Introduction to Systematic Theology

1. Introduction to Systematic Theology

2. DEFINITION: •  THEOLOGY • qeo,j, theos- God • lo,goj, logos- word, study, discourse • SYSTEMATIC • suni,sthmi, sunista’,nw-- Synistemi, Synistano- comprehend, put together, organize • Systematic Theology is “that department or section of theology which is concerned with setting forth systematically, that is to say, as a concatenated whole, what is known concerning God.” Warfield, Studies in Theology, 91. Systematic Theology: Introduction

3. THEOLOGICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA: • Apologetics, “How can we know Christianity is right?” • Exegetical Theology, “What does the text say?” • Canonics • Textual Criticism • Biblical Languages • Biblical History/Archaeology • Hermeneutics • Exegesis Proper Systematic Theology: Introduction

4. THEOLOGICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA: • Biblical Theology, “What does the Bible teach about ______?” • Systematic Theology, “What is true about ______?” • Historical Theology, “What has the Church believed about ______?” • Practical Theology, “How does the Church live its belief about ______?” • Pastoral Care/Counseling • Christian Education • Homiletics/Liturgics • Evangelism/Missions • Church Administration Systematic Theology: Introduction

5. VALUES OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: • We are individuals who think systematically • Is there a relationship between fact A and fact B or fact C? • Since our minds think systematically, we must reflect on the data of scripture systematically • Cornelius Van Til reminds us, “it's with our God-created minds which are systematic that we think and inevitably rework the content of revelation.” Systematic Theology: Introduction

6. VALUES OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: • Systematic Theology holds before us the full panoply of scriptural truth • This helps us to maintain a proper balance theologically and biblically • It also helps us to avoid tendencies toward emotionalism or intellectualism Systematic Theology: Introduction

7. VALUES OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: • What is beneficial for the minister, for the trained theologian, is also beneficial for the individual believer and the church as a whole • As we study, we come to certain conclusions about truth • We are able to convey those conclusions to others within the Church • They, in turn, are fortified against false doctrine and heresy. So the studied conclusions of Systematic Theology enable us to strengthen our parishioners Systematic Theology: Introduction

8. VALUES OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: • Those who study the scriptures systematically will inevitably preach theologically: i.e., the whole counsel of god- thus attaining a balance in ministry • Systematic Theology leads to accuracy and precision • Machen, What is Faith?, 163, “In religion, as well as in other spheres a precise terminology is mentally economical in the end; it repays amply the slight effort required for the mastery of it.” Systematic Theology: Introduction

9. VALUES OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: • It provides the Best Defense of the Faith • Cornelius Van Til: “The best apologetic defense will be made by him who knows the truth in the Scriptures best. For the fight between Christianity and non-Christianity is, in modern times, no piecemeal affair.” It is “a life and death struggle between two mutually opposed world and life views.” • Those outside the Christian faith are themselves systematic in the development of their dogmas • Those who engage in Systematic Theology are better able to provide a consistent Christian world and life view to answer the question, “What does it mean for Jesus Christ to be Lord of all?” Systematic Theology: Introduction

10. VALUES OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: • Benjamin B. Warfield, in The Indispensableness of Systematic Theology to the Preacher, said, “It has been argued that the business of the preacher is to make Christians not theologians and that for this he needs not a thorough systematic knowledge of the whole circle that is called Christian doctrine but chiefly a firm faith in Jesus Christ as savior and a warm love towards him as Lord.” But, Warfield said, “We cannot preach at all without preaching doctrine and the type of religious life which grows up under our preaching will be determined by the nature of the doctrines which we preach.” Systematic Theology: Introduction

11. LIMITATIONS OF THEOLOGY: • Presupposition: “Finitum non capax infiniti.” That is to say, the finite is not capable of the infinite. • Theology deals with mystery at every hand • Limitations (A.H. Strong, Systematic Theology, I, 34ff) • Necessary Mysteries: The Trinity, by definition, is beyond our comprehension and not subject to the laws of logic • Accidental Mysteries: Sometimes there are insufficient facts, so that we do not have access to all the data we might need to answer all the questions that arise. The opening chapters of Genesis are sufficient for their purpose, but do not provide all the data we might find desirable • Inadequacy of Language: The terms, “Substance,” “Person,” “Eternity” all tell us something about significant theological debates. But, in spite of all they tell us, there are many shortcomings due to the limitations of words and their ability to reflect concepts that defy comprehension Systematic Theology: Introduction

12. LIMITATIONS OF THEOLOGY: • Limitations (A.H. Strong, Systematic Theology, I, 34ff), cont. • Incomplete Knowledge of Scripture: We do not know all parts of Scripture and the parts we know we do not know equally well • Silence of Revelation (Deut. 29:29): There is much that God has not seen fit to reveal; there is much we are incapable of receiving • Lack of Spiritual Discernment (I Cor. 2:14): “A theologian is not fitted for his undertaking unless he knows the power of the redemptive provision of which Scripture is the revelation.” John Murray, “Systematic Theology,” Collected Writings, IV, 4 Systematic Theology: Introduction

13. SUBJECT MATTER OF THEOLOGY: • “CONSCIOUSNESS” THEOLOGIANS • The proper subject matter of theology is the experience of the individual believer. • F. D.W. Schleiermacher: He says, “ . . . the doctrines in all their forms have their ultimate ground so exclusively in the emotions of the religious self-consciousness, that where these do not exist the doctrines cannot arise.” The Christian Faith, E.T., 78. Systematic Theology: Introduction

14. SUBJECT MATTER OF THEOLOGY: • Albrecht Ritschl: The proper subject matter of theology is Jesus Christ as experienced by the Church • “Two characteristics are perceptible in religious conceptions which must be stated at the very outset. They are always the possession of a community and they express not merely a relations between God and man, but always at the same time a relations toward the world on the part of God and those who believe in Him.” A. Ritschl, Justification and Reconciliation, E.T., 27. • “If, therefore, justification and reconciliation of sinners are the leading features of the Christian religion, they can be correctly examined and explained in the case of the individual only when at the same time we take note of his place in the Christian community.” J & R, 28. Systematic Theology: Introduction

15. SUBJECT MATTER OF THEOLOGY: • REFORMED THEOLOGIANS • Benjamin B. Warfield, of Old Princeton Seminary: the proper subject matter of theology is “God in his nature and in his relations to his creatures,” or “the facts concerning God and his relations to his creatures.” Warfield, Studies in Theology, 58. Cf. Shorter Catechism Q. 3. “What do the Scriptures principally teach?” A. “The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of him.” Systematic Theology: Introduction

16. SUBJECT MATTER OF THEOLOGY: • REFORMED THEOLOGIANS • Donald Bloesch, retired professor of theology at Dubuque, “Its [i.e., theology’s] norm is Scripture, but its field or arena of action is the cultural context in which we find ourselves. It is engaged in reflection not on abstract divinity or on concrete humanity but on the Word made flesh, the divine in the human.” Bloesch, Word and Spirit, 114. • Gordon Spykman, retired professor of theology at Calvin Seminary says, “The key position in a three-factor view of reality belongs to the Word of God. It is the religious bond, the unbreakable link which binds the Creator and his creatures together in covenant partnership.” Gordon Spykman, Reformational Theology, 76. Systematic Theology: Introduction

17. Introduction to Systematic Theology