In this first essay in the Systematic Theology class the meaning and importance of Systematic Theology will be explored. Systematic Theology helps us to know what God wants us to believe by studying the Bible for evidence of doctrines to be followed in life and taught through classes and from the pulpit.[1]
The study of God is called Theology,[2] with the emphasis on how He is revealed through the Bible. The Bible reveals all that we need to know about God. When we study the Bible or try to explain the nature of God we start with the assumption of the existence of God or the assumption that God has revealed Himself through the Bible. There is one other way to begin and that is to pose the possibility that both are true at the same time and then build a theological system that can be tested and verified.[3]
When we build a Theological system from the Bible, we are studying the truths that exist in the Bible. When we use Systematic Theology, everything that the Bible says about one of these truths is pulled out, studied and then formulated into a doctrine. When we have a doctrine about each of these truths, they are stated in current context for the culture, and they can be tested against the whole Bible again.[4] Past doctrines, and traditions, along with what individuals, churches, and denominations have taught need to be considered when formulating theological statements.[5] Then all these need to be evaluated against Biblical truth.
There are many different theologies when studying the Bible and they can be classified in many different ways: 1) By era such as Patristic Theology 2) By viewpoint such as Arminian theology 3) By focus such as Historical Theology. Systematic Theology is one of these.[6] Each of the Theologies arranges things in a systematic way, but only Systematic Theology is focused on using all available data of Biblical revelation “to exhibit systematically the total picture of God’s self-revelation.”[7] Through this it provides a total structure of Bible based doctrine.[8]
Being given this structure of Doctrine that has been studied and processed by individuals who devote lots of time and effort to Systematic Theology, lay people can trust and use these doctrines in their lives. If there were no structure of proven systematic truths available to lay people, they would have to trust their pastor completely, or spend inordinate amounts of time educating themselves. If they are to read such a book as Grudem’s Systematic Theology, they “should find his or her Christian life enriched and deepened,”[9] by studying it.
Christian doctrine must be believed, confessed, taught from generation to generation, and applied to daily life.[10] In order to continue the systematic study of the Scriptures, a pastor needs to keep teaching on the doctrines that have been established by Systematic Theology. “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:1-2 NKJ) If the lay people are to learn anything about the real beliefs of the church surrounding the God that they worship, these beliefs need to be taught from the pulpit on Sunday morning.[11] Every sermon need not be dry theological teaching, but the main body of the church and probably the ones that need the teaching the most, will not hear it if it is not taught then. Most people will not come to Sunday night or Wednesday night services, nor will they get together with a small group to truly study the doctrines of belief. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJ). Leaders of congregations can teach church doctrine from the pulpit in small portions each Sunday. Small groups can also be set up to read through a book such as “50 Core Truths Of The Christian Faith: A Guide to Understanding and Teaching Theology.” By Gregg R. Allison.
[1] Stanley Grenz, David Guretzki, and Cherith Fee Nordling, Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999), 113.
[2] Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 8.
[3] Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 18.
[4] Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004), 23.
[5] Paul I. Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, Rev. ed. (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014), 154.
[6] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999), 12–13.
[7] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999), 15.
[8] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999), 15.
[9] Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004), 23.
[10] Gregg R. Allison, 50 Core Truths Of The Christian Faith: A Guide to Understanding and Teaching Theology, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books 2018), 1.
[11] Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004), 23.
Bibliography
Allison, Gregg R. 50 Core Truths Of The Christian Faith: A Guide to Understanding and Teaching Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2018.
Enns, Paul I. The Moody Handbook of Theology. Rev. ed. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.
Grenz, Stanley, David Guretzki, and Cherith Fee Nordling. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999.
Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004.
Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999.
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