Ateneo de Manila University

Department of Theology

Theo 11
Javier Luis P Gomez
Midterms Thesis Statements

Thesis Statement 1
Faith, Knowledge, Freedom and the Ground Rules of Theology

According to Haight, faith is defined as the dynamic commitment of the whole of human freedom
in action. From here, it can be argued that faith’s object must be a transcendental object, and
thus is different from knowledge. Though it is difficult to define objects of faith, it can be inferred
by means of one’s beliefs and praxes. However, as our lives are changing, and as the faith
object is transcendent, Johnson suggests that it manifests as a never ending quest which is
pursued in the boundaries of what she calls the ground rules of Theology

Thesis Statement 2
Revelation and the Three sources of theology; Human Authorship; Divine Authorship

In Catholicism, it is believed that the transcendent God reveals himself in the three sources of
theology. These sources, though distinct, cooperate in the manifestation of revelation. The
scriptures specifically as a source must be understood according to its two fold nature as being
dually authored. The human authorship implies that it must be understood according to the
process of formation and development that the text undergoes. Meanwhile, the belief in the
divine authorship can be expressed through an analogical understanding of the term
“inspiration.” Catholics thus believe that an understanding of both human and divine authorship
cooperate for a fuller interpretation of the text.

Thesis Statement 3
The Modern Biblical Methods of Interpretation

The Scriptures as a source of theology must be interpreted according to proper modern

methods of interpretation. Christians believe in the God who reveals, by means of the inspired
text. Because of the nature of Divine Inspiration and human authorship, it follows that the
revelation of God is understood though careful study according to human sciences, tools, and
methods. Thus we use different means of biblical interpretation among which are historical
methods, literary methods, traditional methods, human sciences, and contextual approaches.
These methods work together to put forth a holistic interpretation of the text.
Thesis Statement 4
A Modern Genesis Interpretation

Genesis chapters 1, 2, and 3 are a complex set of texts that are meant to communicate a vision
about what creation is like. Its genre means we do not read these texts as literal scientific
accounts but to pay attention to its deeper meaning through the use of biblical methods of
interpretation. The Genesis narratives, individually and together, strive to communicate that
creation is relational, and thus orignally could be described as being in a state of “shalom,” until
human freedom leads to this shalom being broken