CCS Systematic Theology PROLEGOMENON

Why do Theology?  THEOLOGY IS THE “STUDY OF GOD”  THE ONLY GOD THERE IS, IS THE ONE – “WHO IS”  Yahweh is His given “name”  It means, “I AM, who I AM” or “I Am” or “ The One Who IS”  DOROTHY SAYERS – “THEOLOGY IS THE MISTRESS- SCIENCE”  Theology is the study of What Is

Dorothy Sayers, “The Lost Tools of Learning”  “ This reminds me of the grammar of Theology. I shall add it to the curriculum, because theology is the mistress-science without which the whole educational structure will necessarily lack its final synthesis. Those who disagree about this will remain content to leave their pupil's education still full of loose ends. This will matter rather less than it might, since by the time that the tools of learning have been forged the student will be able to tackle theology for himself, and will probably insist upon doing so and making sense of it. ”

Why do Theology?  THEOLOGY IS THE “STUDY OF GOD”  THE ONLY GOD THERE IS, IS THE ONE – “WHO IS”  Yahweh is His given “name”  It means, “I AM, who I AM” or “I Am” or “ The One Who IS”  DOROTHY SAYERS – “THEOLOGY IS THE MISTRISS- SCIENCE”  Theology is the study of What Is

Approaches to Theology  Biblical theology: the discipline that attempts to summarize and restate the teaching of a biblical text or of a biblical author without imposing any modern categories of thought on the text. Rather, the goal is to understand the “theology” of a biblical book or author in its original historical context.

Approaches to Theology  Systematic theology: The attempt to summarize religious truth or the belief system of a religious group (such as Christianity) through an organized system of thought carried out within a particular cultural and intellectual context ( see method of theology). A common systematic order in Christian theology begins with God and God’s self-revelation, followed by creation and the predicament of sin, God’s saving work in and through Jesus Christ, the Spirit as the agent in personal salvation, the church as the redeemed community of God’s people, and finally the goal of God’s program as leading to the end of the age, Christ’s return and eternity.

Approaches to Theology  Historical theology: The division of the theological discipline that seeks to understand and delineate how the church interpreted Scripture and developed doctrine throughout its history, from the time of the apostles to the present day. The twofold function of historical theology is to show the origin and development of beliefs held in the present day and to help contemporary theologians identify theological errors of the past that should be avoided in the present.

Some Concerns  Postmodernism  Pluralism  Agnosticism  Loss of Critical Thought  Divisions  Sin  Apathy

CCS Systematic Theology PROLEGOMENON

Approaches to Understanding the Bible  An assumption: The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice and therefore is the Primary Source for our structures of Theology. To then be able to do so, one must know how to understand the Bible.  More than just reading  Words are just sounds and symbols until you apply meaning

Approaches to Understanding the Bible  A General Structure:  Observation  2/3 of the time  Asks, “What do I see?”  Interpretation  1/6 of the time  Asks, “What does it mean?”  Application  1/6 of the time  Asks, “What do I do?”

OBSERVATION WHAT DO I SEE?

Approaches to Understanding the Bible  Some Specifics:  The first step to a proper hermeneutic* is that you must actually read the Bible  The second step is to read it again  When you have questions  Read it again  Find connections to other texts – intertextuality  Find like passages – parallelisms  Build an understanding - theology

Reading the Bible  Read as an overview  This is 30,000 ft; the forest  Read Colossians in one sitting  Read Ecclesiastes in one sitting  Read as a study  This is 30 feet; the trees  Use all the tools of study  Read other writings on this  Read as devotion  Remember, this is God’s Word(s)

Ways to read  Thoughtfully  Repeatedly  Patiently  Selectively  Prayerfully  Imaginatively  Meditatively  Purposefully  Acquisitively  Telescopically  Regularly

Six Things to Look for  Things that are emphasized  Things that are Repeated. Things that are Repeated.  Things that are related.  Things that are alike  Things that are unalike  Things that are true to life

Work with a text Col. 3:14; James 5:12; 1 Peter 4:8

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. James 5 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4

Six Things to Look for  Things that are emphasized  Things that are Repeated. Things that are Repeated.  Things that are related.  Things that are alike  Things that are unalike  Things that are true to life

Work with a text 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1-7

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.

Six Things to Look for  Things that are emphasized  Things that are Repeated. Things that are Repeated.  Things that are related.  Things that are alike  Things that are unalike  Things that are true to life

Work with a text Galatians 5:16-26

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5

Six Things to Look for  Things that are emphasized  Things that are Repeated. Things that are Repeated.  Things that are related.  Things that are alike  Things that are unalike  Things that are true to life

Work with a text Matthew 13:24-50

24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” 33 He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.

Six Things to Look for  Things that are emphasized  Things that are Repeated. Things that are Repeated.  Things that are related.  Things that are alike  Things that are unalike  Things that are true to life

Work with a text Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Six Things to Look for  Things that are emphasized  Things that are Repeated. Things that are Repeated.  Things that are related.  Things that are alike  Things that are unalike  Things that are true to life

Work with a text 1 Peter 3:1-7

3 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3

Six Things to Look for  Things that are emphasized  Things that are Repeated. Things that are Repeated.  Things that are related.  Things that are alike  Things that are unalike  Things that are true to life

Let’s put it all together THE ASSIGNMENT: HEBREWS 6:4-12 HOW MANY OBSERVATIONS?

Six Things to Look for  Things that are emphasized  Things that are Repeated. Things that are Repeated.  Things that are related.  Things that are alike  Things that are unalike  Things that are true to life  NOTICE:  Grammar  Tense  Agreement  Number  Structure  BUT, FUNCTION OVER FORM  Context  Text  History

 What is emphasized?  What is repeated?  What is related?  What is alike?  What is not alike?  What is true to life?  4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.  9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Systematic Theology for Eilish Urgo PROLEGOMENON

Genre  A term that refers to different types or varieties of literature or media. In the interpretation of texts, particularly the Bible, most exegetes agree that identifying the genre of the text to be interpreted is crucial and that the text must be understood in light of the common conventions that typified that genre at the time of its writing. Thus, poetry is not to be interpreted in the same manner as historical narrative, nor is prophecy properly read in the same manner as an epistle (letter).  Yet, this is a Multi-categorical Discussion

Genre  Even though poetry is not interpreted the same way as an epistle, they are both within the genre of “Bible”  We must not confuse regular interpretation with Biblical Interpretation  We are not less responsible with the Bible, rather more  The Bible is more than a book (2 Peter 1:19-21)

Genre General  Musical  Literary  Informative  Visual  Biblical Biblical  Law  Historical/Narrative  Prophetic  Poetic/Prose/Wisdom  Gospel  Epistle  Apocalyptic  Parable

The Genres of the 66 – the 1 THE Bible

INTERPRETATION What does it mean?

5 Keys to Interpretation  Content  The raw material, the text – this is the seam from Observation to Interpretation  Context  Context, Context, Context – this is the mantra of meaning  Textual, Historical, Cultural, Theological contexts  Comparison  Comparing Scripture to Scripture  Culture  What world gave the information – how do we translate?  Consultation – Do not stand alone

Now you do it!  Jeremiah 29:11  Matthew 7:24-27  Matthew 18:1-14  Matthew 18:15-20  Hebrews 6:4-12  Revelation 3:14-22 (include a secondary on Revelation 3:20)  Content  Context  Comparison  Culture  Consultation

Application What do I do?

The Crucial Step of doing something

5 Substitutes for Application  We Substitute interpretation for application  We substitute superficial obedience for substantive life-change  We substitute rationalization for repentance  We substitute emotional experience for volitional decision  We substitute communication for transformation

4 Steps of application  Know  The Text  Yourself  Relate  Meditate (Psalm 1)  Practice

CCS Systematic Theology PROLEGOMENON