Systematic Theology - Part 2
If you have read my last post on Systematic Theology you will be somewhat familiar with what this form of theology is. If you have not, you should first read that post by visiting Systematic Theology - Part 1. After reading that first post you may see that systematic theology is obviously a great way to study the Bible, but you may not really understand why it is that we need to study the Bible in this great of depth.
Well, rest assured if this is what you have been wondering. I too have thought about why it is that we need to take the time to really study the Bible, especially, if you are not in any sort of ministry. First without any scriptural references, because like I said, I’m not a Bible scholar. I want to tell you why I believe it is important that every Christian takes the time to study out the Bible a bit further than just reading it every day.
Sometimes we get stuck in situations where we feel as if we are compromising on God’s Word. In these situations it would be very helpful to understand what the Bible says about what you are doing, and why you are feeling the way that you are. There are a lot of unlearned people who really don’t completely understand the Gospel, so I believe that with going above and beyond simply reading the Bible, by going through some good books like Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. People will gain a much better understanding of the Gospel, and they won’t base their salvation upon what they are doing, but instead, upon what God has done for them.
Secondly, I feel that it is important to understand the Word well enough that when some Jehovah’s Witnesses, or Mormons come knocking on your door that you can clearly explain to them where your faith and their faith are different. A lot of people come to this belief that as long as the person at the door says something about Jesus, that they are the same, well, that will be covered here in about nine or ten weeks, so lets save that for later discussion. By understanding the Bible in a more complete sense we will be able to stand more firmly on our beliefs when we are confronted with systems of beliefs which are different.
So now going to scripture. My hope would be that whoever decides to really follow this with me would go ahead and get a copy of Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem, so that I don’t have to quote the scriptures which he is using. I see that as just biting off of his work, and I really don’t want to do that. So instead I am going to simply quote one scripture which has been very influential in developing my want to understand the Bible in a more complete way. Acts 17:11 says, “…they received the Word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” This is talking about how a certain group of Jews responded when they heard the Gospel in it’s completeness for the first time. They didn’t take for granted what they were hearing, and they wanted to make sure that what they were going to believe in was true.
The things which are talked about throughout the Scriptures are often mind boggling. It seems to me like it would be logical to go through the Bible and attempt to understand these things at a deeper level. By doing this we can develop a better understanding which will lead us to knowing the Glory of God in a way that is only possible by the revealing of himself through the Word.
Where do some of you, who study theology often, agree or disagree? I would love to get some conversation going on here… Any one willing to spark it up?
