how "structure" systematic theology course

Why you should study Systematic Theology?

• Mary sat at the Lord’s feet (Lk. 10:39)
• Mary listened to what Jesus said (Lk. 10:39)
• Mary chose the “one necessary thing” (Lk. 10: 42)
• Mary received the “best part” that cannot be taken away (Lk. 10:42)

Why should we study Systematic Theology?

Systematic theology seeks to make the comprehensive unity seen and savored. Reason 3: Realism about the human intellect demands it. One way or another, we will come to conclusions about the most important religious questions. Who was Jesus? What is the human predicament? Is there a hell? How can we be saved? How should we treat each other?

Why do we need systematic theology?

Here are three reasons to make systematic theology a part of your Bible study:

1. To get an overview of the Bible. By overview, I don’t mean a survey of what’s in each book, or of the timeline of salvation history. ...
2. Because you’re probably already doing systematic theology anyway. Maybe you’ve never had a single thought about how the various things we read in Scripture go together. ...
3. To be able to teach.

Which are systematic theology do you use?

Systematic theology, as we have defined, makes use of the entire Bible to discover doctrines about biblical topics (The doctrines of the word of God, God, man, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the church, and each of the subsets within each topic). It looks at all passages that pertain to any given topic, whether in the Old Testament or in the New ...

What are the subjects in systematic theology?

Systematic theology includes the subdisciplines of Christology, Soteriology, Trinitarian Theology, Pneumatology, Mariology, Ecclesiology, Sacramental Theology, Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue, Theological Anthropology, Protology, Grace, Theological Virtues, and Eschatology.

What does systematic theology study?

Systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the doctrines of the Christian faith. It addresses issues such as what the Bible teaches about certain topics or what is true about God and His universe.

What are the 4 types of theology?

What are the Four Types of Theology? Answers from a Theology SchoolBiblical Theology. ... Historical Theology. ... Systematic Theology. ... Practical Theology.

What are the 4 key sources for doing theology?

This method bases its teaching on four sources as the basis of theological and doctrinal development. These four sources are chiefly scripture, along with tradition, reason, and Christian experience.

Is systematic theology a science?

Systematic theology encompasses the theological sciences that study the content and structure of Christian and other doctrines and notions.

What are the 10 doctrines?

The ten doctrines explained are: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Man, Salvation, The Church, Scriptures, Angels, Satan, and The Last Things. I highly recommend this book to all Bible students and Christians looking to increase their knowledge of basic Biblical doctrine.

Who is the father of systematic theology?

The term “systematic theology” originated in the 16th century with the work of German theologian Bartholomäus Keckermann (1572–1609); however, the idea goes back to the very beginning of Christianity.

How can I study theology on my own?

Here are 3 ways studying theology can help you in your faith:Expand Your Knowledge of Apologetics. A great way to study theology when you are struggling with your faith is by studying a branch of theology called apologetics. ... Use a Theologian's Commentary while Reading Scripture. ... Guided Prayer.

What is the difference between systematic theology and biblical theology?

Biblical theology synthesizes the teachings of the Scriptures, and Systematic theology formulates these teachings for today. Biblical theology seeks to apply the Bible through the history of redemption, and systematic theology seeks to use the Bible as a whole for today.

What is the difference between systematic theology and practical theology?

Abstract. Systematic theology is often the negative foil against which practical theology defines itself as a discipline. Practical theologians worry that systematic theology is committed to a detached objectivism and finality, and that it denies or resists the influence of context on Christian thought.

How do you write a theology paper?

From Thesis to Paper: Tips for Clear Theological WritingMake sure that the introduction introduces the topic and not yourself. ... The thesis should be clear and well-articulated. ... The structure of your paper should flow from your thesis.Use headings. ... Have good topic sentences. ... Stay on topic. ... Prove everything that you say.More items...•

What is homiletics in theology?

Homiletics comprises the study of the composition and delivery of religious discourses. It includes all forms of preaching: sermons, homilies and catechetical instruction. It may be further defined as the study of the analysis, classification, preparation, composition and delivery of sermons.

Abstract

This work proposes a new reading of Christian theology. Examining theological warrants, philosophical debates over the structures of arguments, and the role of beauty in intellectual structures, it suggests theology is inherently systematic, its systematicity reflecting its two subjects, ‘God and other things as they are related to God’ (Aquinas).

Authors

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What is the biblical theology?

Biblical Theology as an independent discipline developed out of the practice, especially within Lutheran Orthodoxy, of compiling collections of proof-texts (dicta probantia or dicta classica) in order to demonstrate the biblical basis of Protestant doctrine. These collections, sometimes referred to as 'Collegia Biblica' (collegium meaning 'collection') were widely used for teaching purposes, and the biblical passages were usually accompanied by exegetical comments.

What is typology in theology?

A typology is here proposed which makes a distinction between 'systematic', 'historical' and 'thematic' approaches. Admittedly the classification is a somewhat rough and ready one; particular theologies do not always fall clearly into one or other of the categories, and there certainly are hybrid types. Examples will be given of the main types but no attempt is made to provide an exhaustive list.

What is the strength of historical approach?

The strength of the historical approach is that it does justice to the diversity of Scripture and demonstrates the development of biblical thought. It does not lend itself so well to the treatment of Psalms or the Wisdom literature which were written and edited over a period of time. A purely historical scheme also renders more difficult the interface with dogmatic theology.

What is the historical-critical approach to the Bible?

The only order it contains, it was argued, is the historical and chronological order in which God's people (Israel and the Early Church) received the divine revelation and committed it to writing in the various books. It is this order therefore which should be followed by the biblical theologian in the presentation of the material.

What is thematic approach to biblical theology?

A thematic approach to Biblical Theology seeks to structure its treatment around themes or topics which arise from the biblical material itself rather than being imposed upon it on the basis of a predetermined dogmatic system. Thus J.L. McKenzie for example contends that Old Testament Theology should be based on 'those themes which occur most frequently and which appear to be decisive in giving Old Testament belief its distinctive identity'. It is readily conceded that in some cases there may be no hard and fast line separating the systematic and thematic approaches. What they have in common is the search for some form of synchronic rather than diachronic structure.

Is the New Testament a centre?

There has also been discussion of a 'centre' of the New Testament, often in conjunction with the question of the unity of the New Testament. Many have found the centre in the Christ event or in Christology, or else, in the tradition of Luther, in the concept of 'justification'. P. Stuhlmacher has maintained that 'the gospel of reconciliation, must be the centre of a Biblical Theology of the New Testament. Others have been much more sceptical about finding any centre in the diverse 'theologies' of the New Testament.

Is there a single theme in the Old Testament?

It is difficult to understand the obsession with finding one single theme or 'centre' for Old Testament or New Testament Theology and still less for an entire Biblical Theology. It is widely held today that the quest for a single centre has failed. An approach which recognizes several themes would appear to be more productive and this seems to be the trend in a number of more recent Old Testament Theologies including those of J.L. McKenzie, W. Zimmerli, W.A. Dyrness and C. Westermann.

I. The History of Biblical Theology

• 1. The systematic approach.
  The oldest approach is the 'systematic' one by which is meant the structuring of Biblical Theology in accordance with the subject divisions of dogmatic theology. Biblical Theology as an independent discipline developed out of the practice, especially within Lutheran Orthodoxy, of co…
• 2. The historical approach
  The advance of the historical-critical approach to the Bible in the late 18th and early 19th centuries led not only to the splitting of Biblical Theology into Old Testament and New Testament Theology but to the widespread adoption of a quite different method of ordering the material. Th…

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II. Toward A New Structure For Biblical Theology

III. The Skeleton of A Biblical Theology

Endnotes