{"id":568,"date":"2019-01-02T12:22:33","date_gmt":"2019-01-02T17:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/?p=568"},"modified":"2019-01-02T12:22:33","modified_gmt":"2019-01-02T17:22:33","slug":"gods-first-responders-day-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/?p=568","title":{"rendered":"God&#8217;s First Responders Day 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction to Systematic Theology<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Definitions and approach to Systematic\nTheology<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Theology = <em>theos<\/em>\n\u2013 God \/ Logos \u2013 discourse<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Doctrine of God<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But in the broad and more usual\nsense, the term has come to mean all Christian doctrines, not only the specific\ndoctrine of God, but also all the doctrines that deal with the relations God\nsustains to the universe. In this broad sense, we may define theology as the\nscience of God and his relations to the universe.<a href=\"#_ftn1\"><sup>[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The\nscience of God and His Works<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Science may question the\nregularity even of the laws of nature, but the experienced believer in God sees\nin these apparent irregularities the intervention of God and the manifestation\nof his miraculous power. He maintains that while the apprehension of the divine\nrevelation is progressive, the revelation itself is as stable as the\nrighteousness and truth of God themselves. He, therefore, believes in the\npossibility of theology and of systematic theology, and he regards them with\nthe same favor as did the ancients. Even the modern student who does not\nformulate his theological beliefs has fairly definite views with regard to the\nmajor questions in the field. The reason for this is found in his own mental\nand moral constitution<a href=\"#_ftn2\"><sup>[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Systematic Theology vs. Biblical theology.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Biblical Theology = the study of various types\nof theology on a book by book basis through the Bible.<\/li><li>Systematic\nTheology = breaks down Biblical theology into categories or systems to form a\nhelpful overviews of various doctrines.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Liberal presuppositions<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;The Word of God is not perfect.<\/li><li>Truth\nis in a constant state of flux<\/li><li>It\nis unsafe to form fixed views of theological truths.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Evangelical\nPresuppositions<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;There are constants to our universe.<\/li><li>Evidence\nof these constants can be seen in nature and mathematics.<\/li><li>There\nis a perfect, constant, infallible source of truth.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<em>For the invisible things of\nhim from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the\nthings that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are\nwithout excuse:<\/em>\u201d (Romans 1:20, KJV 1900) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;The Nature of Theology<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Theology and Ethics<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Philosophical Ethics = developed on a purely\nnaturalistic basis \u2013 no doctrine of sin.<\/li><li>Christian\nEthics = motivated by an affection for and willing submission to God.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Theology and Religion<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>In\ntheology man organizes His thoughts concerning God and the universe.<\/li><li>In\nreligion man expresses in attitudes and actions the effects that those thoughts\nhave produced in him.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In other words, in theology a man\norganizes his thoughts concerning God and the universe, and in religion he\nexpresses in attitudes and actions the effects these thoughts have produced in\nhim.<a href=\"#_ftn3\"><sup>[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Theology and Philosophy<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Theology begins with the belief in the eternal\nexistence of God.<\/li><li>Philosophy\nbegins with the belief in the eternal existence of matter \u2013 denying special\nrevelation from an eternal God.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To know a man\u2019s philosophy is,\ntherefore, to get possession of the key to understanding him and also to\ndealing with him (Acts 14:17; 17:22\u201331). But the Christian must recognize that\nphilosophy will never bring a person to Christ. Paul writes, \u201cThe world through\nits wisdom &nbsp;&nbsp;p 4&nbsp; did\nnot come to know God\u201d (1 Cor. 1:21)<a href=\"#_ftn4\"><sup>[4]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To know a man\u2019s philosophy is,\ntherefore, to get possession of the key to understanding him and also to\ndealing with him (Acts 14:17; 17:22\u201331). But the Christian must recognize that\nphilosophy will never bring a person to Christ. Paul writes, \u201cThe world through\nits wisdom &nbsp;&nbsp;p 4&nbsp; did\nnot come to know God\u201d (1 Cor. 1:21)<a href=\"#_ftn5\"><sup>[5]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Necessity of Theology<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;The Organizing instinct of the intellect.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Not content with the accumulation of facts.<\/li><li>One\nmust find a way to organize these findings into a system.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Character of unbelief of this age.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Dangers threaten the Church from philosophy. \u2013\nColossians 2:8<\/li><li>The\nChristian must be ready with a Biblical answer. 1 Peter 3:15<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;The Character of Scripture.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;The Bible is to the theologian what nature is\nto the scientist.<\/li><li>There\nare certain passages focused on a particular theology.<\/li><li>None\nof these themes are exhaustive in any one passage.<\/li><li>It\nis necessary therefore that we gather truth and organize it into a system.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;The development of an intelligent Christian\nCharacter.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Theology must be more than mere theory.<\/li><li>Theology\nmust be the guide to intelligent thinking about religious problems and a\nstimulus to Holy living.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Conditions for effective Christian Service.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;Know Doctrine<\/li><li>Preach\nDoctrine<\/li><li>Live\nDoctrine<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref1\"><sup>[1]<\/sup><\/a> Thiessen,\nH. C., &amp; Doerksen, V. D. (1979). <a href=\"https:\/\/ref.ly\/logosres\/thiessensystheo?ref=Page.p+2&amp;off=59&amp;ctx=he+doctrine+of+God.+~But+in+the+broad+and\"><em>Lectures in\nsystematic theology<\/em><\/a> (p. 2). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge: William\nB. Eerdmans Publishing Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref2\"><sup>[2]<\/sup><\/a> Thiessen,\nH. C., &amp; Doerksen, V. D. (1979). <a href=\"https:\/\/ref.ly\/logosres\/thiessensystheo?ref=Page.p+1&amp;off=1230&amp;ctx=fs+for+this+belief.+~Science+may+question\"><em>Lectures in\nsystematic theology<\/em><\/a> (p. 1). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge: William\nB. Eerdmans Publishing Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref3\"><sup>[3]<\/sup><\/a> Thiessen,\nH. C., &amp; Doerksen, V. D. (1979). <a href=\"https:\/\/ref.ly\/logosres\/thiessensystheo?ref=Page.p+3&amp;off=299&amp;ctx=y+lead+to+religion.+~In+other+words%2c+in+t\"><em>Lectures in\nsystematic theology<\/em><\/a> (p. 3). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge: William\nB. Eerdmans Publishing Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref4\"><sup>[4]<\/sup><\/a> Thiessen,\nH. C., &amp; Doerksen, V. D. (1979). <a href=\"https:\/\/ref.ly\/logosres\/thiessensystheo?ref=Page.p+3&amp;off=2687&amp;ctx=dheres+to+his+faith.~+To+know+a+man%E2%80%99s+phi\"><em>Lectures in\nsystematic theology<\/em><\/a> (pp. 3\u20134). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge:\nWilliam B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#_ftnref5\"><sup>[5]<\/sup><\/a> Thiessen,\nH. C., &amp; Doerksen, V. D. (1979). <a href=\"https:\/\/ref.ly\/logosres\/thiessensystheo?ref=Page.p+3&amp;off=2687&amp;ctx=dheres+to+his+faith.~+To+know+a+man%E2%80%99s+phi\"><em>Lectures in\nsystematic theology<\/em><\/a> (pp. 3\u20134). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge:\nWilliam B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction to Systematic Theology &nbsp;Definitions and approach to Systematic Theology &nbsp;Theology = theos \u2013 God \/ Logos \u2013 discourse &nbsp;Doctrine of God But in the broad and more usual sense, the term has come to mean all Christian doctrines, not only the specific doctrine of God, but also all the doctrines that deal with the &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/?p=568\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">God&#8217;s First Responders Day 1<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-568","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sunday-evening-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/568","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=568"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/568\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":569,"href":"https:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/568\/revisions\/569"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=568"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=568"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=568"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}