.
 
2.2 Branches of Theology
 
1. Biblical Theology: Study based on the Bible (Old and New Testaments).
2. Systematic Theology: Organizing biblical truths into a logical and coherent system.
3. Historical Theology: Study of the development of doctrines throughout history.
4. Practical Theology: The application of theology in church life and ministry.
5. Contextual/Global Theology: Adapting theological understanding to culture and global challenges without losing core truths.
 
2.3 Main Themes in Christian Theology
 
- Revelation: How God reveals Himself to humanity (General and Special Revelation).
- The Sovereignty of God: God’s absolute rule over all creation.
- Relationship between Faith and Reason: How rationality dialogues with faith.
 
 
 
CHAPTER III: CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES
 
Doctrine refers to the core teachings believed to be true and serving as the standard of faith. Below are the primary doctrines in Christianity:
 
3.1 The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity
 
God is One, yet exists in three Persons who are co-eternal and equal:
 
- God the Father: Creator and Source of all things.
- God the Son (Jesus Christ): Redeemer and the Word made flesh.
- God the Holy Spirit: Comforter, Sanctifier, and the Power working in the hearts of humanity.
 
3.2 Christology (Doctrine of Christ)
 
- The full divinity and full humanity of Jesus.
- The work of Christ: Virgin birth, atoning death, resurrection, and ascension.
 
3.3 Anthropology (Doctrine of Man)
 
- Humans are created in the image and likeness of God (Imago Dei).
- The fall of man into sin and its consequences.
 
3.4 Soteriology (Doctrine of Salvation)
 
- God’s Grace as the foundation of salvation.
- Faith as the means of receiving salvation.
- The redemptive work of the cross and justification before God.
 
3.5 Ecclesiology (Doctrine of the Church)
 
- The Church as the Body of Christ.
- Sacraments and church governance.
 
3.6 Eschatology (Doctrine of Last Things)
 
- Death, life after death, the Second Coming of Christ, and eternal life.
 
 
 
CHAPTER IV: FIGURES OF CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
 
Below are key figures who shaped the landscape of Christian Theology:
 
Ancient Period
 
1. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD): Father of Western Theology. His thoughts on the Trinity, Grace, and The City of God are fundamental.
2. Origen (185-254 AD): Expert in allegorical interpretation and early systematic theology.
 
Medieval & Reformation Period
 
3. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274 AD): Scholastic figure who integrated Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology (Summa Theologica).
4. Martin Luther (1483-1546 AD): Leader of the Reformation who emphasized Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) and Sola Fide (Faith Alone).
5. John Calvin (1509-1556 AD): Reformed thinker who emphasized the Sovereignty of God and Predestination.
 
Modern & Contemporary Period
 
6. Karl Barth (1886-1968 AD): Figure of Dialectical Theology who emphasized the transcendence of God.
7. Wolfhart Pannenberg: Theologian who connected revelation with history and modern reason.
8. Billy Graham: Figure of practical theology and global evangelism.
 
 
 
CHAPTER V: LEGAL ANALYSIS AND LEGAL FOUNDATIONS
 
From the perspective of Global Theology, which is also law-based (referring to the author's legal background), here is the analysis:
 
5.1 Concept of Law in Theology
 
In theological terms, law is not merely a set of rules, but rather a guidance for life that originates from God’s holy and just character.
 
5.2 Classification of Legal Foundations
 
A. Moral Law (Eternal Law)
 
- Derived from the unchanging nature of God.
- Example: The Ten Commandments. Applies universally to all people in all ages.
- Analysis: This law forms the basis of universal ethics and serves as the moral groundwork for state legislation (Natural Law).
 
B. Ceremonial/Ritual Law
 
- Regulations regarding worship and the separation of Israel from other nations.
- Analysis: In the Christian perspective, these laws were fulfilled by Jesus Christ and are no longer binding formally, though they contain spiritual values and principles.
 
C. Civil Law / State Law
 
- Social regulations, judicial systems, and community order in ancient times.
- Analysis: The principles of justice and social welfare found within these laws serve as inspiration for modern constitutional law and human rights.
 
5.3 Relationship between Theology and Positive Law
 
- Theology provides the basic philosophy and transcendent values of justice.
- State law regulates earthly order, while theology regulates the vertical relationship (man-God) and horizontal relationship (man-man) in a spiritual context.
- Principle: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" (Matthew 22:21). This affirms the existence of two authorities that complement each other but operate in different spheres.
 
 
 
CHAPTER VI: CONCLUSION
 
Global Theology is a vital discipline not only for church ministers but also for every individual seeking to understand the meaning of life comprehensively.
 
1. Core of Faith: Christian Theology is centered on the revelation of God in Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible, with the doctrine of the Trinity as its main foundation.
2. Relevance: The thoughts of theologians prove that the Christian faith is always relevant and capable of engaging in dialogue with various eras and cultures.
3. Ethical Foundation: The Law and theological principles provide a strong moral basis for character building, professional ethics, and social justice within state law.
4. Application: Understanding theology means understanding how to live correctly, righteously, and pleasing to God, while being beneficial to fellow human beings on a global scale.
 
 
 
"Instead, be filled with the Spirit..." - Ephesians 5:18Here is the continuation of the material focusing on The Bible and Christian Tradition, integrated into the existing structure.
 
 
 
CHAPTER VII: THE BIBLE AND CHRISTIAN TRADITION
 
7.1 The Bible: The Sole Authority (Sola Scriptura)
 
The Bible is recognized as the primary and supreme source of Christian theology. It is considered the written Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
 
A. Composition of the Bible
 
- Old Testament (Perjanjian Lama): Contains the history, laws, poetry, and prophecies before the birth of Jesus Christ, originally written mostly in Hebrew and Aramaic.
- New Testament (Perjanjian Baru): Contains the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the history of the early church, and letters of instruction, written in Greek.
 
B. Nature and Characteristics
 
- Inspiration: "All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16). Human authors wrote under the superintendence of the Holy Spirit.
- Clarity & Sufficiency: The Bible contains everything necessary for salvation and holy living. It is clear enough to be understood, while containing deep mysteries worthy of study.
- Canon: The official list of books recognized as divinely inspired and authoritative.
 
7.2 Christian Tradition
 
Tradition refers to the living faith, practices, and teachings passed down through generations in the Church. It serves as the lens and context through which the Bible is interpreted.
 
A. Types of Tradition
 
1. Apostolic Tradition: Teachings delivered by the Apostles either through writing (Scripture) or oral preaching before they were written down.
2. Ecclesiastical Tradition: Developed practices, creeds, liturgy, and church governance structures that evolved throughout history to maintain order and unity.
 
B. The Relationship between Bible and Tradition
There are different perspectives within Christianity regarding this relationship:
 
Perspective Viewpoint 
Catholic & Orthodox View Bible and Tradition are equal partners (Two Sources). Tradition protects the correct interpretation of the Bible. The Church established the Canon of Scripture. 
Protestant View Sola Scriptura. Tradition is important but subordinate. Tradition must always be tested against the Bible. The Bible is the final judge (Norma Normans). 
 
General Consensus:
Both are essential. The Bible is the Source, while Tradition is the Expression of faith. Without Tradition, the Bible is easily misinterpreted; without the Bible, Tradition becomes empty ritual.
 
 
 
7.3 The Ecumenical Creeds (The Heritage of Tradition)
 
Major Christian traditions agree on the following foundational statements of faith, which summarize Biblical teaching:
 
1. The Apostles' Creed: The oldest summary of faith, used in baptism.
2. The Nicene Creed: Established to defend the true divinity of Christ against heresies.
3. The Athanasian Creed: Emphasizes the doctrine of the Trinity and the two natures of Christ.
 
 
 
7.4 Analysis: Legal and Theological Perspective
 
A. The Bible as "Constitution"
 
- In legal analysis, the Bible functions like a Constitution. It is the Lex Fundamentalis (Fundamental Law) that establishes the highest norms and values.
- All other rules, church laws, or traditions must not contradict the principles found in the Bible, similar to how state laws must not contradict the National Constitution.
 
B. Tradition as "Jurisprudence" or "By-Laws"
 
- Tradition is comparable to Jurisprudence (court decisions) or Implementing Regulations.
- It provides practical guidelines on how to apply the principles of the Bible in daily life, worship, and organization.
- Principle: Lex temporalis habet rationem vicem (Temporal law has its own reason), meaning that while the Bible is eternal, traditions can adapt to time and culture as long as they do not violate the core truth.
 
 
 
7.5 Conclusion on Bible and Tradition
 
- The Bible is the Objective Standard and final authority.
- Christian Tradition is the Subjective Application and historical continuity of faith.
- A healthy theology holds both in balance: Ad Fontes (Back to the sources/Scripture) while respecting Traditio (The transmission of truth through history).
 
 
 
"Stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." - 2 Thessalonians 2:15.Here is the continuation of the material.
 
 
 
CHAPTER VIII: THEOLOGICAL HERMENEUTICS AND INTERPRETATION
 
8.1 Definition of Hermeneutics
 
Hermeneutics is the science and art of biblical interpretation. The term comes from the Greek word hermeneuo, meaning "to interpret" or "to explain," associated with the messenger god Hermes who conveyed and clarified messages.
 
Goal: To bridge the gap between the ancient context in which the Bible was written and the modern context of the reader today, in order to discover the original intended meaning and its contemporary application.
 
8.2 Principles of Interpretation
 
To avoid misinterpretation, several principles must be applied:
 
A. The Principle of Context
 
- Immediate Context: The verses immediately before and after the text.
- Book Context: The overall theme of the book being studied.
- Biblical Context: The harmony of the entire Bible; Scripture interprets Scripture (Scriptura Scripturae Interpres).
- Historical Context: The culture, customs, and historical situation at the time of writing.
 
B. The Principle of Literal-Grammatical Interpretation
 
- Understanding the text according to its plain meaning, respecting the rules of grammar and the literary genre used (history, poetry, prophecy, parable, letter, etc.).
- Rule: "When the plain sense makes common sense, seek no other sense."
 
C. The Principle of Application
Distinguishing between:
 
1. Meaning: What the text meant to the original audience.
2. Significance: What the text means for us today.
The meaning is fixed, but the application can vary according to context.
 
 
 
8.3 Legal Analysis of Interpretation
 
In legal theory, this is similar to Interpretation of Laws (Interpretatio Legum).
 
- Grammatical Interpretation: Analyzing the choice of words and sentence structure, similar to analyzing articles of law.
- Teleological Interpretation: Understanding the purpose and intent of the Legislator (God), similar to seeking the ratio legis (reason of the law) in jurisprudence.
- Restrictive vs. Extensive Interpretation: Knowing when to take words literally and when to understand them figuratively.
 
 
 
CHAPTER IX: REVELATION AND AUTHORITY
 
9.1 The Concept of Revelation
 
Revelation means "God unveiling Himself." Theology posits that finite humans cannot fully know the Infinite God unless God chooses to reveal Himself.
 
A. General Revelation (Wahyu Umum)
 
- Made known through creation, conscience, and history.
- Available to all people everywhere.
- Purpose: To show the existence and power of God, and to hold humanity accountable morally, but not sufficient for salvation.
- Legal Aspect: This forms the basis of Natural Law, which is written in the human heart (Romans 2:14-15).
 
B. Special Revelation (Wahyu Khusus)
 
- Made known specifically through:
1. The Bible (Written Word)
2. Jesus Christ (The Living Word)
3. Acts of God in history and dreams/visions.
- Purpose: To reveal the way of salvation and the specific will of God.
 
9.2 The Concept of Authority
 
Authority in theology means the right to command and be obeyed.
 
A. The Source of Authority
 
- God Himself is the ultimate source. The Bible has authority because it originates from God.
- In the church structure, authority is delegated (Servant Leadership), not absolute, except to the Word of God.
 
B. Hierarchy of Truth
 
- In theological system, truth is arranged hierarchically:
- Central Truths: Essentials for salvation (e.g., Divinity of Christ, Atonement).
- Peripheral Truths: Important but not essential for salvation (e.g., Mode of baptism, timing of rapture).
- Principle: In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.
 
 
 
CHAPTER X: FAITH AND REASON
 
10.1 The Relationship
 
A major discussion in Global Theology is how faith (Fides) relates to human reason (Ratio).
 
Perspectives:
 
1. Fideism: Faith is above reason; reason is insufficient or even dangerous. Faith is a leap.
2. Rationalism: Reason is above faith; doctrines must be proven logically first.
3. Complementarity (Classical View): Faith and Reason are friends. Reason prepares the way for faith, and faith perfects reason.
- Quote: "I believe in order to understand" (Credo ut intelligam - Anselm of Canterbury).
 
10.2 Theology and Science
 
- True science and true theology cannot contradict each other because both originate from the same Source of Truth.
- Science explains how things work; Theology explains why things exist.
 
 
 
CHAPTER XI: SUMMARY AND SYNTHESIS
 
11.1 Synthesis of Global Theology
 
Global Theology integrates all these elements into a coherent worldview:
 
1. Foundation: The Bible as the Supreme Norm (Norma Normans).
2. Framework: Christian Tradition and Creeds as the guardrails of truth.
3. Method: Hermeneutics and Systematic analysis to understand the truth.
4. Source: Revelation (General and Special).
5. Tool: The use of Reason and Logic.
6. Goal: The knowledge of God (Scientia Dei) and the service of humanity.
 
11.2 Final Conclusion
 
Theology is not merely an academic exercise but a sapiential knowledge (knowledge of wisdom). It shapes the way a person thinks, acts, and judges. In a global context, this knowledge enables believers to stand firm in their faith while engaging respectfully and critically with the diverse worldviews, cultures, and legal systems present globally.
 
 
 
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." - John 17:3
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

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