Why Systematic Theology Matters

Having been a Christian since the age of 13 (wow! 42 years ago!), graduated with a degree in Theology, served as pastor a number of times, etc, etc, etc.... I've never heard or read a synopsis of what Systematic Theology is (and why it's important) that is as clear and concise as this. If you can spare 6.5 minutes, have a look here, and you find yourself doing as I am: dusting off some of those EXCITING SysTheo books in your Logos library, and read them through.

Thanks Logos!

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Comments

TCBlack

Great video. This is why I'm using Grudem's sys Theo for my advanced discipleship sessions.

Ron

Hey, no theology discussions on the forums! [:p] Just kidding...good video [:)]

Carl Sanders

Thanks for the link. I'm using Grudem and Erickson's theologies along with Logos for a theology class this fall (first time in this configuration) and I've posted the video for my students to view. It's always nice to put skin on the ethereal author. I don't find Grudem's explanation of theology to be entirely satisfying, but there are a number of helpful features in his book that my students will benefit from.

George Somsel

There really is no systematic theology of the bible. There are many theologies in the bible. Theological views emerge out of the mileau of the Ancient Near East and develop over time. There are theologies of various authors: a theology of Matthew or a theology of Paul or a theology of the Apocalypse. Any single systematic theology which we construct has no claim to being called the theology of the bible.

Mike Pettit

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287591#Comment_287591

There really is no systematic theology of the bible. There are many theologies in the bible. Theological views emerge out of the mileau of the Ancient Near East and develop over time. There are theologies of various authors: a theology of Matthew or a theology of Paul or a theology of the Apocalypse. Any single systematic theology which we construct has no claim to being called the theology of the bible.

That depends on how you see the Bible as being a revelation from God

Greg B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287591#Comment_287591

There really is no systematic theology of the bible. There are many theologies in the bible. Theological views emerge out of the mileau of the Ancient Near East and develop over time. There are theologies of various authors: a theology of Matthew or a theology of Paul or a theology of the Apocalypse. Any single systematic theology which we construct has no claim to being called the theology of the bible.

There's always Biblical Theology

http://www.logos.com/product/9362/reformed-dogmatics

[;)]

But I imagine we have probably already stepped over the limitations of discussing theology

Greg

Robert M. Warren

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287592#Comment_287592

That depends on how you see the Bible as being a revelation from God

I agree and will add to that a caution not to create a false dichotomy between Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology. Properly understood, they arrive at the same conclusions. The dichotomy usually arises from those who are suspicious of theology and doctrines as being things that (necessarily) are added by men to the Word of God; a wrong view in my opinion.

Greg B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287615#Comment_287615

I agree and will add to that a caution not to create a false dichotomy between Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology. Properly understood, they arrive at the same conclusions. The dichotomy usually arises from those who are suspicious of theology and doctrines as being things that (necessarily) are added by men to the Word of God; a wrong view in my opinion.

You are quite right, but I couldn't find an emoticon for tongue in cheek. Your point is usually one of the first things that contemporary proponents, such as Graeme Goldsworthy, say in their prefaces. But it's a good reminder.

Greg

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287615#Comment_287615

That depends on how you see the Bible as being a revelation from God

I agree and will add to that a caution not to create a false dichotomy between Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology. Properly understood, they arrive at the same conclusions. The dichotomy usually arises from those who are suspicious of theology and doctrines as being things that (necessarily) are added by men to the Word of God; a wrong view in my opinion.

Systematic Theology pretends to set forth biblical teaching in an organized fashion. The problem is that there is no one biblical teaching on all subjects. There are a number of biblical theologies and a progression in its development. Karl Barth was most likely correct in referring to his magnum opus as Church Dogmatics since it is a presentation of the teaching of the Church.

Bill Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287613#Comment_287613

There's always Biblical Theology

http://www.logos.com/product/9362/reformed-dogmatics

But I imagine we have probably already stepped over the limitations of discussing theology

Greg

Biblical theology, as the term was used by Geerhardus Vos, whose Reformed Dogmatics you linked to, means the history or development of God's redemption beginning at the earliest point of biblical revelation (Gen. 1) moving forward to its fulfillment in Christ and on to ultimate fulfillment at the end of the age (Rev. 22). It's quite different from the notion of systematic theology.

Greg B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287623#Comment_287623

I agree and will add to that a caution not to create a false
dichotomy between Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology. Properly
understood, they arrive at the same conclusions. The dichotomy usually
arises from those who are suspicious of theology and doctrines as being things that (necessarily) are added by men to the Word of God; a wrong view in my opinion.

Biblical theology, as the term was used by Geerhardus Vos, whose Reformed Dogmatics you linked to, means the history or development of God's redemption beginning at the earliest point of biblical revelation (Gen. 1) moving forward to its fulfillment in Christ and on to ultimate fulfillment at the end of the age (Rev. 22). It's quite different from the notion of systematic theology.

Wait. Did I just get correct for both equating them and setting them in opposition?[^o)]

Robert M. Warren

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287641#Comment_287641

Wait. Did I just get correct for both equating them and setting them in opposition?

Greg: I probably wasn't very clear; I was agreeing with you, with amplification. [I]

Brother Mark

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287571#Comment_287571

I'm using Grudem and Erickson's theologies along with Logos for a theology class this fall (first time in this configuration) and I've posted the video for my students to view

Carl, I'd like to suggest that you invite George to guest lecture in your class, and televise the highlights for the rest of us... or maybe sell the DVDs through Logos [:#]

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287641#Comment_287641

I agree and will add to that a caution not to create a false dichotomy between Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology. Properly understood, they arrive at the same conclusions. The dichotomy usually arises from those who are suspicious of theology and doctrines as being things that (necessarily) are added by men to the Word of God; a wrong view in my opinion.

The best book I've ever read that seeks to overturn that mistaken notion is Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the Study of God by Stanley J. Grenz and Roger E. Olson (IVP Academic, 1996). It would be a fine resource for Logos to add. I will suggest it.

NB.Mick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287655#Comment_287655

Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the Study of God by Stanley J. Grenz and Roger E. Olson (IVP Academic, 1996). It would be a fine resource for Logos to add.

[Y] [Y] [Y]

Robert Pavich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287621#Comment_287621

Systematic Theology pretends to set forth biblical teaching in an organized fashion. The problem is that there is no one biblical teaching on all subjects. There are a number of biblical theologies and a progression in its development. Karl Barth was most likely correct in referring to his magnum opus as Church Dogmatics since it is a presentation of the teaching of the Church.

We all come to the word with our presuppositions....you have yours I have mine.

I believe that the bible is consistent, and coherent and does not present "many theologies" but as I said...we all have our presuppositions to view the word through...

And as someone pointed out...this is veering into the theology discussion area....

Eric Weiss

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287537#Comment_287537

Great video. This is why I'm using Grudem's sys Theo for my advanced discipleship sessions.

The same Wayne Grudem who claims on pp. 251-252 of his Systematic Theology that the eternal subordination of the Son "has clearly been part of the church's doctrine of the Trinity (in Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox expressions), at least since Nicea (A.D. 325)" ... but instead of quoting from primary sources to support this claim, he instead quotes from Charles Hodge and A. H. Strong?

Filioque controversy, anyone? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filioque

TCBlack

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287727#Comment_287727

Careful Eric. I'd love to go there - but if I did I'd be out of bounds for this forum. (<edit>: this is not to say that Eric's post was out of order - but I know where I would go if I commented.</edit>

So moving on.....

Everybody list your favorite Sys Theo here...

I'm not about to say favorite yet, but I'm reading Culver's and enjoying it.

Systematic Theology: Biblical and Historical - Robert Culver

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287727#Comment_287727

Kind of doubt George is too far off the mark.

Else Logos would not stay in business very long selling resources that argue about what really is a fairly limited text.

Something so obvious (a single theology), should be obvious. Of course, that was the question the good Apostle Paul struggled with.

Eric Weiss

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287732#Comment_287732

Careful Eric. I'd love to go there - but if I did I'd be out of bounds for this forum. (<edit>: this is not to say that Eric's post was out of order - but I know where I would go if I commented.</edit>

So moving on.....

Everybody list your favorite Sys Theo here...

I'm not about to say favorite yet, but I'm reading Culver's and enjoying it.

Systematic Theology: Biblical and Historical - Robert Culver

[H]

Randall Cue

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287732#Comment_287732

Careful Eric. I'd love to go there - but if I did I'd be out of bounds for this forum. (<edit>: this is not to say that Eric's post was out of order - but I know where I would go if I commented.</edit>

So moving on.....

Everybody list your favorite Sys Theo here...

I'm not about to say favorite yet, but I'm reading Culver's and enjoying it.

Systematic Theology: Biblical and Historical - Robert Culver

Dr. Culver is my brother-in-law's father so I know a "little" about him.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Randy

Harbey Santiago

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287734#Comment_287734

Sorry folks but I cringe every time I hear theology defined as "The study of God"

Perhaps a bit of "linguistic math" might be usefull.

St Anselm defined "theology" as "faith seeking understanding".

Replacing terms on "Systematic Theology" and "Biblical Theology" we get:

"Systematic faith seeking understanding" and " Biblical faith seeking understanding"

Now we re-arrange the terms and we get "Faith seeking understanding systematically" and "Faith seeking understanding biblically"

What we are left is with two distinctive disciplines that aim at the same thing, like two GPS's in opposite sides of a city, they both take us through different roads but make us arrive at the same destination. An deeper understanding of God, one through reason and another one through His own revelation.

"Viva Cristo Rey!!"

Deacon Harbey Santiago

Archdiocese of Baltimore

BillS

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287746#Comment_287746

"Faith seeking understanding systematically" and "Faith seeking understanding biblically"

What we are left is with two distinctive disciplines that aim at the same thing, like two GPS's in opposite sides of a city, they both take us through different roads but make us arrive at the same destination. An deeper understanding of God, one through reason and another one through His own revelation.

Well spoken, Harbey!

BillS

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287591#Comment_287591

There really is no systematic theology of the bible. There are many theologies in the bible.

One of my profs in seminary said something I thought really profound along those lines. Loving systematic theology (ThM, ThD), he'd pursued his doctoral studies under Torrance (Edinburgh?). As he continued his studies, he likened systematics to going into a forest, searching for a tree--just the right shape & size... bringing it out, shaping it ever so slightly for the building's design that he was constructing. What he said he finally discovered was that it was much more satisfying to just dwell in the forest.

Blessings!

BillS

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287591#Comment_287591

There really is no systematic theology of the bible. There are many theologies in the bible.

One of my profs in seminary said something I thought really profound along those lines. Loving systematic theology (ThM, ThD), he'd pursued his doctoral studies under Torrance (Edinburgh?). As he continued his studies, he likened systematics to going into a forest, searching for a tree--just the right shape & size... bringing it out, shaping it ever so slightly for the best fit the plan of the buildinghe was constructing. What he said he finally discovered was that it was much more satisfying to just dwell in the forest.

Blessings!

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287732#Comment_287732

Everybody list your favorite Sys Theo here...

I'm waiting for Packer's. It's supposedly his magnum opus that he's working on. Hope he finishes it before his life here on earth is done. I just saw him walking by in the Atrium at Regent College today, though, so I know he's alive and well and still kicking at 85. And he's still teaching! [:)]

Greg B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287643#Comment_287643

Wait. Did I just get correct for both equating them and setting them in opposition?

Greg: I probably wasn't very clear; I was agreeing with you, with amplification.

You were clear. I was just trying to have fun with what appeared to me an irony. On the serious side both points are quite right. The two work like instruments in a good jazz piece, diverging and converging while following a single pattern that lies beneath them

Carl Sanders

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287645#Comment_287645

Sounds interesting. My students always like surprises!

Brother Mark

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/288146#Comment_288146

Sounds interesting. My students always like surprises!

Surprise! Students, today we're having a pop quiz consisting of one essay question: Define the Hypostatic Union as it relates to Jesus & God Head AND Jesus & humanity. In one sentence. Using only participles. Begin! (Carl, is that the kind of surprise you meant?... because thats the kind of surprise I remember, and I most decidedly did not like those kinds of surprises)

Pedro

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/287732#Comment_287732

Everybody list your favorite Sys Theo here...

http://www.logos.com/product/147/institutes-of-the-christian-religion

Tom

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/288164#Comment_288164

Everybody list your favorite Sys Theo here...

http://www.logos.com/product/147/institutes-of-the-christian-religion

We need it as a prepub in spanish, [:D] better in comunity pricing [Y] but logos does not seem able to run one for the spanish titles so far.[:'(]

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