Why Study a Systematic Theology?
With so much else that we could spend our time doing, why study a (another?) systematic theology? This is a fundamental question that we need to ask, given all our commitments and the brevity of our lives.
Any answers?
"...redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5)
Any answers?
"...redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5)
posted by Timothy Davis | 7:49 PM
14 Comments:
Thanks for your comments, Phil. I've got to pick up the boys from our holiday Bible club.
The thought of God is communicated to mankind through propositional truth. As we seek to understand God and His Word, we categorize the truth of the Scriptures so as to better understand God's intentions throughout all the Scriptures. Therefore, it is a noble task to study Systematic Theology and when one as dedicated to theology and experienced in the teaching of it as Dr. Culver, it is important to study his work as we develop our own.
Allen
Good point on redeeming the time, Tim. I think it's a question we all need to answer according to our individual circumstances & how much we've already read, etc. Some may benefit more than others. I personally look forward to getting deeper into theology than I have for a long time.
I was wondering whether there were too many ST's myself. But now, thinking about it more, it may not be a bad thing. Most could probably just be used as reference tools, and people only need buy the ones that they find most profitable.
Good, Bible-saturated systematic theologies can be invaluable in thinking through different positions.
Most of all - "examine the Scriptures to see whether these things are so"!!
I know... addressing the heart is so key. You can have all the theological knowledge in the world, but if you are proud because of it, and/or if it is not really changing the way you live your life or making you a more godly, God-honoring person, then it lacks a crucial element. There must be a balance between intellectual knowledge, heart knowledge, and practical knowledge (the head, the heart, and the feet!). All subject to Christ!
David,
I would not see theology as a science primarily. I believe that historical verification and internal coherence, etc., are in the realm of apologetics (and may be used for a Christian's own benefit). I think of systematic theologies as ordering and expounding upon what the Bible teaches; i.e., the authority of the Bible is assumed from the outset.
David,
What happened to your "About Me" on your profile? Do you want to enlarge your bio post?
"If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." (John 8:32)
"Sanctify them through your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:17)
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16,17)
God has given us His truth to sanctify us and set us free. The whole of Scripture has been given to us that we may be complete men and women of God.
This Word contains many types of truth: doctrine, apologetics, ethics, guidance on devotions, practical Christian living, etc.
God wants us all his people to be thoroughly grounded in this truth. It is essential that we have a foundational knowledge of all these things that we may be complete.
Wisdom teaches us that this is best done in an orderly, systematic fashion. (Ethics should be taught systematically as well as doctrine.)
One of the branches of God's truth is doctrine: those truths that we should believe. Therefore we should learn doctrine systematically!
All men are fallible and we can never be grounded enough in doctrinal truth (however we must be careful that the other branches of truth are covered, and we are fulfilling our duties in other areas), so it is valuble from time-to-time to read other systematic theologies, even if we have read one before.
I've posed the question, inspired by Timothy's comments here, on my blog, Dogmatic Questions, as to why God didn't give us a systematic theology.
Daavid,
Thanks for your answer! It helps me understand your position better. I still would have to disagree on some points, however. I see theology as ordered doctrine. For instance, we examine one part of Scriptures by another which might expand upon it or explain it more clearly, rather than examining the Scriptures by a series of outside tests.
Looking at the wider issue of faith and reason for just a moment... I did not come to believe because I examined doctrine by various criteria and found it satisfactory on those grounds; although I believe God's Word is the only system of belief which adequately explains and comports with reality, and therefore would stand up to (and does stand up to) the most rigorous "testing." I believe because the Spirit has changed my heart and enabled me to believe; part of this work of the Spirit is enabling me to see clearly the way God's Word does comport with reality.
But this is getting into a whole bigger area! Have you read Bahnsen on the subject of apologetics? I would agree with a lot of what he says (Van Til is similar, but he doesn't always state things in the clearest way, so I just stick to Bahnsen in this area...)
I'm already appreciating being on this blog! Thanks for the stimulating discussion; I'd better end for now and go off to homeschool and cleaning...!
Phil,
A fairly good overview by Carson!
One thing people: let's not confuse the word 'theology' with the phrase 'systematic theology'.
And I thought that I was here just to discuss Culver!
For what it's worth, here are my thoughts:
(1) `Science' used to mean `systematic body of knowledge'. In this sense (systematic) theology is a science.
(2) `Science' now is short for `natural science'. In this sense theology isn't a science, for it isn't concerned primarily with nature.
(3) Epistemology is the theory of knowledge, and is thus relevant to all knowledge claims, be they religious-knowledge claims or scientific-knowledge claims.
(4) Metaphysics is the study of ultimate reality and certain concepts fundamental to it, such as time, substance, attribute, causation etc. It is thus relevant not only to natural science but to theology too.
Hope that helps!
Good summation, Daniel!
David, I'm a bit confused - are you saying systematic theology should be based on natural revelation as well as special revelation?
Let's continue the discussion under the "Is Theology a Science?" entry!
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