What is Systematic Theology?
What is Systematic Theology? Why should Christians study it? How should we study it? I answer these questions and more!
What is Systematic Theology?
Introduction
Today I’ll be covering the importance of studying Systematic Theology.
Studying theology is like exploring the ocean. Without studying theology, we may be like a sailor who navigates the ocean without a map or compass, and risks getting lost or stranded. However, just as a sailor who understands the ocean currents, tides, and weather patterns is better equipped to navigate and succeed, those who study theology can gain a deeper understanding of God, his ways, and his world and can navigate the complexities of the Christian faith and belief with greater clarity and purpose.
Systematic theology is not to be confused with Christian ethics even though there’s bound to be some overlap between the two (for example, marriage). Theology tells us what we should believe, while ethics tells us how we should live.
What is Theology?
The term theology (theologia) is derived from two Greek terms: theos (“God”) and logos (“reason, word, or study”). In other words, theology, in simple terms, is the study of God.
What is Systematic Theology?
Definition: Systematic theology is the comprehensive and organized study of the Christian faith, which draws from various disciplines to develop a unified understanding of God, his ways, and his world as revealed in the Bible. Its goal is to answer the question, "What does the whole Bible teach us about any given topic?"
Biblical Concepts (Categories in Systematic Theology)
Doctrine of God; theology proper
Doctrine of humanity; anthropology
Doctrine of sin; hamartiology
Doctrine of Christ; Christology
Doctrine of salvation; soteriology
Doctrine of the Holy Spirit; pneumatology
Doctrine of the church; ecclesiology
Doctrine of last things; eschatology
Why should Christians study it?
Some think theology is only important for scholars, pastors, or theologians to study when in fact it’s important for all believers. How are we to know what we believe, why we believe it, or how to defend it if we don’t study it?
As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Studying scripture helps us to be equipped for every good work God intends for us.
And our study in Systematic Theology should be grounded in the Bible, as the continual reflection on God's word should shape and correct one's theological system. Believers should think Biblically, exploring the biblical narrative and testing theological claims against the Scripture.
Also, as Professors Bruce Riley Ashford and Keith Whitfield note, “The primary role of theology is to cultivate in us a love for and knowledge of God.”
How should we study it?
With Prayer: We should pray and seek God’s help in understanding his word. Paul says in 1 Cor. 2:14 “the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” Studying theology is a spiritual activity in which we need the help of the Holy Spirit since it is He who gives us the ability to rightly understand scripture.
With Humility: Peter tells us to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). We aren’t to use our knowledge of God’s word to simply win arguments, to put down fellow Christians, or to make another believer feel insignificant in the Lord’s work. And one’s understanding of Scripture is to be imparted in humility and love: (James 3:13, 17-18). Systematic theology rightly studied won’t lead to being “puffed up” (1 Cor. 8:1) but to humility and love for others.
With Reason: We need to first reason from and with a commitment to Scripture. Jesus and the NT Authors often quote scripture and then draw logical conclusions from it. God gave us understanding, logic, and reason to draw conclusions from scripture. But we need to remember that when we reason and draw what we think to be correct logical deductions from Scripture, we can sometimes make mistakes. Our deductions are not equal to the statements of Scripture in certainty or authority because scripture is our standard of truth.
With Help From Others: We should be thankful that God has given us teachers in the church (God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers…” [1 Cor. 12:28] and we should allow those with gifts of teaching to help us understand scripture. (Using resources: books, videos, talking with other Christians)
By Collecting and Understanding all the relevant passages of scripture on any topic:
With Rejoicing and Praise: This isn’t nearly an exercise of intellect but of the study of God, his ways, and his world. We must love all that God is, all that he says, and all that he does.
“Major” and “Minor” Doctrines?
So, in the medical community, they make judgments about the severity of a person’s injury to determine the order of patient treatment. Like a person that has multiple gunshot wounds should be seen before the person with a sprained ankle. Similarly, some doctrinal questions are more significant than others. If we apply a similar idea to theology we can call it a Theological triage: basically the idea that the Christian community should prioritize doctrinal questions which is usually put into three tiers of doctrinal importance.
First order doctrines: are essential to the gospel and must be believed to identify as a Christian (humanity and deity of Christ, salvation through faith in Christ).
Second order doctrines: are essential to ordering church life but are not essential to the gospel (Gender roles in church). Those who differ on these matters can still refer to one another as Christians and even cooperate in ministry efforts, but their different answers to these questions make it difficult to serve together in the same local church or denomination.
Third order doctrine: are not essential to either the message of the gospel or the ordering of the church. These questions are open for peaceable discussion (Christian liberties: alcohol, dress, speech). Differences on these matters should neither separate believers nor result in disunity in a congregation or ministry.
Examples In Doctrinal Questions:
Is Scripture God’s word?
Should apocryphal books be considered scripture?
Who wrote the book of Hebrews?
An important reminder: 'In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.'
The Goal
As I mentioned, I want us to grow in our understanding of God, his ways, and his world as revealed in the Bible. I’m also growing in my understanding as I study God’s word. And ultimately my desire isn’t to please man but to please and honor God in the process.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Hope this was helpful to you and your understanding of Systematic Theology and the importance of studying it!