Introduction of Systematic Theology

 

What is well-connected theology? What is the need for this teaching of Christians? How do we take this lesson?

A.         Definition of theology

As a general and basic definition of theology we can call it ‘the study about God or science’. But since the God of Christianity is an active being, this initial definition needs to be lengthened a bit, to include God's work and God's relationship with it in this definition. So in theology we will include God's creation, basically man's creation and their situation, and God's saving work for man's salvation.

 

Now, with the purpose of this study in mind, we can define it as "a systematic representation of the doctrines of Christianity", that primarily based on Scripture (the Bible), served in general cultural context, expressed in contemporary terms, and which is in life Related to various issues. That is to say, the essential features of theology are –

 

1.    Theology must be biblical. The 7 canonical books of the Old and New Testaments are the primary source of this teaching. Therefore, in this teaching, the Scriptures need to be properly and deeply understood and explained. Of course, deeper meanings of various truths of God's general revelation are also used when necessary.

 

2.    This Theology is Systematic. That is, the whole Bible is taken as the Center point in this teaching. Not to think or interpret a single part of the Bible separately, but to bring together the teachings of different parts of the Bible in one place, to discover the relationship of one to another, and to present it in a systematically.

 

3.    This theory is related to various issues of General Culture & Learning. Therefore, it also deals with the general issues of culture and education, the theory of science presented by the creation or realization of human personality psychologist or philosopher to explain the history, culture and education etc. The common factors are discussed.

 

4.    This theology must be contemporary. Although the issues of this teaching are eternal, its language, thoughts and ideas must be comprehensible in the present situation. But we have to keep in mind that there is a risk involved in doing this. This is because there are many theologians who, in interpreting various current issues, have reshaped various Bible truths in such a way that they have distorted God's Word (the peril of modernizing Jesus). In contrast, Bible truth has been presented in such a way that in order to realize it, 21st century people have to go back to the first century. But in this way we can only deal with the problems of the first century that we cannot even think of in this twenty-first century (peril of archaizing ourselves).

  

That is why it is the responsibility of theology today not only to promote Christianity through contemporary thinking, but also to address contemporary questions or problems at the same time. Again, we should not stop here. Because thinking about the future, theology must also be ready to answer the next issues.

 

5.    Finally, theology must be practical. This does not mean Practical Theology, that is, how the content of this study is to be preached, or how to give advice, or how to teach children, not like that. This means that theology is not just about faith, but it’s related with life. The Christian faith helps us in many aspects of our practical life. For example, after confirming Jesus' second coming, Paul said, “Comfort one another with all these words.” Of course we must always remember that as a result of any Christian doctrine we will think of its practical aspects; but on the contrary, we should never dare to formulate any Christian doctrine by thinking of any practical side.

 

B.  The position of systematic theology on the map of Theology

 

The term ‘theology’ refers to a large place. Therefore, it is essential to know exactly which part we refer to as systematic Theology. In a broader sense, the term refers to each of the subjects taught in the theological school. In this sense, it includes the Old Testament, the New Testament, the history of the church, the systematic theology, the mission, the philosophy of religion, preaching, pastoral care, and so on. But in a narrow sense, the term refers to the teaching of various doctrines of the Christian faith. There, we see the categories of Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, Philosophical Theology, etc. From all these sections we can distinguish the well-connected systematic theology. In fact, in our teaching, we will refer to this ‘systematic theology’ in simple terms as ‘Theology’. Again in this systematic theology we will learn about biblical doctrines, the doctrine of scripture, the doctrine of God, the doctrine of man, the doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of salvation, the doctrine of the church, and the doctrine of the eschatology.

 

C. Definition of Systematic Theology

 

Although different definitions are given, we will use the following definition in our study needs - what we believe about different topics, gathering different parts of the Bible on that subject in one place and grasp the meaning of those passages, summarizing the Bible's teachings on the subject and summarizing them.

 

D. What is Christian doctrine?

Christian doctrine, in simple terms, means "what the whole Bible teaches us today about a particular subject." This definition is directly related to the definition of systematic theology. Because as a result of the application of well-connected theology to a particular subject, we gain different doctrines. In this sense, the word ‘doctrine’ can refer to a very wide place on the one hand, and a very narrow place on the other. The doctrine of God, therefore, refers to a broader place, which includes a summary of all Bible teachings about God. On the other hand, its relatively narrow doctrine is the doctrine of God's eternity, or the doctrine of the triune God, or the doctrine of God's justice etc.

 

We will study the following seven main subject of Christianity, focusing on the seven main doctrines

1. Doctrine of the Word of God, Bibliology

2. Doctrine of God, Theology Proper

3. Doctrine of Man, Anthropology

4. Doctrine of Christ, Christology

5. Doctrine of Salvation, Soteriology

6. Doctrine of Church, Ecclesiology

7. Doctrine of Last Things, Eschatology

 

In each of the major sections above, we will teach different doctrines. We will usually choose those doctrines as the subject of our discussion after considering three aspects-

(1) The scriptures place special emphasis on those doctrines (the nature of God's love, God's justice, the birth of Jesus in the womb of a virgin, etc.).

(2) Those doctrines played a significant role in the history of the Christian church, having a special impact on the lives of believers of all time (the Trinity God, the God of Christ, and human nature, etc.)

(3) In the present environment of the Christian church, those doctrines occupy an important place in the lives of believers (truthfulness of scripture, spiritual warfare, spiritual healing, etc.).

 

Finally, we need to understand the difference between systematic theology and Christian ethics. Although we see the overlap between these two types of studies in different cases, we will always try to keep in mind the basic differences between these two types of studies. ‘What God’s will is about what we believe and know,’ is systematic theology. The place of theology. But ‘what is God’s will in what situation, what we will do and what attitude we will adopt’ is the place of Christian ethics. That is, where theology is centered on different ideologies, Christian ethics is centered on different situations in life. The answer to how we think comes from theology, but the answer to how we live is from Christian ethics. That is not to say that there will be no transfer between the two. Because, theology must be applied in the life of the believers (in this sense, theology is also moral to some extent). Again, ethics must be based on a proper idea of ​​God.

 

E.   Concept of primary theology education (Presuppositions)

 

Our theology education begins with two preconceptions-

(1)   The Bible is absolutely true, that is true and the Bible is indeed the ultimate standard of truth, and (2) the God mentioned in the Bible maintains its existence, and what the Bible says about Him is true. He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all things within it.

 

F.    Why would a believer in Christ study theology?

Is Bible reading not enough in daily life? What is the need to study theology again?

1. Jesus' commandments to teach believers correctly (Matthew 28.19-20; 1Corinthians 14, 37)

2. To correct our misconceptions on various issues

3. To make better decisions in the future

4. To grow as a believer in Christ (1 Timothy 6.3, Titus 1.1)

 

G.  How will a believer in Christ study theology?

1. with Prayer (Psalm 119.18; 1 Corinthians 2.14; Ephesians 1.17-19)

2. With humility (1 Peter 5.5; James 1.19-20; 3.13, 17-18)

3. Logically

4. with the help of others (1 Corinthians 12.28)

5. We must pay attention to the teachings of all parts (based on only one or two parts of the Bible so that we do not try to make any theological doctrines).