Systematic Theology - Wayne Grudem

[Admin]

From the Preface:

"I have not written this book for other teachers of theology, I have written it for students - and not only for students, but also for every Christian who has a hunger to know the central doctrines of the Bible in greater depth"

"I am convinced that most Christians are able to understand the doctrinal teachings of the Bible in considerable depth, provided that they are presented clearly and without the use of highly technical language"

"The following six distinctive features of this book grow out of my convictions about what systematic theology is and how it should be taught"


1: A Clear Biblical Basis for Doctrines
Because I believe that theology should be explicitly based on the teachings of Scripture, in each chapter I have attempted to show where the Bible gives support for the doctrines under consideration.

2: Clarity in the Explanation of Doctrines
I do not believe that God intended the study of theology to result in confusion and frustration...
I think it is only fair to readers of this book to say at the beginning what my own convictions are regarding certain points that are disputed within evangelical Christianity. I hold to a conservative view of biblical inerrancy, very much in agreement with the 'Chicago Statement' of the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy, and a traditional Reformed position with regard to questions of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility, the extent of the atonement, and the question of predestination.

3: Application to Life
....Theology is the study of God and all his works! Theology is meant to be lived and prayed and sung! All of the great doctrinal writings of the Bible (such as Paul's epistle to the Romans) are full of praise to God and personal application to life.

4: Focus on the Evangelical World
I do not think that a true system of theology can be constructed from within what we call the 'liberal' theological tradition - that is, by people who deny the absolute truthfulness of the bible, or who do not think the words of the Bible to be God's very words...
It is always appreciated that the world of conservative evangelical scholarship is so rich and diverse that is affords ample opportunity for exploration of different viewpoints and insights into Scripture.

5: Hope for Progress in Doctrinal Unity in the Church
I believe that there is still much hope for the church to attain deeper and purer doctrinal understanding, and to overcome old barriers, even those that have persisted for centuries.
...Therefore, in this book I have not hesitated to raise again some of the old differences... in the hope that, in some cases at least, a fresh look at Scripture may provoke a new examination of these doctrines and may perhaps prompt some movement not just toward greater understanding and tolerance of other viewpoints, but even toward greater doctrinal consensus in the church.

6: A Sense of the Urgent Need for Greater Doctrinal Understanding in the Whole Church
I am convinced that there is an urgent need in the church today for much greater understanding of Christian doctrine, or systematic theology...One day by God's grace we may have churches full of Christians who can discuss, apply and live the doctrinal teachings of the Bible as readily as they can discuss the details of their own jobs or hobbies....

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Chapter 1: (http://localchurchdiscussions.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=358) Introduction to Systematic Theology (http://localchurchdiscussions.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=358)
What is systematic theology? Why should Christians study it? How should we study it?

PART 1:
THE DOCTRINE OF THE WORD OF GOD
Chapter 2: The Word of God
What are the different forms of the Word of God?
Chapter 3: The Canon of Scripture
What belongs in the Bible and what does not belong?
Chapter 4: The Four Characteristics of Scripture (1) Authority
How do we know that the Bible is God's Word?
Chapter 5: The Inerrancy of Scripture
Are there any errors in the Bible?
Chapter 6: The Four Characteristics of Scripture (2) Clarity
Can only Bible scholars understand the Bible rightly?
Chapter 7: The Four Characteristics of Scripture (3) Necessity
For what purposes are the Bible necessary?
How much can people know about God without the Bible?
Chapter 8: The Four Characteristics of Scripture (4) Sufficiency
Is the Bible enough for knowing what God wants us to think or do?

PART 2:
THE DOCTRINE OF GOD

Chapter 9: The Existence of God
How do we know that God exists?
Chapter 10: The Knowability of God
Can we really know God? How much of God can we know?
Chapter 11: The Character of God: “Incommunicable” Attributes
How is God different from us?
Chapter 12: The Character of God: “Communicable” Attributes (Part 1)
How is God like us in his being and in mental and moral attributes?
Chapter 13: The Character of God: “Communicable” Attributes (Part 2)
How is God like us in attributes of will and in attributes that summarize his excellence?
Chapter 14: God in Three Person: The Trinity
How can God be three persons, yet one God?
Chapter 15: Creation
Why, how, and when did God create the universe?
Chapter 16: God’s Providence
If God controls all things, how can our actions have real meaning?
What are the decrees of God?
Chapter 17: Miracles
What are miracles? Can they happen today?
Chapter 18: Prayer
Why does God want us to pray? How can we pray effectively?
Chapter 19: Angels
What are angels? Why did God create them?
Chapter 20: Satan and Demons
How should Christians think of Satan and demons today?
Spiritual warfare.

PART 3:
THE DOCTRINE OF MAN

Chapter 21: The Creation of Man
Why did God create us? How did God make us like himself?
How can we please him in everyday living?
Chapter 22: Man as Male and Female
Why did God create two sexes? Can men and women be equal and yet have different roles?
Chapter 23: The Essential Nature of Man
What does Scripture mean by "soul" and "spirit"
Chapter 24: Sin
What is sin? Where did it come from? Do we in inherit a sinful nature from Adam? Do we inherit guilt from Adam?
Chapter 25: The Covenants Between God and Man
What principles determine the way God relates to us?

PART 4:
THE DOCTRINES OF CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

Chapter 26: The Person of Christ
How is Jesus fully God and fully man, yet one person?
Chapter 27: The Atonement
Was it necessary for Christ to die? Did Christ's earthly life earn any saving benefits for us?
Chapter 28: Resurrection and Ascension
What was Christ's resurrection body like?
What is its significance for us? What happened to Christ when he ascended into heaven?
What is meant by the states of Jesus Christ?
Chapter 29: The Offices of Christ
How is Christ prophet, priest and king?
Chapter 30: The Work of the Holy Spirit
What are the distinctive activities of the Holy Spirit throughout the history of the Bible?

PART 5:
THE DOCTRINE OF THE APPLICATION OF REDEMPTION

Chapter 31: Common Grace
What are the undeserved blessings that God gives to all people, both believers and unbelievers?
Chapter 32: Election and Reprobation
When and why did God choose us? Are some not chosen?
Chapter 33: The Gospel Call and Effective Calling
What is the gospel message? How does it become effective?
Chapter 34: Regeneration
What does it mean to be born again?
Chapter 35: Conversion (Faith and Repentance)
What is true repentance? What is saving faith?
Can people accept Jesus as Savior and not as Lord?
Chapter 36: Justification (Right Legal Standing Before God)
How and when do we gain right legal standing before God?
Chapter 37: Adoption (Membership in God’s Family)
What are benefits of being a member of God's family?
Chapter 38: Sanctification (Growth in Likeness to Christ)
How do we grow in Christian maturity?
What are the blessings of Christian growth?
Chapter 39: Baptism in and Filling With the Holy Spirit
Should we seek a "baptism in the Holy Spirit" after conversion?
What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Chapter 40: The Perseverance of the Saints (Remaining a Christian)
Can true Christians lose their salvation?
How can we know if we are truly born again?
Chapter 41: Death and the Intermediate State
What is the purpose of death in the Christian life?
What happens to our bodies and souls when we die?
Chapter 42: Glorification (Receiving a Resurrection Body)
When will we receive resurrection bodies?
What will they be like?
Chapter 43: Union With Christ
What does it mean to be "in Christ" or "united with Christ"?

PART 6:
THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

Chapter 44: The Church: Its Nature, Its Marks and Its Purposes
What is necessary to make a church? How can we recognize a true church? The purpose of the church.
Chapter 45: The Purity and Unity of the Church
What makes a church more or less pleasing to God?
What kinds of churches should we cooperate with or join?
Chapter 46: The Power of the Church
What kind of authority does the church have?
How should church discipline function?
Chapter 47: Church Government
How should a church be governed? How should church officers be chosen? Should women serve as pastors of churches?
Chapter 48: Means of Grace Within the Church
What the different activities within the life of the church that God uses to bring blessing to us?
What do we miss if we neglect involvement in a local church?
Chapter 49: Baptism
Who should be baptized? How should it be done?
What does it mean?
Chapter 50: The Lord’s Supper
What is the meaning of the Lord's Supper?
How should it be observed?
Chapter 51: Worship
How can our worship fulfill its great purpose in the New Testament age?
What does it mean to worship "in spirit and in truth"?
Chapter 52: Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1) General Questions
What are spiritual gifts? How many are there? Have some gifts ceased? Seeking and using spiritual gifts.
Chapter 53: Gifts of the Holy Spirit (2) Specific Gifts
How should we understand and use specific spiritual gifts?

PART 7:
THE DOCTRINE OF THE FUTURE

Chapter 54: The Return of Christ: When and How?
When and how will Christ return? Could he come back at any hour?
Chapter 55: The Millennium
What is the Millennium? When does it occur?
Will Christians go through the Great Tribulation?
Chapter 56: The Final Judgment and Eternal Punishment
Who will be judged? What is hell?
Chapter 57: The New Heavens and New Earth
What is heaven? Is it a place? How will the earth be renewed?
What will it be like to live in the new heavens and new earth?

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[Igzy]

This is the best theology book I've ever read. Highly recommended.

Another smaller and excellent book is Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe.

http://www.amazon.com/Doctrine-What-Christians-Should-Believe/dp/1433506254/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326464392&sr=8-1

Both are on the shelves at Barnes & Noble.

[Admin]

*** Selected Excerpts ***

Chapter 2

THE WORD OF GOD
What are the different forms of the Word of God?


EXPLANATION AND SCRIPTURAL BASIS
What is meant by the phrase "the Word of God"? Actually, there are several different meanings taken by this phrase in the Bible. It is helpful to distinguish these different senses clearly at the beginning of this study.

"The Word of God" as a Person: Jesus Christ

Sometimes the Bible refers to the Son of God as "the Word of God." In Revelation 19:13, John sees the risen Lord Jesus in heaven and says, "The name by which he is called is The Word of God." Similarly, in the beginning of John's gospel we read, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). It is clear that John is speaking of the Son of God here, because in verse 14 he says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father."….

"The Word of God" as Speech by God

1. God's Decrees. Sometimes God's words take the form of powerful decrees that cause events to happen or even cause things to come into being. "And God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light" (Gen. 1:3). God even created the animal world by speaking his powerful word: ….
These powerful, creative words from God are often called God's decrees. A decree of God is a word of God that causes something to happen. These decrees of God include not only the events of the original creation but also the continuing existence of all things, for Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Christ is continually "upholding the universe by his word of power."

2. God's Words of Personal Address.
God sometimes communicates with people on earth by speaking directly to them. These can be called instances of God's Word of personal address. Examples are found throughout Scripture. At the very beginning of creation God speaks to Adam: "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die'" … Another prominent example of God's direct personal address to people on earth is found in the giving of the Ten Commandments: "And God spoke all these words, saying, 'I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me ...'" (Ex. 20:1-3). In the New Testament, at Jesus' baptism, God the Father spoke with a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17).

In these and several other instances where God spoke words of personal address to individual people it was clear to the hearers that these were the actual words of God: they were hearing God's very voice, and they were therefore hearing words that had absolute divine authority and that were absolutely trustworthy. To disbelieve or disobey any of these words would have been to disbelieve or disobey God and therefore would have been sin.

3. God's Words as Speech Through Human Lips.
Frequently in Scripture God raises up prophets through whom he speaks. Once again, it is evident that although these are human words, spoken in ordinary human language by ordinary human beings, the authority and truthfulness of these words is in no way diminished: they are still completely God's words as well.

In Deuteronomy 18, God says to Moses:
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not give heed to my words which he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die. (Deut. 18:18-20)

Thus God's words spoken through human lips were considered to be just as authoritative and just as true as God's words of personal address. There was no diminishing of the authority of these words when they were spoken through human lips. To disbelieve or disobey any of them was to disbelieve or disobey God himself.

4. God's Words in Written Form (the Bible).
In addition to God's words of decree, God's words of personal address, and God's words spoken through the lips of human beings, we also find in Scripture several instances where God's words were put in written form. The first of these is found in the narrative of the giving of the two tablets of stone on which were written the Ten Commandments: "And he gave to Moses, when he had made an end of speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God" (Ex. 31:18). "And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables" (Ex. 32:16; 34:1, 28).

…Further additions were made to this book of God's words. "And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God" (Josh. 24:26). God commanded Isaiah, "And now, go, write it before them on a tablet, and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a witness for ever"

Once again it must be noted that these words are still considered to be God's own words, even though they are written down mostly by human beings and always in human language. Still, they are absolutely authoritative and absolutely true: to disobey them or disbelieve them is a serious sin and brings judgment from God (1 Cor. 14:37; Jer. 36:29-31).

C. The Focus of Our Study
Of all the forms of the Word of God,1 the focus of our study in systematic theology is God's Word in written form, that is, the Bible. This is the form of God's Word that is available for study, for public inspection, for repeated examination, and as a basis for mutual discussion. It tells us about and points us to the Word of God as a person, namely Jesus Christ, whom we do not now have present in bodily form on earth. Thus, we are no longer able to observe and imitate his life and teachings firsthand.

The other forms of the Word of God are not suitable as the primary basis for the study of theology….

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