Systematic Theology

1. The Word of God: More Than Just Written Text

Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic.

Diverse forms. The "Word of God" encompasses more than just the Bible. It includes Jesus Christ himself, God's powerful decrees, personal addresses, and speech through human lips. Each form carries divine authority, but the written Word holds a unique position for study and understanding.

• Jesus Christ: Referred to as "The Word of God" (Revelation 19:13), emphasizing His role as the ultimate communicator of God's character.
• Divine Decrees: Powerful pronouncements that bring creation and events into being (Genesis 1:3).
• Personal Address: Direct communication from God to individuals (Exodus 20:1-3).
• Human Speech: God's message delivered through prophets (Deuteronomy 18:18-20).

Written Word's Focus. While all forms are significant, systematic theology primarily focuses on the written Word (the Bible) due to its accessibility, reliability, and permanence. It serves as the foundation for understanding God's will and character.

Application to Life. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of God's Word enriches our understanding and deepens our appreciation for His communication with humanity. It encourages us to seek God in various ways, not limiting ourselves to a single form of revelation.

2. Systematic Theology: A Biblical Approach

Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic.

Comprehensive Understanding. Systematic theology aims to synthesize all relevant biblical passages on a particular subject, providing a comprehensive understanding of what the Bible teaches. It differs from historical, philosophical, and biblical theology by focusing on summarizing the entire Bible's teaching for present-day Christians.

• Historical Theology: Examines how Christians throughout history have understood theological topics.
• Philosophical Theology: Explores theological topics using philosophical reasoning.
• Biblical Theology: Traces the historical development of doctrines within the Bible.

Practical Application. Systematic theology is not merely an academic exercise but a practical tool for applying biblical teachings to daily life. It helps Christians overcome wrong ideas, make better decisions, and grow in maturity.

Organized Study. Systematic theology provides a structured approach to studying the Bible, ensuring that all important topics receive thorough consideration. This organization helps to ensure balanced consideration of complementary doctrines.

3. The Bible's Authority: God's Own Words

The authority of Scripture means that all the words in Scripture are God’s words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.

Divine Authorship. The Bible claims that its words are God's words, spoken through human authors. This divine authorship gives Scripture its unique authority and truthfulness.

Absolute Standard. The Bible functions as the ultimate standard of truth, against which all other claims and ideas must be measured. It is the only infallible guide for belief and conduct.

Practical Implications. Accepting the Bible's authority leads to a willingness to abandon any idea that contradicts its teachings. It also fosters a deep reverence for Scripture and a desire to obey its commands.

Skepticism Rejection. Skepticism regarding theological truth is rejected by evangelicals who see Scripture as the product of human and divine authorship, and therefore as a collection of writings that teach noncontradictory truths about God and about the universe he created.

4. The Bible's Clarity: Accessible Truth

I do not believe that God intended the study of theology to result in confusion and frustration.

Understandable Teachings. God intended the doctrinal teachings of the Bible to be understandable to all Christians, not just theologians. The Bible is written in a way that its central message is clear and accessible.

Spiritual Discernment. While the Bible is clear, spiritual discernment is necessary to understand its teachings rightly. Prayer, humility, and a willingness to abandon wrong ideas are essential for grasping biblical truth.

Overcoming Wrong Ideas. Studying systematic theology helps us overcome our wrong ideas by confronting us with the total weight of Scripture on a particular subject. This allows us to be persuaded even against our initial wrongful inclinations.

Limits of Reasoning. We are free to use our reasoning abilities to draw deductions from any passage of Scripture so long as these deductions do not contradict the clear teaching of some other passage of Scripture.

5. The Bible's Necessity: Essential Guidance

For it is no trifle for you, but it is your life and thereby you shall live long in the land which you are going over the Jordan to possess.

Life-Giving Words. The Bible is essential for spiritual life and growth. It provides the knowledge of the gospel, the nourishment for our souls, and the guidance for living a life pleasing to God.

Beyond General Revelation. While general revelation reveals God's existence and some aspects of His character, it is insufficient for salvation. Specific knowledge of God's words of promise is necessary for saving faith.

Obedience and Trust. The Bible enables us to trust God more fully and obey Him more readily. It provides the foundation for making sound decisions and living a life that honors Him.

Finite Memory. The necessity of systematic theology for teaching what the Bible says comes about primarily because we are finite in our memory and in the amount of time at our disposal.

6. The Bible's Sufficiency: Complete Revelation

The task of teaching all that Jesus commanded us is, in a broad sense, the task of teaching what the whole Bible says to us today.

No Additional Revelation. The Bible contains all the words of God that we need for salvation, trusting Him perfectly, and obeying Him perfectly. No additional revelations or sources of authority are necessary.

Avoiding Doctrinal Fragmentation. The choice of topics need not be restricted to the main concerns of the biblical authors, for our goal is to find out what God requires of us in all areas of concern to us today.

Normative Authority. It is Scripture alone, not “conservative evangelical tradition” or any other human authority, that must function as the normative authority for the definition of what we should believe.

Safeguard Against Error. Reading related sections in several systematic theology books provides a useful check against error and oversight, and often makes one aware of alternative perspectives and arguments that may cause us to modify or strengthen our position.

7. God's Existence: Evident and Assured

For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them.

Inner Sense of God. All people possess an innate awareness of God's existence, their dependence on Him, and His role as Creator. This inner sense is often suppressed due to sin.

Evidence in Creation. The natural world provides abundant evidence of God's power, wisdom, and character. From the vastness of the heavens to the intricacies of living organisms, creation testifies to its Creator.

Faithful God. We base our confidence in the correctness of our present canon on the faithfulness of God.

Skeptical Viewpoint. This skeptical viewpoint must be rejected by evangelicals who see Scripture as the product of human and divine authorship, and therefore as a collection of writings that teach noncontradictory truths about God and about the universe he created.

8. Knowing God: A Finite Yet True Pursuit

The more we know about God, about his Word, about his relationships to the world and mankind, the better we will trust him, the more fully we will praise him, and the more readily we will obey him.

Limited Understanding. Due to our finite nature, we can never fully comprehend God or any single aspect of His being. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours.

Genuine Knowledge. Despite our limitations, we can still attain true knowledge of God through Scripture. The Bible provides accurate and reliable insights into His character and will.

Continuous Growth. The pursuit of knowing God is a lifelong journey. We should continually seek to learn more about Him, trusting that He will reveal Himself to those who diligently seek Him.

Skeptical Viewpoint. This skeptical viewpoint must be rejected by evangelicals who see Scripture as the product of human and divine authorship, and therefore as a collection of writings that teach noncontradictory truths about God and about the universe he created.

9. God's Incommunicable Attributes: Defining the Divine

In God’s own mind, and in the nature of reality itself, true facts and ideas are all consistent with one another.

Unique Characteristics. Incommunicable attributes are those that God does not share with humanity, such as eternity, unchangeableness, and omnipresence. These attributes highlight God's distinct nature as the Creator.

Limited Reflection. While we cannot fully possess these attributes, we can see faint reflections of them in our own lives. For example, our ability to make long-term plans reflects God's eternal purposes.

Skepticism Rejection. This skeptical viewpoint must be rejected by evangelicals who see Scripture as the product of human and divine authorship, and therefore as a collection of writings that teach noncontradictory truths about God and about the universe he created.

Consistency. In God’s own mind, and in the nature of reality itself, true facts and ideas are all consistent with one another.

10. God's Communicable Attributes: Reflections in Humanity

I think that almost everyone who knew me was praying for this project at some time or other—especially my student advisees over several years at Trinity, and many friends in my church.

Shared Qualities. Communicable attributes are those that God shares with humanity, such as love, wisdom, justice, and mercy. These attributes enable us to relate to God and reflect His character in our lives.

Imperfect Imitation. While we can imitate God's communicable attributes, our expression of them will always be limited and imperfect. We strive to grow in these qualities, knowing that we will never fully attain them in this life.

Humility and Love. Systematic theology rightly studied will not lead to the knowledge that “puffs up” but to humility and love for others.

Personal Devotional Lives. Students of systematic theology should resolve at the beginning to keep their lives free from any disobedience to God or any known sin that would disrupt their relationship with him.

11. Creation: God's Purposeful Act

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth.

Divine Origin. God created the entire universe out of nothing, demonstrating His power and sovereignty. This act of creation was not accidental but purposeful, intended to glorify Himself.

Inherent Goodness. The universe that God created was originally "very good," reflecting His perfect character and design. This goodness extends to the material realm, which is not inherently evil but a source of blessing and enjoyment.

Rebellious Ideas. The study of systematic theology is of help in overcoming those rebellious ideas.

Theological Jigsaw Puzzle. In this book the goal is to enable Christians to put into their “theological jigsaw puzzle” as many pieces with as much accuracy as possible, and to encourage Christians to go on putting in more and more correct pieces for the rest of their lives.

12. The Trinity: Unity in Divine Persons

The name by which he is called is The Word of God.

Three-in-One. God eternally exists as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, yet there is only one God.

Distinct Roles. While equal in deity, the members of the Trinity have distinct roles in creation and redemption. The Father plans, the Son executes, and the Holy Spirit applies.

Internal Consistency. Internal consistency, then, is an argument for, not against, any individual results of systematic theology.

Theological Jigsaw Puzzle. In this book the goal is to enable Christians to put into their “theological jigsaw puzzle” as many pieces with as much accuracy as possible, and to encourage Christians to go on putting in more and more correct pieces for the rest of their lives.

Last updated: April 16, 2025