Lecture 1c: Getting the Basics Down: Why do differing theologies exist? Dr. Paul R. Shockley
Biblical Systematic theology seeks to answer the question, What does the whole Bible teach us today? on a given topic or issue. The word doctrine is what the Bible teaches about a particulartopic (e.g., Christology; Pneumatology; Eschatology).
ST brings to bear what the whole Bible proclaims (not committing the analytic fallacy). Theanalytic fallacy is focusing on one truth to the neglect of all other related truths. ST gives us explanatory power since we seek to unfold the precepts of God s Word from Genesis to Revelation. ST summarizes each doctrine as it should be understood and applied by believers. ST helps protect us from wrongly interpreting a given passage because we take into account what the whole Bible proclaims.
ST helps protect us from wrongly interpreting a given passage because we take into account what the whole Bible proclaims. ST helps us discern and overcome false ideas, ask better questions, make better decisions, and qualitatively grow as Christians. ST becomes the foundation, the grid, or the filter of a comprehensive, and coherent biblical worldview: Your view of God, reality, truth, knowledge, humanity, ethics, and evil.
One s worldview: A worldview is a habituated way of seeing and doing; it is the sum-total of one s beliefs, the big picture that directs one s outlook (attitude), behavior, and actions. Presuppositions: fixed biases that do not change unless extreme pressure is applied. Preunderstandings: moldable influences that come and go; they are fluid-like influences.
Noetic Effects of Sin: The effects of sin upon the mind. Profound experiences (e.g., natural evil; moral evil; mystical experiences) can impact us negatively and/or positively. Counterfeit Kingdom: Satanic confusion on God s people as a tool to try to disrupt the Gospel and what matters most (e.g., salt and light; ministry of Jesus Christ through us; seeing lives changed for His glory.
Hermeneutics: How should we interpret the Scriptures. Certain Authorities within and outside of Christianity Certain Personalities with their mesmerizing abilities to persuade people.
People-groups and their contextual setting. Ecclesiastical corruption, pride, and abuse upon and even within congregations. Impact of various philosophical ideas and cultural movements on the church, theology, authorities, and powerful personalities. Ideas have consequences.
The relationship between church and governments (e.g., kings, rulers, princes, presidents, emperors) Misinterpretations of Scripture (though perhaps well-intended). Certain theological emphases to the neglect of the whole of Scripture; committing the analytic fallacy. Impact from other religions and religious movements.
The impact of an ever-changing culture (s) on theology (e.g.,renaissance; Modernism; Postmodernism) Doctrinal development, discussion, and division of theology. Self-centeredness. Lack of patience. Deadly mistakes by well-intentioned saints. Willful ignorance of Scripture.
VIEW OF GOD VIEW OF MAN VIEW OF TRUTH VIEW OF VALUES: VIEW OF REALITY THEOLOGY PROPER CREATOR CREATION DISTINCTION. TRINITY CHRISTOLOGY PNEUMATOLOGY ANTHRO- POLOGY THE IMAGE OF GOD IN MAN EVIL & SIN SOTERIOLOGY ECCLESIOLOGY/ ISRAELOLOGY BIBLICAL JUDGMENTS TRUTH: Typically correspondence coherent models. PROLEGOMENA & BIBLIOLOGY HERMENEUTICS BIBLICAL APPLICATION OF TRUTH SOLA SCRIPTURA MORAL VALUES ARE THE OBJECTIVE TRUTHS SOURCED IN THE GOD OF THE BIBLE NATURAL, MORAL LAW & SCRIPTURE FOR GODLY LIVING. ABSOLUTE FORM OF ETHICS: Qualified absolutism; conflict absolutism; graded absolutism. STEWARDSHIP REALITY CREATED BY GOD OF BIBLE. FIRST PRINCIPLES OF LOGIC REALITY IS MATERIAL SPIRITUAL; MIRACLES CAN & DO OCCUR. ESCHATOLOGY. ANGELOLOGY- DEMONOLOGY- SATANOLOGY.