Intro to theology

Challenges to ST

What is theology?

• Varieties of approaches: – Emphasis on experience:– Schleiermacher: (1768-1834): “Christian doctrines

are accounts of the Christian religious affections set forth in speech.

– John Macquarrie: theology as the study which, “through participation in and reflection upon a religious faith, seeks to express the content of this faith in the clearest and most coherent language available.”

What is theology?

• Theology as Science:• Charles Hodge (1797-1878): “The duty of the

Christian theologian is to ascertain, collect, and combine all the facts which God has revealed in the Bible.

• Groothuis: ST aims to “identify and articulate the revealed truths of Scripture in a logical, coherent and compelling manner.”

What is theology?

• Emphasis on the situation or social context:• Gustavo Guttierrez: “Theology as a critical reflection

on historical praxis is a liberating theology” • Rosemary Radford Ruether, “theology as critique of

and emancipation from sexism.”• WHICH APPROACH SHOULD WE TAKE?– Relativism?

• Self-defeating• In conflict with the basic Christian truth claim.

What is theology?

• Better Approach:– Presupposition: God has revealed himself in the

Scriptures. – Theology as “knowledge concerning God to the

extent that he has revealed himself.”– Two questions:• How does God present himself in Scripture?• What kind of knowledge is consistent with God’s self-

revelation?

How does God present himself in Scripture?

• God as Lord:– “Lord” is the name by which God identified

himself in the OT to Moses.– God performs his mighty works so that people

“will know that I am the Lord”– At critical points in redemptive history, God

announces “I am Lord” (Deut 32; Is 41:4; 43:10-13; Hos 12:9)

– “the NT Christian’s confession is that Jesus Christ is Lord (Rom. 10:9, 1 Cor. 12:3, Phil. 2:11)

God as Lord

Authority

Presence

Control

Knowledge under God’s Lordship

• Knowledge under God’s control• Knowledge under God’s authority • Knowledege of God that is personal• Implications: – No dichotomy btw: doctrine & personal

relationship with God– Theology is essential and necessary for our growth

as Christians– Knowledge must be pursued in an obedient way

Presuppositions of ST

Systematic

Historical

Philosophical

Biblical

Biblical theology

Varieties of definitions• Pietism• Gabler’s approach

Our focus: • inductive discipline that aims to show the

“progressive historical unfolding of God’s special revelation”

Biblical Theology

inductive• texts; authors

Redemptive history•progress

Example: kingship

Patriarchs: no king

Prophecy about Judah

JudgesNeed for a King

MonarchyDavidic King

Corrupt kings

Example: kingship

Prophets:Root of JesseServant of the

Lord

NT:Jesus – kingship

through suffering

Eschaton:consummation

Systematic theology

• Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, ‘what does the whole Bible teach us today?’ about any given topic?” (Grudem, ST, 21)

• Systematic theology is the comprehensive study and coherent organization about God and his relationship to the world based primarily on the Scriptures but using other secondary sources as well in a manner that addresses contemporary issues to the end that God’s people are strengthened in their faith for His praise and glory (Ware).

Key elements

System Whole bible Q’s

Unity of Biblical

teachings

Contemporary issues

Worldview formation

Other disciplines

Historical theology• how the church has understood various

doctrines across time.

Philosophical theology• theological topics with the tools of

philosophy

Norm: Scripture

• Sola scriptura: the Scriptures are the final and ultimate authority for the Christian Church.

• Sufficiency of Scripture: “scripture contains all the words of God we need for salvation, for trusting him perfectly and for obeying him perfectly” (Grudem)

Theological method

Exegesis Biblical Theo.

Systematic Theo.

Theological method

Theological method

Historical Theo.

Practical Theo. Apologetics

Philosophical Theo. Goal?