[1]    Bible: Basis of Systematic Theology



1.    What is systematic theology?

    a. Definition:

    b. Division: Systematic theology is traditional divided into 8 parts:
 
Bible
bibliology
God
theology
Man
anthropology
Christ
christology
Holy Spirit
pneumatology
Salvation
soteriology
Church
ecclesiology
Last things
eschatology

2.    Why do we need systematic theology?

    a. Objections to systematic theology:

(1) Anti-intellectualism: general opposition to anything resembling an academic discipline; that is why some charismatic theology reduces everything to success, health, wealth

(2) "Doctrine divides; the spirit unites": assuming that doctrines are not useful except cause divisions

(3) Argument that Israel and early church existed without theology

    b. Necessity of systematic theology:     c. Objectives of studying systematic theology: 3.    Why do we need the Bible?
a. Definitions:
b. Revelation is God’s self-manifestation to man. No one can have knowledge of God except through His revelation.

c. General revelation:

d. Special revelation (types):

(1) Visible manifestation: angel of God (Gen 16:7-14; 32:24-30), glory of God (Ex 3:2-4; 24:15-17; 40:34-35), Jesus Christ (Heb 1:1, Jn 1:14; 14:9)

(2) Direct communications: through a voice (Gen 2:16; 1Sa 3:4), dreams (Daniel, Da 7; Joseph, Gen 37:5-11), visions (Ezekiel, Eze 40-48; Zechariah, Zec 1:7-6:8; apostle John, Rev 4-22) (3) the Bible (Heb 1:1-2) e. Objectives of the Bible:

(1) for the salvation of man (Jn 20:31)

(2) to reveal God’s will (Rev 1:11; 22:6-7)

f. Authority of the Bible:

4.    How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?
 
Positive (Approval)
Negative (Disapproval)
Faith
teaching
correcting
Practice
training in righteousness
rebuking
(2) 2Pe 1:20-21 – Prophesies, as recorded in the Bible, are from God and are inspired by the Holy Spirit [Prophet is a person sent by God, bearing the authority of God, relating a message from God.]

(3) Heb 1:1 – God spoke through the prophets and His words are recorded in the Bible.

  c. The above verses refer to the OT. How do we know the NT is also Scripture?

(1) claim as Word of God: