I have five convictions (Wayne Grudem, "An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine") about what systematic theology is and how it should be taught:
(1) A Clear Biblical Basis for Doctrines. Theology should flow out of the teachings of the Scripture, so in each of the doctrines that we will look at I will show where the Bible gives support for the doctrine under consideration.
(2) Clarity in the Explanation of Doctrines. The study of theology should NOT result in confusion and frustration. Therefore, my aim is to be clear and understandable, so that you will be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also refute those who contradict it.
(3) Application of Life. The study of theology should NOT be dry and boring. The study of theology is the study of God and all his works! Theology is meant to be lived and prayed and sung! Theology when studies rightly leads to growth in the Christian life and worship.
(4) Hope for Progress in Doctrinal Unity in the Church. The study of theology should give hope for us to attain deeper and purer doctrinal understanding .
(5) A Sense of the Urgent Need for Greater Doctrinal Understanding in the Whole Church. I am convinced that there is an urgent need in the church today for much greater understanding of Christian doctrine, or systematic theology. It is not that Christians lack the ability to understand doctrine.
Definition of Systematic Theology (This definition is taken from Professor John Frame)
Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic.
Initial Assumptions In this Study
Two:
(1) The Bible is true and that it is, in fact, our only absolute standard of truth;
(2) That the God who is spoken of in the Bible exists, and that he is who the Bible says he is: the Creator of heaven and earth and all things in them.
Why Should Christians Study Theology?
(1) The Basic Reason—it will help you carry out the great commission. One of the tasks in the Great Commission is to evangelize, but the most important task of the great commission is teaching (we say everyone should be an evangelist, but why not a teacher; I believe one of the reasons why many do not evangelize is because they don’t know and therefore can’t teach). For example, if someone asks, “What does the Bible teach about Christ’s return?” I could say, “Just keep reading the Bible and you’ll find out.” If they start in Gen. 1:1 it will be a long time before he or she finds the answer.
(2) It Benefits Our Lives. It helps us overcome our wrong ideas. There are some things that most Christians would rather not learn about the Bible. Studying the Bible systematically helps you overcome that tendency. It helps us make better decisions later. New questions or new controversies that arise in the church will be better tackled by students of theology. What does the Bible say about husband-wife relationships? What does the Bible say about raising children? About witnessing to a friend? Certain theological principles will come to bare on all areas of life. It will help us grow as Christians. The more you know about God the greater you are to serve Him and worship Him.
How Should We Study Systematic Theology?
(1) We Should Study With Prayer (Psalm 119:18). If we as students of God’s Word do not pray for understanding we study in vain because we need spiritual eyes to see and spiritual hearts to feel the weight of each thought and each principle and each doctrine as it brings to bear on my life.
(2) We Should Study With Humility. Adopting an attitude of pride or superiority through the study of Scripture is never Christlike or biblical (1 Peter 5:5; James 1:19-20).
(3) We Should Study With Reason. It is never wrong to use human understanding, human logic, and human reason to draw conclusions from statements of Scripture.
(4) We Should Study With Rejoicing and Praise. You are about to embark a journey about the living God, and of the wonders of all his works in creation and redemption. This is no mere theoretical exercise of the intellect. We cannot study this subject dispassionately! We must love all that God is, all that he says and all that he does.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.
In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.
Psalm 139:17 “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!”
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