Lecture 1c: Getting the Basics Down:

Why do differing theologies exist?

Dr. Paul R. Shockley

� Biblical Systematic theology seeks to answer

the question, “What does the whole Bible

teach us today?” on a given topic or issue.

� The word “doctrine” is what the Bible teaches

about a particular topic (e.g., Christology;

Pneumatology; Eschatology).

� ST brings to bear what the whole Bible proclaims (not

committing the analytic fallacy). The analytic fallacy is focusing

on one truth to the neglect of all other related truths.

� ST gives us explanatory power since we seek to unfold the

precepts of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation.

� ST summarizes each doctrine as it should be understood and

applied by believers.

� ST helps protect us from wrongly interpreting a given passage

because we take into account what the whole Bible proclaims.

� ST helps protect us from wrongly interpreting a given passage because we take into account what the whole Bible proclaims.

� ST helps us discern and overcome false ideas, ask better questions, make better decisions, and qualitatively grow as Christians.

� ST becomes the foundation, the grid, or the filter of a comprehensive, and coherent biblical worldview: Your view of God, reality, truth, knowledge, humanity, ethics, and evil.

� One’s worldview: A worldview is

a habituated way of seeing and

doing; it is the sum-total of one’s

beliefs, the big picture that

directs one’s outlook (attitude),

behavior, and actions.

� Presuppositions: fixed biases that

do not change unless extreme

pressure is applied.

� Preunderstandings: moldable

influences that come and go;

they are fluid-like influences.

� Noetic Effects of Sin: The effects of

sin upon the mind.

� Profound experiences (e.g., natural

evil; moral evil; mystical

experiences) can impact us

negatively and/or positively.

� Counterfeit Kingdom: Satanic

confusion on God’s people as a tool

to try to disrupt the Gospel and

what matters most (e.g., salt and

light; ministry of Jesus Christ

through us; seeing lives changed for

His glory.

� Hermeneutics: How

should we interpret

the Scriptures.

� Certain Authorities

within and outside of

Christianity

� Certain Personalities

with their mesmerizing

abilities to persuade

people.

� People-groups and their

contextual setting.

� Ecclesiastical corruption, pride,

and abuse upon and even

within congregations.

� Impact of various philosophical

ideas and cultural movements

on the church, theology,

authorities, and powerful

personalities. Ideas have

consequences.

The relationship between church and governments (e.g., kings, rulers, princes, presidents, emperors)

Misinterpretations of Scripture (though perhaps well-intended).

Certain theological emphases to the neglect of the whole of Scripture; committing the analytic fallacy.

Impact from other religions and religious movements.

� The impact of an ever-changing

culture (s) on theology

(e.g.,Renaissance; Modernism;

Postmodernism)

� Doctrinal development, discussion,

and division of theology.

� Self-centeredness.

� Lack of patience.

� Deadly mistakes by well-intentioned

saints.

� Willful ignorance of Scripture.

VIEW OF GOD

DOCTRINE OF THEOLOGY

PROPER

DOCTRINE OF CREATOR –CREATION

DISTINCTION.

DOCTRINE OF TRINITY

DOCTRINE OF CHRISTOLOGY

DOCTRINE OF PNEUMATOLOGY

VIEW OF MAN

DOCTRINE OF ANTHRO-POLOGY

DOCTRINE OF THE IMAGE OF

GOD IN MAN

DOCTRINE OF EVIL & SIN

DOCTRINE OF SOTERIOLOGY

ECCLESIOLOGY/ISRAELOLOGY

BIBLICAL JUDGMENTS

VIEW OF TRUTH

DOCTRINE OF TRUTH:Typically

correspondence –coherent models.

DOCTRINE OF PROLEGOMENA & BIBLIOLOGY

HERMENEUTICS

BIBLICAL APPLICATION

OF TRUTH

SOLA SCRIPTURA

VIEW OF VALUES:

MORAL VALUES ARE THE

OBJECTIVE TRUTHS SOURCED

IN THE GOD OF THE BIBLE

NATURAL, MORAL LAW & SCRIPTURE

FOR GODLY LIVING.

ABSOLUTE FORM OF ETHICS:

Qualified absolutism; conflict absolutism; graded absolutism.

STEWARDSHIP

VIEW OF REALITY

REALITY CREATED BY GOD

OF BIBLE.

FIRST PRINCIPLES OF LOGIC

REALITY IS MATERIAL SPIRITUAL;

MIRACLES CAN & DO OCCUR.

ESCHATOLOGY.

ANGELOLOGY-DEMONOLOGY-SATANOLOGY.