Review: The Reformation Study Bible

Have you seen the English Standard Version of the Bible? Quite an impressive work. We could recommend these Bibles outright for a couple of reasons. First, the underlying text is the English Standard Version, a translation that has gained impressive momentum as a leading literal translation of the Bible. Secondly, R. C. Sproul serves as the General Editor (need I say more?).

Sproul, along with an impressive list of contributors, provides readers with excellent notes, book introductions, and theological essays on important matters. At the bottom of each page readers will find helpful interpretive notes and explanations of key terms. The essays are scattered throughout the Bible and remain true to the historic Reformed faith. But those from non-Reformed backgrounds can expect to profit from these notes and essays and the writers at no point adopt a dogmatic tone. This study Bible should challenge you to grow in your faith and probe deeper into the Word of God. Bibletruth recommends the Reformation Bible without hesitation or reservation. You can safely read, teach, and even preach from this translation. Published by Ligonier Ministries. For more, click here.

Cornelius Van Til on the Value of Systematic Theology

"The question of truth and of duty is primary. It is a God-given duty that we should take the content of Scripture and bring it together into a systematic whole. It is plain that we are required to know the revelation that God has given us."

"If we do not pay attention to the whole of biblical truth as a system, we become doctrinally one-sided, and doctrinal one-sidedness is bound to issue in spiritual one-sidedness."

"A study of systematic theology will help us to keep and develop our spiritual balance. It enables us to avoid paying attention only to that which, by virtue of our temperament, appeals to us." (All from An Introduction to Systematic Theology, chapter 1.)

Updates

We've recently updated our cults page with a section on the Christian Science religion. Though not as popular as it once was, Christian Science does contain the underpinnings of some major movements of our day, even some who wave the Christian banner, such as "positive confession." You may read the update by following this link.

If you appreciate this site, please send a link to Bibletruth to your friends. Contact me if you have any suggestions for topics or just want to comment.

About Bibletruth

My name is Sam Petitfils, and I serve as webmaster of Bibletruth. At Bibletruth we value and explore the great themes of Scripture. We believe Scripture is central to a correct understanding of our world and our role as believers. We have chosen to emphasize theology as a key and valid discipline for our day.

We hope you will browse the site and look over some of the resources and links.

I have graduate degrees from Talbot and Westminster (in California) seminaries and have pastored in California for many years. Please contact me if you have questions or comments.

A Website Dedicated to Systematic Theology

Welcome to Bibletruth! You'll find resources on this site that will help you as 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.

We have added a new section on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. We hope you enjoy it. While recognizing the vast differences held by many Christian groups, we nevertheless advance what we believe to be the biblical teaching on the Holy Spirit. Click here to go to the page.

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.