2.  What is doctrine?  Why should we study doctrine?  How should we study doctrine?

3.  What do you think of when you hear the word “doctrine”?

4. A. “Doctrine” simply means “teaching” (2 Tim. 3:16). In this class we will define it as “what the whole Bible teaches us today about some particular topic” (Grudem, p. 25). Though some today belittle the idea of “doctrine,” the fact is that everyone has doctrinal beliefs. Everyone is a theologian (e.g., “God exists”—“God does not exist;” “All Scripture is inspired”—“Most of Scripture is inspired;” etc.).

5. B. “ Theology” – theos; logos 1.Theology is the study of God. Theology is possible because... a.God really exists (Gen. 1:1). b.Mankind has the mental and spiritual capacity for knowing God since he has been created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). c.God has revealed Himself to mankind (Deut. 29:29). 2. The study of God (theology) naturally leads to doctrine.

6. C. “Systematic theology” – “Any study that answers the question, ‘What does the whole Bible teach us today?’ about any given topic” (Grudem, p. 21). “Systematic theology involves collecting and understanding all relevant passages in the Bible on various topics and then summarizing their teachings clearly so that we know what we believe about each topic” (Pettegrew, p. 17).

7. D. Churches declare their own doctrine in a statement of faith. A church’s statement of faith is a product of a church’s systematic theology.

8. A. We have been saved because we have believed doctrine (Rom. 10:17; Acts 16:31; Titus 3:4-7). B. Studying, believing and practicing doctrine is one of the ways we worship and love our God (Deut. 6:4). C. It is through the study of doctrine that we grow in our knowledge and love of Christ. Jesus summarized the theology of Christ from the Old Testament for the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27).

9. D. It is a logical, obedient response to the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20).  The church has historically systemized doctrines into catechisms in order to prepare people for baptism and church membership (the first edition of Calvin’s Institutes was basic instruction for youth). E. It helps us overcome wrong ideas and protects us from false doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16; Tit. 1:9). F. It helps us grow more godly (Tit. 1:1; I Tim. 1:10; 6:3).

10. G. It helps the Church come to true unity (Eph. 4:13-15). Major and Minor Doctrines - “A major doctrine is one that has a significant impact on our thinking about other doctrines, or that has a significant impact on how we live the Christian life. A minor doctrine is one that has very little impact on how we think about other doctrines, and very little impact on how we live the Christian life” (p. 29).

11. H. It prepares us apologetically (1 Pet. 3:15; Against Heresies, Irenaeus). I. It equips us for ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).

12. J. There are consequences if doctrine does not penetrate our churches: 1.Manology 2.Liberalism 3.False unity 4.Legalism / Antinomianism 5.Mysticism 6.Emotionalism 7.Minimalism 8.“Disorderly and random theology”

13. K. Other reasons...

14. A. With prayerful dependence upon the Holy Spirit (Ps. 119:18; 1 Cor. 2:14). B. With the humility of a learner (1 Pet. 5:5; James 3:17-18).

15. C. With reason 1.In the New Testament, Jesus and the N.T. authors frequently quote a section of Scripture and then draw logical conclusions from it (cf. Matt. 12:1-6; Rom. 5). 2.However, “the deductions we draw from the statements of Scripture are not equal to the statements of Scripture themselves in certainty or authority, for our ability to reason and draw conclusions is not the ultimate standard of truth— only Scripture is” (Grudem, p. 34).

16. 3.Purposes of reason a.To understand revelation b.To apply revelation c.To communicate revelation But, reason is not a source of theology. Scripture should shape our reason. Reason should not shape our Scripture.

17. D. With help from others (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11; Acts 18:26, Aquila and Pricilla). The Bible teaches us that Christ has given teachers to the church. How should this correct a belief that says, “I only need the Bible. I don’t need to listen to men”?

18. E. By collecting and understanding all the relevant passages of Scripture on any topic. 1.Find all the relevant verses. 2.Read, make notes, and try to summarize the points made in the relevant verses. 3.Summarized what the Bible affirms about the subject into one or more points from the teachings of the various verses. 4.Check your conclusions against those drawn by other believers. 5.Search for applications to life and ministry.  However, you don’t throw away a doctrine because you can’t use it today or tomorrow.

19. F. With rejoicing and praise. 1.“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Deut. 6:5). 2.“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart” (Ps. 19:8). 3.“I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches (Ps 119:14). 4.“How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Ps 119:103)! 5.“Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart” (Ps. 119:111).

20. 6.Rom 11:33-36 – 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34"For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?" 35"Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?" 36For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

21. A. There are limitations to the study of doctrine. 1.The limitation of ignorance (somewhat related to sin) a.Unregenerate (2 Cor. 4:9; 1 Cor. 2:14) b.Regenerate (1 Cor. 3:1; Heb. 5:11-14)

22. 2. The problem of finiteness God is infinite. We can know God truly, but never exhaustively. Human language is finite While it is difficult for our finite language to describe the infinite, the facts that we were made in God’s image, that God spoke to the prophets, and that Christ used language (Heb. 1:1-2) all point to the adequacy of language.

23. 3. The silence of written revelation The Bible reveals to us what God wants us to know (Deut. 29:29). 4. However, we have no reason to become “theological agnostics” since because God has revealed Himself “to us and our children” (Deut. 29:29).

24. B. Our goal in this class is not to exhaust every area of doctrine, but to introduce you broadly to systematic theology in order to encourage you to know and love your God more and to serve Him more effectively.

26.  Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Save from wrath and make me pure.

27.  Not the labor of my hands Can fulfill Thy law’s demands; Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow, All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.

28.  Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.

29.  While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyes shall close in death, When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.