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Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

Definition of Systematic Theology:. Any study that answers the question,

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Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

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    1. Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem Introduction Week One

    2. Definition of Systematic Theology: Any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible say to us today?” about any given topic (--John Frame, RTS)

    3. Systematic Theology 1. Emphases What the whole Bible has to say on a topic. Application to us today 2. Meaning of “systematic” Organized Reasoned As opposed to disorganized 3. Meaning of “doctrine” 4. Every Christian does “Systematic theology”

    4. Systematic Theology Relation to other disciplines 1. Biblical theology (emphasis on historical development, individual authors) a. Old Testament b. New Testament 2. Historical theology 3. Philosophical theology 4. Apologetics 5. Ethics

    5. Systematic Theology Initial Assumptions of Course A. The Bible is true B. God exists and is who the Bible says he is C. We will also add our willingness to submission to God and God’s direction

    6. Systematic Theology Why should we study systematic theology? A. There are many inadequate answers B. The basic reason: To obey the Great Commission 1. Matt. 28:18-20(= to learn and teach “all that Jesus commanded”) 2. “All that Jesus commanded” 3. But teaching requires summarizing and synthesizing Scripture (systematic theology gives answers to our questions!) C. Other benefits 1. Helps us overcome wrong ideas 2. Better decisions later (e.g. jigsaw puzzle) 3. Helps us grow as Christians (Col. 1:9-10; 1 Tim. 4:6, 6:3)

    7. Systematic Theology Objections to systematic theology 1. “Conclusions too neat to be true”; “must be distorting Scripture” Answer: a. Where misinterpreting Scripture? b. Truth should fit together, be consistent 2. “The choice of topics dictates the conclusion” Answer: a. It is right to ask questions of Scripture which were not the main concern of biblical authors b. Alternative: “unsystematic theology”; “disorderly and random theology” c. Any order of topics— if we use the entire Bible we should get the same answers

    8. Systematic Theology How should Christians study systematic theology? (= how should we study Scripture?) A. With prayer (Ps. 119:18; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 1:17-19; Note on meditation on Scripture: Ps.1:2) B. With humility (1 Pet. 5:5; Jas. 1:19-20, 3:13, 17-18; 1 Cor. 8:1) C. With reason 1. “We are free to use our reasoning abilities to draw deductions from any passage of Scripture as long as those deductions do not contradict the clear teaching of some other passage of Scripture” (Isa. 55:8-9; Ps. 139:6; Rom. 11:33-34) 2. Paradox is acceptable in systematic theology (“a seemingly contradictory statement that may nevertheless be true”); (inevitable with finite understanding) 3. Contradiction is not acceptable (Ps. 119:160) D. With help from others (1 Cor. 12:28) E. With rejoicing and praise (Deut. 6:5-6; Ps. 139:17; Rom. 11:33-36)

    9. Systematic Theology Causes of theological error A. Not: obscurity of Scripture B. But: usually personal sins 1. Pride (1 Tim. 6:4; 2 Pet. 2:18) 2. Greed (1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Pet. 2:3, 14-15) 3. Cowardice (in face of cultural trends/pressures) (Gal. 2:12, 5:11; Luke 6:22-23) 4. Laziness, negligence in studying Scripture (then following personal leaders instead)(Ps. 1:2; Gal. 2:13; 2 Pet. 2:2) 5. Other personal sins (2 Pet. 2:13-14, 18-19; 1 Tim. 1:9-10, 19-20)

    10. Systematic Theology More important / less important doctrines A. Does it affect other doctrines? B. Does it affect people’s faith, Christian life? C. P.S. Note that people can take any minor doctrine and make it “major” (split churches) Lets us Major in the Majors, and lets us agree to disagree on the minors

    11. Systematic Theology Relationship between doctrine and life A. Sound doctrine is a necessary part of Christian maturity (Eph. 4:12-14; Titus 1:9, 2:1-6, 10; Col. 1:9-10, 29; 1 Tim. 6:3) B. False doctrine harms the church, turns people away form the faith (Titus 1:11, Rom. 1:18, 21, 25; 1 Tim. 1:5-6, 10, 4:1, 6:20-21; Acts 20:27) Note the harm from unbelieving “Christian” churches

    12. Systematic Theology Our challenge A. Titus 1:9 “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.” B. Col. 1:28-29 “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.” C. Jude 3 “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.”

    13. Systematic Theology What are the distinctive emphases of Wayne’s approach to systematic theology? A. Clear Biblical Basis for Doctrines B. Clarity in the Explanation of Doctrines C. Application to Life D. Focus on the Evangelical World E. Hope for Progress in Doctrinal Unity in the Church F. A Sense of the Urgent Need for Greater Doctrinal Understanding in the Whole Church

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