TIP OF THE DAY returns in a new format

TIP OF THE DAY 2 conclusion of introduction - Logos Forums is forward link

I'm trying a different approach -- one that emphasizes Logos/Verbum vocabulary and available data. Give it a few days to move into personal and geographic names, then let me know if this approach is useful. If it is, there might be a gift certificate or two to those finding errors and omissions ...

Topic: Introduction

QUESTION: How are these notes structured?

ANSWER: These are DIY tips in which a question is posed, Logos/Verbum instructions are given, and answers or sample answers may or may not be given.  The questions will emphasize the vocabulary of Logos/Verbum, the data available, and one or more ways of finding that data – some simply accepting the data offered by the software, some digging deep into the innards of the software to customize the data. There will be few screenshots so that all forms of the app may feel included. Lists will be numbered as the forum software sometimes loses indentations. The first two or three days may be boring as they set a framework for the later material.

QUESTION: What is the economy of salvation?

SOFTWARE: Method 1: If you have the smart search option:

1. Read Introduction to Search – Verbum Support
2. Open a search panel.
3. Select an “all” search for the best results; you may be prompted to switch to a “book” search when the results are returned.
4. Copy and paste the question into the search argument box
5. Hit enter

Your results will include:

1. A synopsis from the top ranked results with source references. The synopsis contains these functions:

1.1.   Links to the works referenced in the synopsis.

1.2.   A warning to verify the accuracy of the synopsis.

1.3.   Feedback thumbs up/down for Logos to monitor accuracy and tweak procedure.

1.4.   A copy function which was used for the sample results below.

1. The search results in the format of:

2.1.   The title of the article in which the match occurs.

2.2.   An excerpt of the text includes the match to the search article. The match itself is identified by bold text.

2.3.   The title of the book in which the match occurs.

2.4.   A status icon on the right margin

2.4.1.        No icon means the source book is downloaded onto this device.

2.4.2.        A cloud icon means that you have access to the source book, but it is in the cloud. You must download the book to read the context. Clicking on the article title (result heading) will give you the option to download it.

2.4.3.        A lock icon means that you don’t have access to the source book. Clicking on the article title (result heading) will give you the option to purchase the book.

2.4.4.        Note: in v37 and beyond, if 4 of the first 10 results are locked, a banner will suggest you run a “book” search rather than an “all” search, so the results are limited to your library.

2.5.   When hovering over a result or focusing on a result, a summarize option will appear on the upper right corner.

2.5.1.        Clicking on “summarize” will cause a summary of the article to replace the result (text extract).

2.5.2.        The “summarize” option is replaced by a “clear summary” option.

2.5.3.        Clicking on the “clear summary” option return the entry to its initial state

1. There may be cards (which will be discussed much later) spread in with the results. These cards may include:

3.1.   Results from a Factbook search.

3.2.   Results from a My Documents search.

3.3.   Results from a Library (book) search.

3.4.   Results from a Logos Sermons search.

3.5.   Results from a Popular Quotations search.

3.6.   Results from an Atlas Search.

3.7.   Results from a Media Search.

1. At the bottom of the results a “more” button allows you to request the next 50 results returned.

Mark Barnes described the workings of the smart search as “In Smart Search, we perform a very loose search without AI. That finds 50 articles that roughly match your query. We then use AI to identify a snippet from each article that most closely matches your query. We don't rewrite any text; we only identify the most relevant existing text in the book. Once we have these snippets, we use AI to re-order them to put the most relevant ones at the top.

Sample synopsis results from this method:

The economy of salvation refers to God's divine plan to save humanity from sin and separation from Him[1]. This plan unfolds gradually throughout history, from creation to the end of time[1][2]. It is characterized by God's interventions in human history, particularly through the incarnation of Jesus Christ[2][3]. The economy of salvation is divided into three main phases: creation by the Father, redemption through the Son's incarnation and death, and sanctification by the Holy Spirit[4]. This concept views history as progressing between a beginning (the incarnation) and an end (the eschaton), rather than being circular[3]. The plan is revealed and enacted through various divine actions, including covenants with His people[1], sacraments like the Eucharist[3], and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the Church[4][5]. Importantly, this understanding of salvation history contrasts with modern secular views that exclude supernatural intervention in the world[2].

[1] Scott W. Hahn, Romans, ed. Peter S. Williamson and Mary Healy, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017), 294.
[2] Thomas Weinandy, “Why Ask the Fathers? The Dynamics of a Living Tradition,” American Theological Inquiry 1, no. 1 (2008): 6.
[3] Dotan Leshem, “From Ecclesiastical to Political Economy: The Rise of the Social,” Journal of Markets & Morality (Spring and Fall 2016) 19, no. 1 (2016): 31.
[4] Sean Innerst, “The Catechism as a Ladder of Ascent,” in Speaking the Truth in Love: The Catechism and the New Evangelization, ed. Petroc Willey and Scott Sollom (Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Academic, 2019), 240.
[5] Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Ed. (Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2000), 876.

Method 2: if you don’t have the smart search option or if the smart search returned too many locked resources:

1. Read Introduction to Search – Verbum Support
2. Open search panel.
3. Select the “all” search or select the “book” search with ”your books” selected.
4. Enter “economy of salvation” with the quotation marks into the search argument box.
5. Hit enter.

With items in italics only available if you have the smart search functions, your results will include:

1. 1.        A synopsis from the top ranked results with source references. The synopsis contains these functions:

1.1.   Links to the works referenced in the synopsis.

1.2.   A warning to verify the accuracy of the synopsis.

1.3.   Feedback thumbs up/down for Logos to monitor accuracy and tweak procedure.

1.4.   A copy function which was used for the sample results below.

1. The search results in the format of:

2.1.   The title of the article in which the match occurs.

2.2.   An excerpt of the text includes the match to the search article. The match itself is identified by bold text.

2.3.   The title of the book in which the match occurs.

2.4.   A status icon on the right margin

2.4.1.        No icon means the source book is downloaded onto this device.

2.4.2.        A cloud icon means that you have access to the source book, but it is in the cloud. You must download the book to read the context. Clicking on the article title (result heading) will give you the option to download it.

2.5.   When hovering over a result or focusing on a result, a summarize option will appear on the upper right corner.

2.5.1.        Clicking on “summarize” will cause a summary of the article to replace the result (text extract).

2.5.2.        The “summarize” option is replaced by a “clear summary” option.

2.5.3.        Clicking on the “clear summary” option return the entry to its initial state

1. At the bottom of the results a “more” button allows you to request the next 50 results returned.

Sample synopsis results from this method are very similar to the results from the first method as three of five references are shared:

The economy of salvation refers to God's divine plan to save humanity from sin and separation from God, unfolding gradually from creation to the consummation of history[1]. This concept, derived from a Greek word meaning "household management," encompasses God's revelation and communication of Himself to the world for the salvation of all humanity[2]. The plan works out in human history through three phases: creation from the Father, redemption through the Son's Incarnation and death, and sanctification by the Holy Spirit[3]. Augustine emphasized that this divine initiative in history distinguishes Christianity from other philosophies, as God meets humanity in their fallen state to enable their ascent back to Him[4]. Some Pentecostal perspectives view the economy of salvation through a pneumatological lens, seeing the universe as "spirit-filled" and salvation as concerned with the Spirit of God in relation to other spiritual powers[5].

[1] Scott W. Hahn, Romans, ed. Peter S. Williamson and Mary Healy, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017), 294.
[2] Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Ed. (Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2000), 876.
[3] Sean Innerst, “The Catechism as a Ladder of Ascent,” in Speaking the Truth in Love: The Catechism and the New Evangelization, ed. Petroc Willey and Scott Sollom (Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Academic, 2019), 240.
[4] Augustine of Hippo, “True Religion,” in On Christian Belief, ed. Boniface Ramsey, trans. Edmund Hill, vol. I/8, The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century (Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2005), 23.
[5] Wolfgang Vondey, Pentecostal Theology: Living the Full Gospel, ed. Wolfgang Vondey and Daniela C. Augustine, Systematic Pentecostal and Charismatic Theology (London; Oxford; New York; New Delhi; Sydney: Bloomsbury; Bloomsbury T&T Clark: An Imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2017), 159.

Method 3: If you have a small library and no smart search

One can take advantage of AI technology outside Logos by entering the question “What is the economy of salvation?” into the online tool of your choice. Using Perplexity, gave me this result:

The economy of salvation, also known as the divine economy, is a concept in Catholic theology that refers to God's plan and activity in creating, governing, and saving the world[1][2]. This concept encompasses several key aspects:

## God's Revelation and Communication

The economy of salvation describes how God reveals and communicates Himself to the world over time for the sake of humanity's salvation[1]. It is derived from the Greek word "oikonomia," which literally means "management of a household" or "stewardship"[1].

## God's Plan for Salvation

At its core, the economy of salvation focuses on God's plan for the salvation of the world through Jesus Christ[1][5]. This plan is being accomplished through Christ's Body, the Church, in its life and sacraments, which is sometimes referred to as the "sacramental economy"[1].

## Key Elements of the Economy of Salvation

1. **Creation and Governance**: It includes God's activity in creating and governing the world[1][5].

2. **Incarnational Nature**: The divine economy of salvation is sacramental because it is incarnational, as revealed in Jesus Christ[4].

3. **Role of the Church**: The plan is being carried out through the Church, its life, and its sacraments[1].

4. **Centrality of Christ**: Salvation comes through Jesus alone, as He is the one mediator between God and humanity.

## Distinction from Theologia

The Fathers of the Church distinguished the economy of salvation (oikonomia) from theologia[1]. While the economy of salvation refers to God's outward actions in the world, theologia pertains to the mystery of the internal life of the Trinity[1].

## Implications for Understanding Salvation

The concept of the economy of salvation provides a framework for understanding how God works in the world to bring about human salvation. It emphasizes that salvation is not just a single event but a comprehensive plan that encompasses creation, governance, and redemption through Christ and His Church[1][2][5].

Citations:

[1] https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/878/

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Salvation

[3] https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501742118/the-medieval-economy-of-salvation/

[4] https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_cti_20200303_reciprocita-fede-sacramenti_en.html

[5] http://fathermahars.blogspot.com/2007/09/economy-of-salvation.html

https://www.catholic.com/qa/what-is-the-catholic-understanding-of-the-biblical-plan-of-salvation

[7] https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/economy-in-this-world-and-next/

QUESTION: What theological terms are used for “economy of salvation” in other Christian traditions?

SOFTWARE: One use of the AI assisted search is that it serves to “translate” terms from one theological traditions into other traditions. Using a method from the question “What is the economy of salvation?”above, find similar terms in other traditions. Use “What theological terms are used for “economy of salvation” in other Christian traditions?” as your search term.

ANSWER: This is the synopsis from the “all” search in Logos/Verbum:

In Christian theology, the concept of the "economy of salvation" is referred to by various terms across different traditions. One article describes it as "divine economy," derived from the Greek word "oikonomia," which literally means "management of a household" or "stewardship"[1]. This term encompasses God's revelation and communication of himself to the world over time for the salvation of humanity[1]. Some traditions distinguish between "oikonomia" and "theologia," with the latter referring to the internal life of the Trinity[1]. The "economy of salvation" is also described as God's activity in creating and governing the world, particularly his plan for salvation through Jesus Christ and the Church[1]. Another source refers to it as the "divine plan to save humanity from sin and separation from God," unfolding gradually from creation to the consummation of history[2]. It's also described as a "path" or "golden thread" of God's words and deeds in history, progressing towards the redemption and consummation of creation[3]. Some traditions view it through the lens of "divine covenants," seeing a pattern of covenants characterizing the whole economy of salvation history, from creation through to Jesus Christ[4].

[1] Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Ed. (Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2000), 876.
[2] Scott W. Hahn, Romans, ed. Peter S. Williamson and Mary Healy, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017), 294.
[3] Rein Bos, We Have Heard That God Is with You: Preaching the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008), 61.
[4] Scott Hahn, “Covenant,” in The Concise Lexham Bible Dictionary, ed. John D. Barry et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021).

Recognizing similar concepts allows the Logos/Verbum user to use a broader range of their books, So, rather than wondering why Ward, Mark, Jessica Parks, Brannon Ellis, and Todd Hains, eds. Lexham Survey of Theology. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018. has only passing reference to the divine economy/economy of salvation, the Verbum user knows to look under “Covenants” for related materials.