Systematic Theology

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Some of the key takeaways are that systematic theology attempts to summarize what the whole Bible teaches about a given topic, it relates to other theological disciplines like biblical theology and philosophical theology, and it should be studied with prayer, humility, and by understanding all relevant Scripture passages.

The main components of systematic theology are defining it, understanding its relationship to other disciplines, examining reasons for studying it, addressing objections to it, and considering factors like Scripture, tradition, and reason in formulating theological statements.

Related theological disciplines include historical theology, philosophical theology, apologetics, biblical theology, and Christian ethics. Historical theology studies how Christians understood topics over time. Philosophical theology uses philosophy rather than the Bible. Apologetics defends Christianity. Biblical theology focuses on individual biblical authors/sections. Christian ethics examines what God requires of our actions and attitudes.

Lesson 1:

Introduction to
Systematic Theology
Topic Outline:

• Defining systematic theology


• Relationship among other disciplines
• Why study?
• Objections
• How we should study systematic theology
• Factors to consider in formulating theology
Basic definition:
• Systematic theology is any study that answers the question,
“What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given
topic.
• It attempts to summarize the teaching of Scripture in a brief,
understandable, and very carefully formulated statement.
Relationship to other disciplines
A. Historical Theology - a historical study of how Christians in different
periods have understood various theological topics
B. Philosophical Theology - studying theological topics largely without use
of the Bible, but using the tools and methods of philosophical reasoning and
what can be known about God from observing the
universe.
Relationship to other disciplines
C. Apologetics - providing a defense of the truthfulness of the Christian faith
for the purpose of convincing unbelievers
D. Old Testament theology - Asks, “What does Deuteronomy teach
about prayer?” or “What do the Psalms teach about prayer?” or “What does
Isaiah teach about prayer?” or even, “What does the whole Old Testament
teach about prayer and how is that teaching developed over the history of the
Old Testament?”
Relationship to other disciplines
E. New Testament theology - Asks, “What does John’s gospel teach about
prayer?” or “What does Paul teach about prayer?” or even “What does the
New Testament teach about prayer and what is the historical development of
that teaching as it progresses through the New Testament?”
F. Biblical theology - Gives special attention to the teachings
of individual authors and sections of Scripture, and to the place of each
teaching in the historical development of Scripture.4 So one might ask, “What
is the historical development of the teaching about prayer as it is seen
throughout the history of the Old Testament and then of the New Testament?”
Other terms
• Doctrine - What the whole Bible teaches us today about some particular
topic. This is the result of the process of doing systematic theology.
Example Doctrines:
The Doctrine of God, of Word of God [Theology 1]
The Doctrine of Man, of Christ [Theology 2]
The Doctrines of Holy Spirit, Salvation [Theology 3]
The Doctrine of the Church, of the Future [Theology 4]
Other terms
• Christian Ethics - any study that answers the question, “What does
God require us to do and what attitudes does he require us to have
today?” with regard to any given situation. Theology tells us how we
should think while ethics tells us how we should live.
Why study?

• Basic Reason
• Benefits to our Lives
• Overcome wrong ideas
• Able to make better decisions later
• Helps us grow as Christians
Objections

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


Responses can be made:
• We must first ask the people making the objection to tell us at what specific
points.
• It must be answered that in God’s own mind, and in the nature of
reality itself, true facts and ideas are all consistent with one another. Therefore
if we have accurately understood the teachings of God in Scripture we should
expect our conclusions to “fit together” and be mutually consistent.
Objections

• “The Choice of Topics Dictates the Conclusions.”


How should Christians study
systematic theology?
1. We Should Study Systematic Theology With Prayer.
2. We Should Study Systematic Theology With Humility.
3. We Should Study Systematic Theology With Reason.
4. We Should Study Systematic Theology With Help From Others.
5. We Should Study Systematic Theology by Collecting and Understanding
All the Relevant Passages of Scripture on Any Topic.
6. We Should Study Systematic Theology With Rejoicing and Praise.
“Your theology determines your actions,
and your actions determine your
theology.”
Rev. Bob (former APCCS Director)
Factors to consider in formulating theology

1. Scripture
2. Tradition
3. Reason
4. Experience
Other factors to consider

A. World behind the text


B. World of the text
C. World in front of the text
Other factors to consider

A. World behind the text


The world behind the text is a window. Through this window
we look to the past, to the time of the author who produced
the text, and to the time sometime earlier in which the text was
set. The general approach is historical.
Other factors to consider

B. World of the text


The world of the text (also known as the world within the text) is a
picture. This picture shows us the text as it is and what it
says now through its literary features. The general approach is literary.
Other factors to consider

C. World in front of the text


The world in front of the text is a mirror. In this mirror the reader sees
oneself within the text, and sees other readers, the believing Church over
many years, challenged to respond to it now and into the future. The
general approach is theological (‘faith seeking understanding’).
Assignment for Sept 1, 2020

1. Identify the three worlds of the passage Genesis 1:1-2:4b.


Example: Gen 3
• World behind text: Exile (assuming)
• World of the text: The Fall of Man
• World in front of the text: Any issue today in relation to ‘sin’
Assignment for Sept 1, 2020

2. Write a short reflection on how the ‘three worlds


contribute to the meaning of the specific text’
Example: Gen 3
Looking from the perspective of the drug addict (in front of), we can
understand that the sin originated from the beginning of human race
(of) and led to total devastation of human lives (before)…

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