9/17/16

1

Whystudyingtheologyisimportant…

Whystudyingtheologyisimportant…

!  ItisthemeanstoaCOMPREHENSIVEframeworkandunderstandingofGodandHisWord.

!  GodhasCOMMANDEDustopursuearigorousunderstandingofHim,asHismultipleexhortationstoteach,keepandprotectsoundtheologydemonstrate.

!  EveryoneliveshisTHEOLOGY.

9/17/16

2

Whystudyingtheologyisimportant…

“Alltheologyisalsospirituality,inthesensethatithasaninfluence,goodorbad,positiveornegative,onits

recipients’relationshiporlackofrelationshiptoGod.Ifourtheologydoesnotquickentheconscienceandsoften

theheart,itactuallyhardensboth;ifitdoesnotencouragethecommitmentoffaith,itreinforcesthe

detachmentofunbelief;ifitfailstopromotehumility,itinevitablyfeedspride.”[J.I.Packer]

Whatdoes“systematictheology”mean?

!  Theos +logos=theology!  God +word=word/studyofGod!  SystematictheologyistheORGANIZED,harmonious,arrangementofallknowntruthaboutGodandHisworks—basedfundamentallyandprimarilyonSCRIPTURE—sothattheunderstandingofHimisbothcomprehensiveandTRANSFORMING.

TheSystemsofTheology

1.  Epistemology–thedoctrineofKNOWLEDGEa.  GodisINCONCEIVABLEandincomprehensible(Is.

40:18;1Tim.6:15-16).b.  GodhasrevealedHimselftousandisthusKNOWABLE

(Jn.1:14,18;Rom.16:25-27).c.  GodisthesourceofallTRUTH(Jn.14:6;17:17).

9/17/16

3

TheSystemsofTheology

d.  Ifpeoplewantasoundmind,theymustseethingsasGodseesthemanddefinethemasHedoes(Prov.1:7;9:10;Phil.3:8-10).

e.  WhenweknowGod,wewillhave—▪  greatenergyforGod▪  greatthoughtsofGod▪  greatboldnessforGod▪  greatcontentmentinGod

TheSystemsofTheology

“…wemustrecognizehowmuchwelackknowledgeofGod.Wemustlearntomeasureourselves,notbyourknowledgeaboutGod,notbyourgiftsandresponsibilitiesinthechurch,butbyhowweprayandwhatgoesoninourhearts.Manyofus,Isuspect,havenoideahowimpoverishedweareatthislevel.LetusasktheLord

toshowus.”[J.I.Packer]

TheSystemsofTheology

2.  Bibliology–thedoctrineoftheSCRIPTURESa.  TheScripturesare“God-breathed”(2Tim.3:16-17).b.  TheScriptureshaveAUTHORITY(Lk.4:1-13).c.  TheScripturesspeaktoeveryareaoflife(2Tim.

3:14-15)andarerelevantforeverySITUATION(2Tim.3:16-17,2Pet.1:3).

9/17/16

4

TheSystemsofTheology

d.  Afailuretoacknowledgethesetruthsleadsto:▪  apursuitofcomfortratherthanobedience▪  asubmissiontothe“authority”ofpersonalexperience

overtheauthorityofScripture▪  anexaltationofcontemporarythinkingratherthanthe

principlesoftheBible

TheSystemsofTheology

3.  TheologyProper–thedoctrineofGOD

“WhatcomesintoourmindswhenwethinkaboutGodisthemostimportantthingaboutus.…ForthisreasonthegravestquestionbeforetheChurchisalwaysGod

Himself,andthemostportentousfactaboutanymanisnotwhatheatagiventimemaysayordo,butwhatheinhisdeepheartconceivesGodtobelike.Wetendbya

TheSystemsofTheology

secretlawofthesoultomovetowardourmentalimageofGod.ThisistruenotonlyoftheindividualChristian,butofthecompanyofChristiansthatcomposestheChurch.AlwaysthemostrevealingthingabouttheChurchisherideaofGod,justashermostsignificantmessageiswhatshesaysaboutHimorleavesunsaid,forhersilenceisoftenmoreeloquentthanherspeech.”

[Tozer,TheKnowledgeoftheHoly,p.1.]

9/17/16

5

TheSystemsofTheology

3.  TheologyProper–thedoctrineofGODa.  GodhasrevealedHimselftousthroughHisWordin

whichHedemonstratesHisATTRIBUTES.b.  GodisaTRIUNEbeing.

TheSystemsofTheology

TheSystemsofTheology

3.  TheologyProper–thedoctrineofGODa.  GodhasrevealedHimselftousthroughHisWordin

whichHedemonstratesHisATTRIBUTES.b.  GodisaTRIUNEbeing.c.  BecauseGodisGod,alllifeterminatesonHim.We

liveforHim,topleaseHim,andtoglorifyHim(2Cor.5:9;1Cor.8:6;10:31).

d.  KnowingthetruthofGodwillproducerestandtrust.

9/17/16

6

TheSystemsofTheology

4.  Anthropology–thedoctrineofMANa.  ManisGod’screationandheismadeintheimage

andlikenessofGod(Gen.1:27).!  Heisnotananimal!  Heisnotavictimofhisenvironment!  HeismadeforGod’sglory

B.   ALLmankindisundersinbecauseofmankind’sidentificationwiththesinofAdam(Rom.5:12).

c.  AllmensinbecausetheyareSINNERS(bornwithoriginalsin)andallmenaresinnersbecausetheySIN(theirownsincondemnsthem).

d.  ManistotallyDEPRAVED—!  Onhisownhecannotdogood(Rom.3:10-18).!  Everythinghedoesissin,becausenothinghedoesisfor

God’sglory(1Cor.10:31).!  Hisheartisdeceitfullywicked(Jer.17:9-10).

TheSystemsofTheology

!  Hisgoalinlifeisselfishnessandonlyevilcontinually(Gen.6:5).

!  Everyaspectofhislifeistaintedbysin.

c.  Manisdirectedbyhisheart/mind(hismissioncontrolcenter).Thisistheareainneedofchange.

TheSystemsofTheology

9/17/16

7

MissionControlCenterBehavior

(words&ac+ons)

Missioncontrolcenter

Lk.6:43-45;Mk.7:20-23;Mt.12:34

Proverbs4:23;23:7INNERMAN(whatcannotbeobserved)

OUTERMAN(whatcanbeobserved)

Will

Conscience

Thoughts

Beliefs

Emo8onsDesiresMind/Heart

e.  Manisdirectedbyhisheart/mind(hismissioncontrolcenter).Thisistheareainneedofchange.

f.  ManwascreatedtoglorifyGod,butbecauseofsin,heseekstoglorifyhimself(Rom.1:18ff,3:23).

TheSystemsofTheology

5.  Hamartiology–thedoctrineofSINa.  SinisawillfultransgressionofthelawofGod.b.  AllpeopleareSINNERS;thenatureofallmenissinful

fromthemomentofbirth(Rom.3).c.  SinrenderspeopleHELPLESStochangethemselves

(Eph.2:1-3).

TheSystemsofTheology

9/17/16

8

d.  AsinnerisALIENATEDfromGod,andasaresult,hewillseekfulfillmentfromtheworld’ssystem(1John2:15-17).Theimplications:▪  Christwillnotbeseenastheonlysolutiontoman’s

problems.▪  Thesinnerwilltrytoprovidesubstitutesthatpromise

fulfillment.▪  Thesinnerwillpursuehisfeltneedsinsteadofhisreal

needs.

TheSystemsofTheology

e.  SinleadstomanyotherPROBLEMS.f.  WhatisthehopefortheChristianwhosins?

▪  OursinsdonotaffectourLEGALSTANDINGwithGod.▪  OursindoesdisruptourFELLOWSHIPwithGod.▪  OursinisREDEEMABLEandisabletobeusedasan

instrumentofgrowthbymeansofappropriatingafreshthetruthsofthegospel(1Pt.1:17ff).

TheSystemsofTheology

6.  Soteriology–thedoctrineofSALVATIONa.  GodsentJesustoRECONCILEsinnerstohimself(2Cor.5:19)b.  Jesus’perfectlifeofobedienceandSUBSTITUTIONARYdeath

providethebasisforabeliever’srestorationtoGod!  TheremustbeaPROPITIATIONforGod’swrath(Rom.3:25)!  TheremustbeIMPUTATIONofrighteousnessandatonementforsin

(Rom.3:24,2Cor.5:21)!  TheremustbeREDEMPTIONfromthebondageofsin(Rom.3:24)!  TheremustbeRECONCILIATIONtoGod(2Cor.5:19)

TheSystemsofTheology

9/17/16

9

c.  SalvationfreesusfromthePENALTYofsinandthePOWERofsin(Rom.6)sothatwecanENJOYGod.

TheSystemsofTheology

“…tobelievethegospelisnotonlytoaccepttheawesometruthsthat1)Godisholy,2)wearehopelesssinners,3)Christdiedandroseagainforsinners,and4)thisgreatsalvationisenjoyedbyfaithinChrist—butbelievingthegospelisalsototreasureJesusChristasyourunsearchableriches.WhatmakesthegospelGospelisthatitbringsapersonintotheeverlasting

andever-increasingjoyofJesusChrist.”

[JohnPiper,“WhatistheChristianGospel?”]

TheSystemsofTheology

d.  AsinnerisreconciledtoGodthroughrepentanceandfaith(2Cor.7:10-11;Eph.2:8-10).

e.  Claritywiththegospelisessentialbecausethemeansofjustificationisthemeansofsanctification(cf.theerroroftheGalatians,Gal.3:1ff).

TheSystemsofTheology

9/17/16

10

7.  Christology–thedoctrineofCHRISTa.  ChristwasFULLYmanineveryway,thoughHedidnot

sinanddidnothaveasinnature(Heb.4:15;1Jn.3:5).b.  ChristwasandisFULLYGod(Jn.1:1ff;Phil.2:5-8).c.  AstheGod-man,JesusChristisneitherdiminishedas

Godorasman.▪  Christhadtwodistinctnatures:humanityanddeity.▪  Therewasnomixtureorinterminglingofthetwonatures.

TheSystemsofTheology

▪  AlthoughHehadtwonatures,ChristwasonePerson.

d.  JesusdiedandroseagainasasubstituteforHispeople(Is.53;1Pt.2:24;3:18;2Cor.5:21)

e.  JesusChrististhemeansofourlifeandallthatweneedforlife(2Pt.1:3;Jn.14:6).

TheSystemsofTheology

TheSystemsofTheology

“IfyoutakeChristoutofChristianity,Christianityisdead.…ThereisnoGospelworththinkingof,muchlessworth

proclaiming,ifJesusisforgotten.WemusthaveJesusasAlphaandOmega…”

[CharlesSpurgeon.]

9/17/16

11

8.  Pneumatology–doctrineoftheHOLYSPIRITa.  TheHolySpiritisaPERSON,notafeeling,aforce,

idea,ormovement.b.  TheHolySpiritisneededforapersontotrulychange

(Rom.8)

TheSystemsofTheology

c.  TheHolySpiritwillproduceHisfruitinALLbelievers(Gal.5:16-26)

d.  TheHolySpirithasgiftedALLbelieverssotheycanhelpotherbelieversgrowinChrist(Rom.12;1Cor.12;Eph.4:11-16).ThepersonwhoistryingtohelpotherschangehastheHelperheneedsintheHolySpirit.

TheSystemsofTheology

TheSystemsofTheology

“TheChristianlifebeginsandcontinuesbythepoweroftheHolySpirit,whomGodhasgraciouslysentfirsttoawakenustoourneedforsalvation,thentogiveusanewbirth,andfinallytodwellwithinustoeventually

presentusflawlesswhenChristreturns.”

[JohnMacArthur.]

9/17/16

12

9.  Ecclesiology–thedoctrineoftheCHURCHa.  ThechurchisthebodyofChrist.Jesusistheheadof

thechurch(Eph.1:21-23).b.  Thechurchexistsforthepurposesofworship,

instruction,fellowship,andevangelizationandequipping(Acts2:43-47;Eph.4:11-16;Titus2:11-14;Matt.28:19-20).

TheSystemsofTheology

▪  ThechurchexiststoprovideacontextoflovingfellowshipwithoneanotherforthepurposeofmutualEDIFICATION(Eph.3:16-19,4:12-16).

▪  Thechurchisatrainingcenterwherebypeoplecangrowthroughtheapplicationofteachingandtheutilizationoftheirspiritualgifts.

TheSystemsofTheology

c.  ThechurchhasAUTHORITY—itisthepillarandsupportofthetruth(1Tim.3:15).

d.  Themosteffectiveplaceforcounselinganddiscipleshipisinthechurch.

TheSystemsofTheology

9/17/16

13

10. Angelology—thedoctrineofANGELSa.  Angelswerecreatedasmessengersandservantsof

Godandtheystillexist(Eph.6:12).b.  Angelsexistasboth“ELECT”and“EVIL.”

▪  TheevilangelsfollowedSataninhisrebellionagainstGodandwerecastoutofheaven—perhapsasmanyasone-thirdofthemfell(Is.14:13-15;Ezk.28:12-17;Rev.12:3-4).

TheSystemsofTheology

▪  Satanandhisangels(demons)arepowerful,buttheyarecreatedbeingsandnotINFINITEinanyway.TheyarelimitedbyGodandunderhisauthority(Js.4:7-10;1Jn.4:4;Job1:12;2:5-6)

c.  ChristiansCANNOTbeinhabitedbydemons(1Jn.2:14;4:4);abelievercannotbeinhabitedbybothlightanddark(1Pt.2:9).Abelievercannotbeundertheauthorityoftwomasters(Mt.6:24;1Cor.6:15ff).

TheSystemsofTheology

c.  TheprimaryactivityofdemonsisDECEPTION(1Thess.3:5;2Cor.4:4;10:5;11:14).

d.  AChristiancounselee’sprimaryproblemiswithhisownsinfulflesh(Js.1:13-15)anddeceptionfromSatan’sinfluenceovertheworldsystem(1Jn.2:15-18),notdemonization.

TheSystemsofTheology

9/17/16

14

11. Eschatology–doctrineoftheLASTTHINGSa.  ThebelieverhasaGREATfuturethatsurpassesany

trialsonearth(Rev.21-22;2Cor.4:16-18).b.  TheunbelieverhasaTERRIBLEfuturethatsurpasses

anyofthefleetingjoysofsin(Mt.25:29-30;Rev.20:11-15).

c.  Alwayshelpcounseleesmaintainaneternalperspectiveontheircircumstances.

TheSystemsofTheology

TheologicalProblemswithSomeChristianCounselingBooks&Methods

1.  AbsenceoftheHolySpirit2.  NeglectoftheChurch3.  Lackofemphasisonprayer4.  NocommitmenttothesufficiencyofScripture5.  Therenamingofsinandtheomissionofrepentance6.  Lackofclaritywiththegospel7.  Man-centered,feeling-oriented,needs-oriented8.  Psychologizedterminology&concepts

Purchase(andread)goodtheologybooks