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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” - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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 TheologyBiblical 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 TheologySystematic 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 TheologyHistorical 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 ConcernsPostmodernism
Pluralism
Agnosticism
Loss of Critical Thought
Divisions
Sin
Apathy
CCS Systematic Theology PROLEGOMENON
Approaches to Understanding the BibleAn 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 BibleA 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 BibleSome 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 BibleRead 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 text2 CORINTHIANS 1:1-7
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
1 Paul, 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:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who 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.
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
6 But 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;
7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.
GET THE BIG PICTUREJOHN’S GOSPEL
JOHN’S GOSPELBook of Signs 1-12
Book of Glory 13-21
CCS Systematic Theology PROLEGOMENON
GenreA 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
GenreEven 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 InterpretationContent
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
Application
What do I do?
The Crucial Step of doing something
5 Substitutes for ApplicationWe 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 applicationKnow
The Text Yourself
Relate
Meditate (Psalm 1)
Practice
CCS Systematic Theology PROLEGOMENON
