· Prolegomena ·

Lecture Two:  Why Study Theology?

TH330 Systematic Theology I · Moody Bible Institute · Dr. Richard M. Weber

I. Why Should Christians Study Theology?

A. To Study Theology is to Obey the Lord

1. The Command

Matt 28:18-20.  “Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…”

2. The Contents

a. The New Testament

i. The Gospels

ii. The Epistles

(a) The Epistles were written under the supervision of the Spirit

John 14:26.  “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”  (Cf. John 16:13)

(b) The Epistles were considered to the be “command of the Lord”

1 Cor 14:37.  “If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.” (Cf. 1 Thess 4:15)

b. The Old Testament

3. Conclusion:  To Obey the Great Commission is to Study and Teach Theology

“The task of fulfilling the Great Commission includes therefore not only evangelism but also teaching.  And the task of teaching all that Jesus commanded us is, in a broad sense, the task of teaching what the whole Bible says to us today.  To effectively teach ourselves and to teach others what the whole Bible says, it is necessary to collect and summarize all the Scripture passages on a particular subject.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 27)

“The basic reason for studying systematic theology, then, is that it enables us to teach ourselves and others what the whole Bible says, thus fulfilling the second part of the Great Commission.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 27-28).

B. To Study Theology is To Do What is Best For Ourselves

1. Studying Theology Aids in Overcoming Wrong Thinking

2. Studying Theology Aids in Docrinal and Ethical Decision-Making

a. Doctrinal Matters

b. Ethical Matters

3. Studying Theology Aids in Personal Spiritual Growth

“The more we know about God, about his Word, about his relationships to the modern world and mankind, the better we will trust him, the more fully we will praise him, and the more readily we will obey him.  Studying systematic theology rightly will make us more mature Christians.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 29)

II. Why Do Some Christians Object To the Study of Theology?

A. Objection #1

1. Objection:  The Results of Systematic Theology are Too “Neat” and “Tidy”

2. Responses to Objection #1

a. Address Each Specific Point Raised

b. Truth Agrees With Truth

B. Objection #2

1. Objection:  Pre-Determined Topics Shape the Theologian’s View of Texts

2. Response to Objection #2

III. How Should Christians Study Theology?

A. Study Systematic Theology Prayerfully

Psalm 119:18:  “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

“No matter how intelligent, if the study does not continue to pray for God to give him or her an understanding mind and a believing and humble heart, and the student does not maintain a personal walk with the Lord, then the teachings of Scripture will be misunderstood and disbelieved, doctrinal error will result, and the mind and heart of the student will not be changed for the better but for the worse.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 33)

“[T]he proper thing to do, particularly when we are unable to understand some passage or some doctrine of Scripture, is to pray for God’s help.  Often what we need is not more data but more insight into the data we already have available.  This insight is given only by the Holy Spirit.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 33)

B. Study Systematic Theology Humbly

“Who is wise and of understanding among you?  By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.  … But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.  And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  (James 3:13, 17-18)

“Systematic theology rightly studied will not lead to the knowledge that ‘puffs up’ (1 Cor. 8:1) but to humility and love for others.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 33)

C. Study Systematic Theology Reasonably

“We are free to use our reasoning abilities to draw deductions from any passage of Scripture so long as these deductions do not contradict the clear teaching of some other passage of Scripture.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 34)

D. Study Systematic Theology Corporately

E. Study Systematic Theology Biblically

1. Find the Relevant Texts

2. Digest the Relevant Texts

3. Summarize the Relevant Texts

F. Study Systematic Theology Worshipfully

“The study of theology is not merely a theoretical exercise of the intellect.  It is a study of the living God, and of the wonders of all his works in creation and redemption.  We cannot study this subject dispassionately!  We must love all that God is, all that he says and all that he does.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 37)

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!”  (Psalm 139:17)

“In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.”  (Psalm 119:14)

“Your testimonies are my heritage for ever; yea, they are the joy of my heart.”  (Palm 119:111)