Grudem's "Systematic Theology" | Chapter 1: Introduction to Systematic Theology

Definition of systematic theology

Systematic theology is the study on what the whole Bible teaches about any given topic. This is discovered by collecting, understanding, and summarizing relevant teachings passages in the Bible regarding each topic.

Relationship to Other Disciplines

• Systematic theology is different from historical theology, philosophical theology, and apologetics in that systematic theology interacts directly with the biblical text to understand what the Bible itself says about various theological subjects
• Systematic theology makes Scripture the final authority on what we are to believe…not history, philosophy, or logic
• Systematic theology is different from Old Testament theology, New Testament theology, and biblical theology in that these three disciplines organize their topics historically and in the order the topics are presented in the Bible
• Biblical theology focuses on the historical development of the biblical authors, original hearers and readers understanding of doctrine while systematic theology focuses on the collection and summary of the teaching of all biblical passages on a particular subject

Application to Life

• Systematic focuses on summarizing each doctrine as it should be understood today by present-day Christians
• This can sometimes lead to the use of terms and concept not explicitly used or taught in Scripture such as the “Trinity”, “incarnation”, or “deity of Christ”
• Correct systematic theology along with proper study should lead to an enriched and deepened Christian life

Systematic Theology and Disorganized Theology

• Any time a Christian seeks to answer “What does the Bible say about…”, they are engaging in systematic theology
• The difference between this informal systematic theology and formal systematic theology is that formal systematic theology:
• Treats biblical topics in a carefully organized way
• Treats topics in much more detail that most Christians do
• Makes it possible to formulate summaries of biblical teachings with much more accuracy that Christians normally would without such a study
• Finds and treats fairly all the relevant Bible passages for each particular topic
• It is inevitable that someone studying a systematic theology text for the first time will have many of his or her own personal beliefs challenged, modified, refined or enriched
• Such person should resolve to abandon as false any idea which is found to be clearly contradicted by Scripture yet resolve no to believe a particular doctrine just because it is found in a textbook

What are Doctrines?

• Doctrine is what the whole Bible teaches us today about some particular topic
• Major areas of study are:
• The Word of God
• God
• Man
• Christ and the Holy Spirit
• Application of Redemption
• Church
• Future
• Major doctrinal categories are:
• Most emphasized in Scripture
• Most significant throughout the history of the church and have been important for all Christians at all times
• Important for Christians in the present history of the church
• The difference between systematic theology and Christian ethics is that systematic theology is what God wants us to believe and to know while Christian ethics is what God wants us to do and what attitudes He wants us to have

Why should Christians study theology?

• To fulfill the Great Commission by not only evangelizing but also teaching
• To overcome our wrong ideas
• To be able to make better decisions
• To help us grow as Christians

Sound doctrine is connected with maturity in Christian living (1 Tim. 6:3; Titus 1:1) and that all kinds of disobedience and immorality are contrary to sound doctrine (1 Tim. 1:10).

Christians need to ask God to give them mature wisdom and sound judgment as to what doctrines should be considered major and which ones should be considered minor.

Common objections to the study of systematic theology

• “The conclusions are ‘too neat’ to be true.” Two responses to such an objection are:
1. This skeptical viewpoint must by rejected by evangelicals who see Scripture are the product of human and divine authorship that teach noncontradictory truths about God and the universe He created
2. True facts and ideas are all consistent with one another and conclusions should fit together and be mutually consistent
• “The choice of topics dictates the conclusions.” The only alternative is to form our opinions haphazardly from a general impression of what we feel to be a “biblical” position, or with limited texts—unsystematic theology. However, such an alternative is too subjective and to subject to cultural pressures that can lead to doctrinal uncertainty and in turn a theologically immature church.

How should Christians study systematic theology?

1. With prayer
2. With humility
3. With reason
4. With help from others
5. By collecting and understanding all the relevant passages of scripture on any topic. This is done by:
• Finding all relevant verses
• Reading, making notes on, and summarizing the points made in the relevant verses
• Summarizing the teachings of the various verses into one or more points that the Bible affirms about that subject
6. With rejoicing and praise

Notes from Wayne Grudem's "Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine"