Intro to Theology

Is theology possible?

Why?

Who can do theology?

Why?

1 Cor 2:10 “But to us God revealed them through the Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.”

1 Cor 2:14 “But a natural man does not accept the depths of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually examined.”

Matt 13:11 “And Jesus answered and said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.”

Matt 11:25 “At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.”

Matt 16:17 “And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”

The non-Christian, cannot do theology, properly speaking. You see this in the academy from the enlightenment on. We have professors who are not born again believers. They put out commentaries and articles and books without a lick of Spiritual insight.

How do we divide up Theology?

Archetypal- the original. The original pattern.

Ectypal- Copy or imitation.

Archetypal.

Deut 29:29, Rom 11, Job 28

God’s knowledge of Himself and all things related to Him. He also knows all possibilities. And they don’t exist because he didn’t will them to be. And they exist because of His will.

Ectypal.

This could be called accommodated theology.

Deut 29:29, Eph 3,

Is it a problem to be a creature?

Is it less meaningful or less true because it’s not God’s?

What hinder’s our theology?

What kind of posture should we take?

Model Examples of this approach.

“Faith seeking understanding.”

“I do not understand in order that I might believe, but I believe in order that I might understand.”

Augustine says, “If I come to a passage that is hard to understand or seems to contradict other Scripture, I know that either one it is my own darkness that cannot reconcile it, or it will be made clear to me at a later time.” He understands both his creatureliness and his fact that there is still remaining sin in him.

Further Definitions of Theology.

Thomas Aquinas 1225-1274

Theology

“But in theology, all things are treated of under the aspect of God: either because they are God Himself or because they refer to God as their beginning and end.”

Notice how Thomas encapsulates all things in his definition. He understands that everything tends towards God’s glory, hence, everything must have it’s first consideration in God as Creator, Director, Redeemer.

Modern definition

“God and all things in relation to God”

E.g., when we get to the doctrine of Sanctification we haven’t gotten beyond the doctrine of God and on to practical matters. We have been, and are still in both under a different consideration.

*See board

Franciscus Junius 1545-1602

Archetypal Theology-

“is the divine wisdom of divine matters. Indeed, we stand in awe of this and do not seek to trace it out.”

“Therefore about this infinite and amazing wisdom of God, what more shall we say? We said it before with one assertion; that we should not seek to trace it out but rather stand in awe. Whatever we can say about this wisdom is nothing in comparison to it. Whatever it is, it is infinite; it cannot be expressed. It is in itself amazing, and we ought to behold it with the highest reverence.”

Ectypal Theology

“the wisdom of divine matters, fashioned by God from the archetype of Himself, through the communication of grace for His own glory.”

“…according to the capacity of the created things themselves.”

William Perkins 1558-1602

Theology

“The science of living blessedly forever.”

*Science- Theology was considered the queen of the sciences. All other fields of study served and were subordinate to the Queen. Contrary to popular believe, philosophy-for folks like Aquinas, Perkins, Reformers, and Puritans- was considered as a handmaiden to theology.

"The word of God is God's wisdom revealing from heaven the truth which is according to godliness."

William Ames 1576-1633

Theology

“Theology is the doctrine or teaching of living to God”

Rom 6:11 “Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” **

“The two parts of theology are faith and observance”

2 Tim 1:13 “Hold to the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

Petrus Van Mastricht 1630-1706

Dutch further reformer. Emphasis was on practical aspect of theology hitting home in the lives of Christians. Very much pastoral in aim. ( see a Brakel TCRS). Jonathan Edwards favorite theologian.

Theoretical-Practical Theology

“Theology is the doctrine of living for God through Christ”

*Union with Christ is picked up in this definition.

“This theoretical-practical Christian theology is nothing less than the doctrine of living for God through Christ, in other words, the doctrine that is according to godliness( 1 Tim 6:3), and likewise the knowledge of the truth that is according to godliness (Titus 1:1).”

1 Tim 6:3 “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words—those of our Lord Jesus Christ—and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,”

Notice how the two cannot be separated.

Titus 1:1 “Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s elect and the full knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,”

Conclusion.

Our approach is to a humble, believing approach, a dependent approach. It is an awe inspiring thing when we consider God in himself and the fact the He has graciously condescended to us. It is one that is both doctrinal and practical, theoretical and practical. And it is to be prayerful. Show me wonderful things Lord. Ask, seek, knock, and it will be given. Let him ask God for wisdom, who gives without reservation.