Week 1 - Introduction to Systematic Theology

I. What is systematic theology?

a. Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today about any given topic?

i. A collection of all Bible passages surrounding a specific topic.

ii. A summarization of what the Bible teaches about the specific doctrine or teaching.

II. What is Theology?

a. “Theos” – God

b. “Logos” – Word or message

III. The goal of systematic theology

a. The goal is the application of the doctrine to life, not just information.

IV. The importance of systematizing theology

a. Everyone is a theologian of sorts

i. We live and make decisions based upon our beliefs

b. Systematic theology carefully organizes what the Scriptures say

c. Systematic theology treats Scripture with more detail

i. Believe in Jesus and you will be saved.

1. What is it to believe?

2. Who is Jesus and why believe in him?

3. Why do I need to be saved? From what?

4. What is sin?

5. What happens in salvation?

d. Systematic theology formulates summaries with much more accuracy

i. It protects against disorganized theology

1. Example: Christ’s deity and humanity are studied together

2. Example: God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility

3. God is One (Deut. 6) yet Triune in nature (Gen. 1 - “Let us…)

e. Ideas and beliefs may be challenged

i. We must resolve to hold to what Scripture says and teaches

V. What is doctrine?

a. “A doctrine is what the Bible teaches us about some particular topic.”

i. It is the result of the process of systematic theology

b. Doctrines can be broad (show books)

i. Doctrine of God

c. Doctrines can be narrow (show books)

i. The doctrine of God’s eternal nature

ii. The doctrine of God’s immutability

iii. The doctrine of the Trinity

VI. Why should Christians study Theology?

a. Obedience

i. Matthew 28:19-20 – “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;”

b. The benefits to our lives

i. Helps us overcome wrong ideas

ii. Helps us make better decisions later on when new questions of doctrine arise

1. Prosperity gospel

2. Is there an eternal Hell?

3. God is all about love not justice and judgment

4. Homosexuality/Gender ideology

iii. Helps us grow as Christians