What Is Systematic Theology?

Have you heard of the phrase “systematic theology?” If so or if not, what does it mean?

Systematic

A definition of something that is systematic involves a system, method, or plan like a systematic course of reading or having systematic efforts in a program of study. It is typically presented or formulated as a coherent body of ideas or principles and in the case of theology it is a sub-discipline of studying the Word of God and the associated doctrines that appear from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. Part of a systematic theology may contain a statement of important biblical facts and beliefs in order that the greater part of the student’s time in class and outside of the class can allow them to learn the different parts of how a person is saved, by what means they are saved, and what that belief system entails. The fact that a person is saved by grace and not by works (Eph 2:8-9) is part of the systematic theology of the Bible.

What is Theology?

Systematic theology is a systematic and rational study of the concepts of God and of the nature of religious ideas as found in the Bible but it can also mean the learned profession acquired by completing a specialized training at a school or seminary. The word theology is a compound word and means a study or knowledge (logia) of God (theos). In short, it is a study of the divine things and is limited, not to experience, but to the Bible. The “logia” is the “utterances, sayings” or “oracles” as in this case, the study of the Bible and of God Who is the Author of Scripture (2nd Tim 3:16).

Systematic Theology

Systematic theology is essentially a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs as found in the Bible and is an academic discipline that aims to give a critical and balanced account of central themes in Christian belief and practice. Systematic theology studies the nature of God, the process of salvation, and the work of Christ in His earthly ministry. The main goal is to reduce all revealed truth to a series of statements that together shall constitute an organized whole and may be recorded as confessions of faith for a body of believers like a local church or for a denomination. Biblical theology is not exactly the same thing as systematic theology because biblical theology seeks to understand the progressive unfolding of God’s special revelation throughout history as it is progressively revealed in Scripture from beginning to end. Systematic theology’s goal is to present the entire scriptural teaching on certain specific truths, or doctrines, all at one time, without going through the progressive unfolding from Genesis to Revelation. It gives a snapshot of all scriptural teachings for the believer in Christ. Some creeds were written using systematic theology as its basis.

The Right Savior

If you don’t have the right Jesus then you’ve got the wrong Savior. Many believe that Jesus was a good man, a prophet, or a wise teacher. He was all of these thing yes, but He is also God and Man. Some cults teach that Jesus was created and that He was the half-brother of Satan and thus, He too was a created being but a created being is insufficient to pay for the sins of humanity. A sinless God is! It also takes more than just knowing Jesus as He said “this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Jesus said “For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me” (John 17:8). Jesus’ point is that eternal life are for those who know the one true God, the Father, “and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” so the person who wants to be saved must obviously know Jesus (John 6:44; Acts 4:12) but they must also know the Father Who sent Jesus. I know the president but I imagine if I showed up at the White House and said “I know the president and I want to see him” they would escort me right out of there but if the president knew me, he’d call the guards (secret service) and tell them that he knows me and that I can come in and see him. So to know God is important; including Jesus and the Father but the most important question is; does He know you (Matt 7:23)?

Conclusion

Systematic theology is very important because we use a systematic approach to studying the scriptures and studying the doctrines of the Bible. Certain systematic theological statements are what we hang our hat on as believers and are substantial, tangible beliefs that we can trust and rely upon. Anything outside of the Bible is subjective (and subject to error) but what we read and learn in the Bible is objective truth and cannot be altered or changed by man, therefore, systematic theology is important to the believer because the main things are the plain things and the plain things should always be the main things.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.