Blogging on Prolegomenon
Prolegomenon: Introduction to Systematic Theology
"What makes Christ glorious is an admirable conjunction of diverse Excellencies." Jonathan Edwards "The Excellency of Christ," in… The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 1--Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1974--Page 680).
It was Vince Lambarty, head coach of the Green Bay Packers, I am told, who held up a football and said to his team of professional athletes, “This is a football.” For that team, football was more than a spectator sport, they lived it, and yet Coach Lambarty felt it was necessary to remind the team of some basics. Where did Coach start? “This is a football.” What does foot ball have to do with proleg- what-cha-ma-call-it? I hope to answer that and other questions as we proceed.
This is part of a study of systematic theology which I have compiled, and edited and taught in a Wednesday evening class at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding any part of these posts, I may not answer if I feel it is becoming redundant and/or futile, but don’t worry perhaps the more academic among us will field some questions too. I will do my best to bring readers into a fuller understanding of many theological terms and ideas. I hope the more scholarly readers will be patient with those who may be just getting their feet wet and still participate in this and upcoming posts.
Prolegomenon (The Love of the Game)
We will begin with an introduction to Systematic Theology (ST) often spoken of as Pro-le-gom-e’non. This component of our study (Prolegomenon) comes directly from the lecture and notes prepared by Dr. Larry D. Pettigrew, Th. D. when he was the Professor of Systematic Theology for Master level work at Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Interestingly, my pastor Philip DeCourcy was one of his students at The Masters Seminary, Sun Valley, California.
In Football, as with most spots ones personal enjoyment has to do with ones knowledge of and involvement in or with the game. To understand Football better Coach Lambarty said to his team of professionals this is a “foot ball”. He started with some basics as building blocks to more complex “plays” in the game. So as we move on in our relationship with our Lord, I too make it my aim to lift and unfold from the Bible, building blocks to help us establish and become more grounded in that relationship through the knowledge of His Word.
This is a Bible. There is a great Bible program called http://www.e-sword.net/index.html e-Sword if you do not yet have it I recommend it you can get it http://www.e-sword.net/index.html here. Just click and follow the instructions. It is a free program and you may wish to have it for easy referencing.
We will begin by answering, “What is the meaning of systematic theology?” Hear what some prominent theologians have about this. If you don’t understand something don’t worry too much about that just yet, do your best to understand and remember to ask a question if you want to you can do this in the comment section. Here are some definitions of theologythey offer:
1. Strong: “Theology is the science of God and of the relations between God and the universe.”
2. Charles Hodge: “Theology, therefore, is the exhibition of the facts of Scripture in their proper order and relation, with the principles or general truths involved in the facts, themselves, and which pervade and harmonize the whole.”
3. Lewis Sperry Chafer: “Systematic Theology may be defined as the collecting, scientifically arranging, comparing, exhibiting and defending of all facts from any and every source concerning God and His works.”
4. W.G.T. Shedd: “Theology is a science that is concerned with both the Infinite end the Finite, with both God and the Universe. The material, therefore, which it includes, is vaster than that of any other science. It is also the most necessary of all the sciences.”
5. William Perkins “Golden Chain”: “The body of Scripture is a doctrine sufficient to live well. It comprehendeth many holy sciences, whereof one is principle, others are handmaids or retainers. The principle science is theology. Theology is the science of living blessedly for ever.”
6. William Ames, Medulla Sacrae Theologiae: “Theologia est doctrina Deo vivendi.”
7. Millard Erickson, Christian Theology p. 21: “...that discipline which strives to give a coherent statement of the doctrines of the Christian faith, based primarily upon the Scriptures, placed in the context of culture in general, worded in a contemporary idiom, and related to issues of life.”
8. John Frame, The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God p. 25: “...the application of Scripture to all areas of human life.”
9. J. Wendell Cole: “The fact that God has revealed Himself in creation, His Son, and Scripture makes theology a science and an art to aid us in building a stronger relationship with God. Systematic Theology is a system of study seeking to lift from the Bible all which God has to say on each doctrinal division in a logical and cohesive manner. It is both a science, in that it seeks the truth, and an art in that it offers a fuller (not complete) display of the beauty of our Creator.”
The Etymology (or the meaning and origin of the words) of “theology”
The word “theology” literally means God-Study, or God-Knowledge, Theos Logos. (This is practical for every Christian, Lit. “Knowing God”)
Luke 8: 21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
Acts 7:38 “He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us.” (See the greater context Acts 6:1- 8: 8)
Rom. 3:1-2 “What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.”
Heb. 5:12 “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
1Pet. 4:11 “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
In th next postour study, "Prolegomenon: Introduction to Systematic Theology", continues with, "The Aim of Theology".
"What makes Christ glorious is an admirable conjunction of diverse Excellencies." Jonathan Edwards "The Excellency of Christ," in… The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 1--Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1974--Page 680).
It was Vince Lambarty, head coach of the Green Bay Packers, I am told, who held up a football and said to his team of professional athletes, “This is a football.” For that team, football was more than a spectator sport, they lived it, and yet Coach Lambarty felt it was necessary to remind the team of some basics. Where did Coach start? “This is a football.” What does foot ball have to do with proleg- what-cha-ma-call-it? I hope to answer that and other questions as we proceed.
This is part of a study of systematic theology which I have compiled, and edited and taught in a Wednesday evening class at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding any part of these posts, I may not answer if I feel it is becoming redundant and/or futile, but don’t worry perhaps the more academic among us will field some questions too. I will do my best to bring readers into a fuller understanding of many theological terms and ideas. I hope the more scholarly readers will be patient with those who may be just getting their feet wet and still participate in this and upcoming posts.
Prolegomenon (The Love of the Game)
We will begin with an introduction to Systematic Theology (ST) often spoken of as Pro-le-gom-e’non. This component of our study (Prolegomenon) comes directly from the lecture and notes prepared by Dr. Larry D. Pettigrew, Th. D. when he was the Professor of Systematic Theology for Master level work at Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Interestingly, my pastor Philip DeCourcy was one of his students at The Masters Seminary, Sun Valley, California.
In Football, as with most spots ones personal enjoyment has to do with ones knowledge of and involvement in or with the game. To understand Football better Coach Lambarty said to his team of professionals this is a “foot ball”. He started with some basics as building blocks to more complex “plays” in the game. So as we move on in our relationship with our Lord, I too make it my aim to lift and unfold from the Bible, building blocks to help us establish and become more grounded in that relationship through the knowledge of His Word.
This is a Bible. There is a great Bible program called http://www.e-sword.net/index.html e-Sword if you do not yet have it I recommend it you can get it http://www.e-sword.net/index.html here. Just click and follow the instructions. It is a free program and you may wish to have it for easy referencing.
We will begin by answering, “What is the meaning of systematic theology?” Hear what some prominent theologians have about this. If you don’t understand something don’t worry too much about that just yet, do your best to understand and remember to ask a question if you want to you can do this in the comment section. Here are some definitions of theologythey offer:
1. Strong: “Theology is the science of God and of the relations between God and the universe.”
2. Charles Hodge: “Theology, therefore, is the exhibition of the facts of Scripture in their proper order and relation, with the principles or general truths involved in the facts, themselves, and which pervade and harmonize the whole.”
3. Lewis Sperry Chafer: “Systematic Theology may be defined as the collecting, scientifically arranging, comparing, exhibiting and defending of all facts from any and every source concerning God and His works.”
4. W.G.T. Shedd: “Theology is a science that is concerned with both the Infinite end the Finite, with both God and the Universe. The material, therefore, which it includes, is vaster than that of any other science. It is also the most necessary of all the sciences.”
5. William Perkins “Golden Chain”: “The body of Scripture is a doctrine sufficient to live well. It comprehendeth many holy sciences, whereof one is principle, others are handmaids or retainers. The principle science is theology. Theology is the science of living blessedly for ever.”
6. William Ames, Medulla Sacrae Theologiae: “Theologia est doctrina Deo vivendi.”
7. Millard Erickson, Christian Theology p. 21: “...that discipline which strives to give a coherent statement of the doctrines of the Christian faith, based primarily upon the Scriptures, placed in the context of culture in general, worded in a contemporary idiom, and related to issues of life.”
8. John Frame, The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God p. 25: “...the application of Scripture to all areas of human life.”
9. J. Wendell Cole: “The fact that God has revealed Himself in creation, His Son, and Scripture makes theology a science and an art to aid us in building a stronger relationship with God. Systematic Theology is a system of study seeking to lift from the Bible all which God has to say on each doctrinal division in a logical and cohesive manner. It is both a science, in that it seeks the truth, and an art in that it offers a fuller (not complete) display of the beauty of our Creator.”
The Etymology (or the meaning and origin of the words) of “theology”
The word “theology” literally means God-Study, or God-Knowledge, Theos Logos. (This is practical for every Christian, Lit. “Knowing God”)
Luke 8: 21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
Acts 7:38 “He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us.” (See the greater context Acts 6:1- 8: 8)
Rom. 3:1-2 “What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.”
Heb. 5:12 “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
1Pet. 4:11 “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
In th next postour study, "Prolegomenon: Introduction to Systematic Theology", continues with, "The Aim of Theology".
posted by J. Wendell at 6:53 AM
2 Comments:
Sorry, I had a problem with Bloger this morning and deleted this post and the comments by a mistake. If you are hurt that your comments were deleted please leave more.
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