Introduction

Systematic Theology for Dummies

EXPLANATION & SCRIPTURAL BASIS

A. Definition of Systemic Theology

Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic.

1. Relationship to Other Disciplines.

Emphasis not on:

Historical theology – a historical study of how Christians in different periods have
understood various theological topics

Philosophical theology – studying theological topics largely w/out use of the
Bible, but using the tools & methods of philosophical reasoning and
what can be known about God from observing the universe

Apologetics – providing a defense of the truthfulness of the Christian faith for the
purpose of convincing unbelievers

**only Scripture has the final authority to define what we are to believe

2. Application to Life

Systematic theology focuses on summarizing each doctrine as it should be understood by present-day Christians.

3. Systematic Theology & Disorganized Theology

Most Christians actually do systematic theology (or at least make systematic-theological statements) many times a week.

Ex: “The Bible says…”

Systematic – carefully organized by topics

4. What are Doctrines?

A doctrine is what the whole Bible teaches us today about some particular topic.



Part 1: The Doctrine of the Word of God
Part 2: The Doctrine of God
Part 3: The Doctrine of Man
Part 4: The Doctrines of Christ and the Holy Spirit
Part 5: The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption
Part 6: The Doctrine of the Church
Part 7: The Doctrine of the Future

Criteria:
1) doctrines most emphasized in Scripture
2) doctrines that have been most significant throughout the history of the
church & have been important for all Christians at all times
3) doctrines that have been important for Christians in the present situation
in the history of the church

B. Initial Assumptions

1. The Bible is true & our only absolute standard of the Truth
2. The God who is spoken of in the Bible exists, and that he is who the Bible says
he is.

C. Why Should Christians Study Theology?

1. The Basic Reason

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all
that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the
age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

2. The Benefits to Our Lives

Studying theology helps us: overcome our wrong ideas.
be able to make better decisions later.
grow as Christians.

Major vs. Minor Doctrine

D. A Note on Two Objections to the Study of Systematic Theology

1. “The Conclusions Are ‘Too Neat’ to be True.”

1. Find specific points of misinterpretation & make corrections
2. Internal consistency is an argument for individual results of systematic theology.

2. “The Choice of Topics Dictates the Conclusions.”

“The whole counsel of God” Acts 20:27
“children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine”
Ephesians 4:14

E. How Should Christians Study Systematic Theology?

1. We should Study Systematic Theology With Prayer

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law
Psalm 119:18

The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they
are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are
spiritually discerned. I Corinthians 2:14

2. We Should Study Systematic Theology With Humility

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God
opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble’ I Peter 5:5

Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger
of man does not work the righteousness of God James 1:19-20

3. We Should Study Systematic Theology With Reason

We are free to use our reasoning abilities to draw deductions from any passage of
Scripture so long as these deductions do not contradict the clear teaching of some other passage of Scripture.

Paradox – a seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true

Ex: God is 3 persons and 1 God…seemingly contradictory

Vs.

God is 3 persons & God is not 3 persons…true contradion

4. We Should Study Systematic Theology With Help From Others

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third
teachers… I Corinthians 12:28


5. We Should Study Systematic Theology by Collecting and Understanding All
the Relevant Passages of Scripture on Any Topic

1. Find all relevant verses
2. Read, make notes on & summarize verse points
3. Summarize teachings


6. We should Study Systematic Theology With Rejoicing and Praise

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart Deuteronomy 6:5

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! Psalm 139:17

I rejoice at your word
Like one who finds great spoil. Psalm 119:162