This document provides an overview of systematic theology. It defines systematic theology as the study of God and His relationship to the universe in a systematic way. While God is beyond full human comprehension, He has chosen to reveal truths about Himself through Scripture and other means. Systematic theology examines what can be rationally known about God and discusses key theological concepts and doctrines in an organized manner. It relies on biblical, historical, philosophical and other studies and seeks to understand both the original meaning of theological truths as well as their enduring, timeless principles.
1. SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ISYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY I
Text: Norman GeislerText: Norman Geisler
Systematic TheologySystematic Theology
Introduction and Chapter 1Introduction and Chapter 1
PowerPoint Prepared byPowerPoint Prepared by
Mark E. Hardgrove, M.Div., D.Min. Ph.DMark E. Hardgrove, M.Div., D.Min. Ph.D
2. The Purpose of this Course:The Purpose of this Course:
1.1. To get you to think like theologiansTo get you to think like theologians
2.2. To help you get a grasp on important theologicalTo help you get a grasp on important theological
issues confronting Christianity todayissues confronting Christianity today
3.3. To develop your writing skills to produce a soundTo develop your writing skills to produce a sound
theological research papertheological research paper
4. Augustine would say that it is “RationalAugustine would say that it is “Rational
discussion respecting deity.”discussion respecting deity.”
A. H. Strong would say that it is, “The scienceA. H. Strong would say that it is, “The science
of God, and of the relation between God andof God, and of the relation between God and
the universe.”the universe.”
Charles Ryrie would say that it is “ThinkingCharles Ryrie would say that it is “Thinking
about God and expressing those thoughts inabout God and expressing those thoughts in
some way.”some way.”
Millard Erickson would say that it is “TheMillard Erickson would say that it is “The
study of the science of God.”study of the science of God.”
5. The study of God in a systematic way.The study of God in a systematic way.
God is a whole, a complete, eternal,God is a whole, a complete, eternal,
immutable, perfect being . . .immutable, perfect being . . .
but humans cannot comprehend thebut humans cannot comprehend the
fullness of God’s being.fullness of God’s being.
6. If God is the totally “other” and if God is indeedIf God is the totally “other” and if God is indeed
transcendent, then can we really know God?transcendent, then can we really know God?
Job said, “I know my redeemer lives” (19:23).Job said, “I know my redeemer lives” (19:23).
James said “Even demons believe and tremble”James said “Even demons believe and tremble”
(2:19).(2:19).
The Apostle Peter said, “But grow in grace, and inThe Apostle Peter said, “But grow in grace, and in
the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2
Peter 3:-18).Peter 3:-18).
7. Gnosticism, an early challenge to Christianity,Gnosticism, an early challenge to Christianity,
believed that salvation was attained throughbelieved that salvation was attained through
secret “secret “gnosisgnosis” or knowledge that allowed” or knowledge that allowed
one to ascend levels toward reintegrationone to ascend levels toward reintegration
into theinto the pleroma—pleroma—the stuff of God.the stuff of God.
So what is the relationship betweenSo what is the relationship between
knowledge and faith?knowledge and faith?
8. Gnostics said knowledge is the key toGnostics said knowledge is the key to
salvation. But the demons know yet they aresalvation. But the demons know yet they are
not saved.not saved.
Knowledge does not save. Knowing alone isKnowledge does not save. Knowing alone is
not enough.not enough.
But without knowledge, the people perish:But without knowledge, the people perish:
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children. (Hos 4:6,NKJV)I also will forget your children. (Hos 4:6,NKJV)
9. WHAT CAN WE KNOW ABOUT GOD?WHAT CAN WE KNOW ABOUT GOD?
God is eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent,God is eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent,
and omniscient. He “fills all in all” (Eph.and omniscient. He “fills all in all” (Eph.
1:23), so on the one hand we deal with His1:23), so on the one hand we deal with His
unknowability, but on the other handunknowability, but on the other hand
there must be a corresponding claim forthere must be a corresponding claim for
knowledge on the part of those whoknowledge on the part of those who
acknowledge the Incarnation.acknowledge the Incarnation.
10. WHAT CAN WE KNOW ABOUT GOD?WHAT CAN WE KNOW ABOUT GOD?
We can only know what He has chosen toWe can only know what He has chosen to
reveal about Himself.reveal about Himself.
We talk about faith, but can we have faithWe talk about faith, but can we have faith
without knowledge?without knowledge?
11. Does faith expect a kind of certainty,Does faith expect a kind of certainty,
and assurance?and assurance?
Calvin commented that the knowledgeCalvin commented that the knowledge
of faith should be in assurance, ratherof faith should be in assurance, rather
than in comprehension. That is, ourthan in comprehension. That is, our
faith assures us of God, even when wefaith assures us of God, even when we
are unable to comprehend God.are unable to comprehend God.
12. The concept of “knowledge,” what we canThe concept of “knowledge,” what we can
know and how we know it, is known asknow and how we know it, is known as
epistemology.epistemology.
This is the philosophical study of what isThis is the philosophical study of what is
required in order to have rational beliefsrequired in order to have rational beliefs
and knowledge.and knowledge.
13. If we can only know God as He chooses toIf we can only know God as He chooses to
reveal Himself to us the question thenreveal Himself to us the question then
becomes, how does God reveal Himself?becomes, how does God reveal Himself?
14. Geisler says that this is a metaphysicalGeisler says that this is a metaphysical
question. God, as such, cannot bequestion. God, as such, cannot be
empirically proven through the physical.empirically proven through the physical.
Therefore, God is beyond physics, and isTherefore, God is beyond physics, and is
there isthere is metameta (beyond)(beyond) physical.physical. GodGod
creates the physical and God can take oncreates the physical and God can take on
physical form, but Jesus Himself said thatphysical form, but Jesus Himself said that
“God is a Spirit” (John 4:24).“God is a Spirit” (John 4:24).
15. The existence of aThe existence of a Theistic GodTheistic God, says Geisler, is the, says Geisler, is the
foundation of Christian theology. It is thefoundation of Christian theology. It is the metaphysicalmetaphysical
precondition for Evangelical theologyprecondition for Evangelical theology. It makes no sense. It makes no sense
to talk of the Bible being God’s Word if there is no God.to talk of the Bible being God’s Word if there is no God.
Likewise, it is meaningless to talk about Christ as theLikewise, it is meaningless to talk about Christ as the
Son of God unless there is a God who can have a son.Son of God unless there is a God who can have a son.
Likewise, miracles as special acts of God are not possibleLikewise, miracles as special acts of God are not possible
unless there is a God who can perform these special acts.unless there is a God who can perform these special acts.
Geisler concludes that “everything in evangelicalGeisler concludes that “everything in evangelical
theology is based on this metaphysical foundation oftheology is based on this metaphysical foundation of
theism.”theism.”
16. Anyone who asks:Anyone who asks:
1.1. Why am I here?Why am I here?
2.2. What is life?What is life?
3.3. What happens after death?What happens after death?
4.4. What is the difference between right andWhat is the difference between right and
wrong?wrong?
5.5. Why is there something instead ofWhy is there something instead of
nothing.nothing.
17. 1.1. Folk TheologyFolk Theology
2.2. Lay TheologyLay Theology
3.3. Ministerial TheologyMinisterial Theology
4.4. Professional TheologyProfessional Theology
5.5. Academic TheologyAcademic Theology
(c) The Theology Program: Stonebrier Community Church(c) The Theology Program: Stonebrier Community Church
22. Biblical TheologyBiblical Theology Systematic TheologySystematic Theology
Restricts its study toRestricts its study to ScriptureScripture
Examines theExamines the partsparts ofof
Scripture.Scripture.
Compiles information on aCompiles information on a
doctrine from adoctrine from a specific writerspecific writer
(e.g. Paul or John) or a(e.g. Paul or John) or a
particular eraparticular era (e.g.,(e.g.,
Abrahamic, Mosaic,Abrahamic, Mosaic,
prophetic).prophetic).
Seeks to understand theSeeks to understand the
processprocess as well as the result –as well as the result –
the product.the product.
Seeks truth fromSeeks truth from Scripture andScripture and
fromfrom any sourceany source outside theoutside the
Bible.Bible.
Examines theExamines the wholewhole ofof
Scripture.Scripture.
Compiles information on aCompiles information on a
doctrine by correlatingdoctrine by correlating all theall the
Scriptures.Scriptures.
Seeks to understand the resultSeeks to understand the result
—the—the productproduct
23. Historical Theology:Historical Theology: the study of theology as it hasthe study of theology as it has
been developed through the centuries of thebeen developed through the centuries of the
church’s history.church’s history.
Two approaches to historical theology are:Two approaches to historical theology are:
1.1. synchronic approachsynchronic approach
2.2. diachronic approachdiachronic approach
24. Philosophical Theology:Philosophical Theology: three contributions which
different theologians believe philosophy or
philosophy of religion may make to theology:
1)1) supply content for theology;supply content for theology;
2)2) defend theology, or establish its truth;defend theology, or establish its truth;
3)3) scrutinize its concepts and its arguments.scrutinize its concepts and its arguments.
25. The BibleThe Bible: Historical interpretation,: Historical interpretation,
Grammatical interpretation, LiteraryGrammatical interpretation, Literary
interpretation, Contextual interpretation,interpretation, Contextual interpretation,
rhetorical interpretation.rhetorical interpretation.
Exegetical StatementExegetical Statement: “What did it mean then?”: “What did it mean then?”
Extract from the original meaningExtract from the original meaning, “timeless, “timeless
truth principles”truth principles”
Theological StatementTheological Statement: “What timeless truth is: “What timeless truth is
being taught?”being taught?”
Homiletical StatementHomiletical Statement: “How does it apply to: “How does it apply to
us?”us?”
Preach it/Teach itPreach it/Teach it
