we need it!
Nearly 100 percent of the tactics Satan has ever thrown at the church were unleashed within the first five centuries following the ascension of Christ. Most of these attacks were doctrinally related and, one could argue, they really all were. His mission is to destroy (John 10:10), but Jesus came to destroy Satan's works (1 John 3:8). One way he does this is to raise up servants, often outnumbered by their opponents, to defeat those works by stressing and teaching doctrinal truth.
But we live in detached times, detached not because of mental sluggishness alone, but also because of hubris, pride and a spirit of independence. But humble ourselves we must, even to the point of deferring to some worthy servants of the past who gave of themselves amidst almost unbearable opposition, to provide us with sound biblical exposition and theological reflection. We need this today more than we know.
We can never for a single minute view the church as separate and detached from previous generations. To do so dishonors the lives of these servants of the past and, by way of extension, dishonors God. Today new inventions and technologies quickly replace outmoded things of the near past, things that just a few years ago reigned supreme. But we cannot approach theology, church practice, or anything of a spiritual nature in this manner. What has gone before will come again, and probably is already in our midst.
Here is a summary of the importance of historic theology by Gregg Allison, author of Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine (recommended):
- It helps to distinguish orthodoxy from heresy.
- It provides sound biblical interpretations and theological formulations.
- It presents stellar examples of faith, love, courage, hope, obedience, and mercy.
- It protects against the individualism that is rampant today among Christians.
- It not only helps the church understand the historical development of its beliefs, but enables it to express those beliefs in contemporary form.
- It encourages the church to focus on the essentials, that is, to major on those areas that have been emphasized repeatedly throughout the history of the church.
- It gives the church hope by providing assurance that Jesus is fulfilling his promise to his people.
- As beneficiaries of the heritage of doctrinal development sovereignly overseen by Jesus Christ, the church of today is privileged to enjoy a sense of belong to the church of the past.
Alister E. McGrath, in his own Historical Theology, adds the following on historical theology:
By studying the discussion of theological issues in the past, an understanding may be gained of both the strengths and weaknesses of existing approaches to questions.
When biblical doctrine forms, it does not do so in a vacuum. These doctrines and discussions have specific circumstances under which they arose and generated interest (e.g., justification by faith during the Reformation). To be sure, all biblical doctrines find their source in the Scriptures alone, but certain historic conditions and events often provide motivation for Christian scholars to dig deeper into the depths of holy Scripture in order to arrive at solutions.
So much of theology is application. When controversy, for example, arises because of an emphasis on signs and wonders, scholars then apply the doctrine of the Holy Spirit to the controversy in question. Historic theology assists us in this endeavor by providing similar scenarios from near and ancient history.
We commend to readers a serious study of historical theology.
updates
December, 2011:
Historical Theology (see column far right)
Some Kindle Steals: Outstanding "E" Books for Next to Nothing
I stumbled on the terrific books frrm the Kindle store (Amazon), all at rock bottom prices. Many of these older works are apparently in the public domain and therefore can be offered at very low prices. Here's a link to the Kindle theology browse page. Some of the titles I found include (not all theology books):
- Calvin's Institutes
- Charles Hodge's Systematic Theology
- James P. Boyce's Theology
- Eusebius' History of the Church
- Louis Berkhof's Sumary of Christian Doctrine
- R. L. Dabney's Systematic Theology
- Augustus Strong's Systematic Theology
Recommended Book for Systematic Theology: Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology
Bibletruth recommends Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology as a basic text on Theology, even for students just taking up a serious study of theology. Grudem holds to biblical inerrancy and sets forth the doctrines of the Bible with both depth and clarity. Even beginners will profit from this well-written volume because Grudem writes quite conversationally, unlike some other authors of theology books.
But even experienced readers of theology will benefit from Grudem's book as he does delve into the deeper subjects of theology, yet always provides readers with helpful introductions to such themes.
You can pick up your copy by clicking here.
Free Theology Lectures for Your iPod from Reformed Theological Seminary
Click here for some free stimulating lectures from some highly capable professors from a conservative viewpoint.
Welcome to Bibletruth!
Welcome to Bibletruth! You'll find resources on this site that will help you study God's Word and reflect on His truth. We provide doctrinal summaries, helpful links, and reflect on some key theological issues. To begin your journey, we suggest our theology page. Though our site is for serious students, we do not necessarily mean "experienced" students only. In fact, new believers grow best when they obtain a solid grounding in the truth of God's Word.
what is systematic theology
Here's a simple definition of systematic theology: "What does the Bible teach us about a given topic?" (from Robert Reymond, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, xxv). "Biblical theology" examines truth in its historic unfolding (for example, the "Old Testament doctrine of the Holy Spirit," or "Paul's doctrine of the church"). Systematic theology, on the other hand, takes the completed revelation, or the Bible, and applies it to various topics. Professor John Frame puts it this way, "Theology is the application of Scripture to all areas of human life" (Salvation Belongs to the Lord, 72).
In order to effectively study theology, one needs to:
- Submit to God, and be willing to discard old biases and accept truth as God reveals it in his Word.
- Pray for insight and illumination.
- Commit to a disciplined and systematic habit of serious study.
- Walk humbly with God, and allow His truth to shape all of life.
- Compare your work with others in the field (see the previous point).
blessings to students of theology
God promises rich reward to those who seek Him (John 7:17; Ps. 119:130), and those who do will find Him (Jer. 29:13). Furthermore, doctrinal correctness furnishes structure to life, something we can ill-afford to live without. With God-given truth and boundaries, the child of God no longer walks around in darkness, but instead has the "light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6). Additionally, students of theology can detect false teaching much more quickly than the typical Christian, who is often left to the mercy of unscrupulous "teachers" with mixed motives. Finally, theologically sensitive Christians notice the link between their growth in knowledge and Christ like character. They add knowledge to the other virtues of the sanctified life (2 Pet. 1:5-8).
blessings to the church
When lovers of God search His Word for truth then begin to apply that truth to church practice, everyone benefits. One problem today is church "practitioners" seek to build their ministries apart from biblical principles. I would caution students of theology to approach such ministries humbly and with a servant's heart. After all, they are doing God's will. Equally, however, church pastors and elders should welcome the concerns of theologians and not assume they don't need any help. Unfortunately, these two groups sometimes section off into two "camps," having no other dialogue other than near hostile exchanges. Internet forums will make no progress in influencing others if they adopt defensive and even offensive tones that do anything but encourage healthy exchanges.
Nevertheless, theology must govern all areas of church life and even life itself. Theologians call this the theocentric or "God-centered" life. It's the life we need to follow today. In a day of shifting winds and philosophies to match, we need to anchor our faith in that body of truth, "once for all delivered to the saints"(Jude 3).
For ages, pastors, teachers and students alike have blessed the church by carefully examining Scriptures and seeking God's help in applying them. When the Bible in all its fullness is brought to bear on church life, we all come out ahead.
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Beginning A Study of Theology
- Study carefully the Bible and a good reference Bible, such as the ESV Study Bible, and set aside special times to study it.
- Pick up a copy of Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology (click here) and begin working your way through it.
- Click here for our Introduction to Theology page.
- Keep developing a God-centered perspective on all of life, striving to accurately learn biblical truth, and then apply it to your life.
- Pray for Spirit-led insight, illumination, and guidance as you study theology.