Foundation Truth ~ Prolegomena ~ Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org
Prolegomena: preliminary discussion
What is Systematic Theology?
Why do Systematic Theology?
How do we do Systematic Theology?
Prolegomena: preliminary discussion
1. What is Systematic Theology?
Theo Logos –
Systematic –
Main topics or divisions of Theology: Bible, God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit, Angels, Man, Sin, Salvation, The Church, Last Things
2. Why do Systematic Theology?
there is order not chaos in the created universe and there should be order in our thinking about God and spiritual things.
-The New Testament indicates a body of teaching (the doctrine or the teaching) to be distinguished from false doctrine (or teaching)
Romans 16:17 'the doctrine that you have been taught'
Ephesians 4:11-14
I Corinthians 14:20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
Acts 20:26-27 'the whole counsel of God'
I Timothy 1:3-11
I Timothy 4:16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
II Timothy 1:13-4:5
-Sound Doctrine leads to Personal Holiness (Knowledge of God will keep us from evil)
Proverbs 2
-Sound Doctrine is Doxological (We are commanded to engage our understanding in the love of God – results in worship)
Mark 12:28-34
3. How do we do Systematic Theology?
The Bible is the datum of Systematic Theology
We must look at everything the bible has to say on a given subject
We must interpret each text carefully and accurately
We must do Systematic Theology prayerfully
Good Systematic Theology will result in joyful worship (doxology)
4. Obstacles to Systematic Theology
Sin nature
Pride
Presuppositions
Sloth
Disinterest