Systematic Theology Joseph M. Holden All rights reserved 2007 1 Table of Contents Prolegomena ........................................................................................ 4 Bibliology .......................................................................................... 16 Theology Proper ................................................................................. 68 Christology ........................................................................................ 97 Pneumatology .................................................................................. 126 Angelology ....................................................................................... 139 Anthropology and Hamartology .......................................................... 145 Soteriology ...................................................................................... 154 Ecclesiology ..................................................................................... 169 Eschatology ..................................................................................... 180 All rights reserved 2007 Joseph M. Holden 2 “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” ~ John 17:3 3 Prolegomena Prolegomena (lit. before I speak ) is the first topic in systematic theology to be studied since it lays the preparatory foundation for theological study by addressing introductory matters such as definitions, methodology, and justifying the possibility of conducting theological research. I. Definition of Systematic Theology? A. The term theology comes from the Greek word theos (God) and logos (word or discourse). Theology is the study, speaking, thinking or discoursing about God. 1 B. The word “theology” does not appear in Scripture, however, its idea is ever present. Originally, the word ( theologia ) was used in Greek culture to refer to the philosophers’ discussions about divine matters. 2 1. Plato referred to the poets’ stories about the gods as “theologies.” 2. Aristotle regarded theology as the “study of God,” which was the greatest of sciences because God is considered the highest reality. C. The word systematic comes from the Greek verb sunistano (to organized or to stand together). 3 Therefore, systematic theology emphasizes the collection and organization of Christian doctrine. D. What is Systematic Theology? Augustine defines theology to be the “rational discussion respecting the deity;” 4 Aquinas asserts that “sacred doctrine” is “partly speculative and partly practical, it transcends all others speculative and practical. .In both these respects this science surpasses other speculative sciences; in point of greater certitude, because other sciences derive their certitude from the natural light of human reason, which can err; whereas this derives its certitude from the light of the divine knowledge, which cannot be misled.” 5 Lewis Sperry Chafer says “Systematic Theology may be defined as the collecting, scientifically arranging, comparing, exhibiting, and defending of all facts from any and every source concerning God and His works.” 6 1 Henry C. Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, revised edition (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979), 1-2. 2 Walter Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984), 1064. 3 Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology (Chicago: Moody Press, 1989), 147. 4 Augustine, City of God VIII.i. 5 Aquinas, Summa Theologica , Bk I..Q1.Art5 6 Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology (Dallas: Dallas Theological Seminary, 1947), 1:6. 4 W.G.T. Shedd said “Theology is the science of God. The Supreme being is the object and theme of theological investigation.” 7 Millard Erickson defines theology as “that discipline which strives to give a coherent statement of the doctrines of the Christian faith, based primarily upon the Scriptures, placed in context of culture in general, worded in a contemporary idiom, and related to issues of life.” 8 Charles Ryrie says systematic theology “correlates the data of biblical revelation as a whole in order to exhibit systematically the total picture of God’s self-revelation.” 9 Gerald Bray of Oak Hill College in London describes systematic theology as “the development which has organized specific theological principles and beliefs into a coherent whole, in which each part is shown to have direct bearing on and relevance to the others.” 10 Wayne Grudem of Phoenix Seminary in Scottsdale, AZ, “Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, ‘What does the whole Bible teach us today?’ about any given topic. This definition indicates that systematic theology involves the collecting and understanding all the relevant passages in the Bible on various topics and then summarizing their teachings clearly so that we know 11 what to believe about each topic.” E. Varieties of Theology Biblical Theology – Studies theology using Bible alone (John or Paul etc.) Theology Proper – Is a section within systematic theology that studies the nature and existence of God. The word “proper” distinguishes the study of God specifically from the study of theology in general . Historical Theology – Studies the past unfolding and development of theology through the ages (stresses process of doctrine with chronology). Dogmatic Theology – Study of theology within a creedal system (Calvinistic, Arminian, Catholic, Dispensational, etc.) Natural Theology – Is the attempt to gain understanding about God without appealing to Bible or Christ. Emphasis is on nature (general revelation) and reason, rather than Scripture (special revelation). 7 W.G.T. Shedd , Dogmatic Theology , Vol I , rpt. edition (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, n.d.), 17. 8 Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology , 3 Vols, (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1983), 1:17-149. 9 Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986, 1999), 15. 10 Gerald L. Bray, “Systematic Theology” in Sinclair B. Ferguson, David F. Wright, and J.I. Packer, eds., New Dictionary of Theology (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 671. 11 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 21. 5 Systematic Theology – Organizes essential Christian doctrines using the entire Bible, church fathers, history, philosophy, creeds, to discover truth in order to form a coherent doctrinal system. Topics within systematic theology: Prolegomena: introduction, definitions and justification of theology Bibliology: study of the nature and character of the Bible, including its inspiration, canonization, transmission, translation and reliability Theology Proper: study of the person and nature of God Christology: study of the person, natures and work of Christ Pneumatology: study of the person, nature, and work of the Holy Spirit Angelology: study of the origin, nature, and ministry of angels Anthropology: study of the origin, nature, destiny, and condition of man Hamartology: stud of the origin, effect, extent, defeat and consequences of sin Soteriology: study of the nature, method, and application of salvation Ecclesiology: study of the origin, nature, mission and destiny of the church Eschatology: study of end times II. Why Systematic Theology? A. It fulfills one major part of the great commission (Mt 28:19-20; teaching) B. It clarifies, defines and organizes the fundamental doctrines of the Christian Faith. Confusion is diminished or altogether eliminated. 1 Timothy 6:20 – Avoid the godless chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, for by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith. C. It helps defend the Faith (apologetics). It is essential to make proper theological distinctions when speaking to unbelievers, cults, and antagonists. Error is not known by its similarities to the truth, but by its differences . 2 Timothy 2:24-25 – And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, and apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness. 6 D. It helps mature the believer with truth and protect against error. The Apostle Paul often builds a doctrinal foundation on which to exhort believers to godly living (Ephesians 1-3; 4-6 Romans 1-8; 9-11; 12-16). E. Truth is protective, liberating, and maturing Psalm 91:4 – His truth shall be your shield and buckler John 8:32 – Jesus said, you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free Ephesians 5:25-26 – Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleans her by the washing of water by the word Ephesians 6:14 – Stand therefore, having girded your waist with the truth. F. It helps the believer fulfill the greatest commandment by worshipping the Lord “with all our mind” G. It helps the believer understand how various passages relate to each other and other doctrines expressed in Scripture Acts 20:27 - For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Hebrews 10:7 – Behold, I have come – In the volume of the book it is written of me- To do your will, O God III. Objections to Theology A. “Since theology is man’s system of organizing doctrine it must be false” 1. The Apostles were all human, humans do not err all the time, only sometime 2. God gave the church gifted human “teachers” (Eph 4:11; 1 Cor 12:28-29) 3. Even verse-by-verse exposition calls for a human interpretive element 4. It is self-defeating: If this objection is true, then we should reject it since it’s a statement given by humans B. “We don’t need theology, only the Bible” 1. This statement is a theological statement