Systematic Theology Outline and Lessons

Outline for Systematic Theology

I. Introduction to Theology

Definitions: systematic, theology

Quote on systematic theology by Lewis Sperry Chafer

II. The study of God (Theology)

How God communicates to us.

a. Natural Revelations (Isaiah 40:26, Psalm 19)

b. Spiritual revelations

(1) Inspiration – Revelation is the fact of divine communication. Inspiration is the means used by God that communicates his revelations. (Hebrews 1:1)

(2) Inspiration is:

a) Founded by Joel 2:28

b) Attested to in Acts 2:16-18

c) The means by which all scripture is given (1 Peter 1:11; 2 Samuel 23:2; 2 Timothy 3:16).

d) To reveal events (Acts 1:16, 28:25; 1 Peter 1:11).

e) To reveal the mysteries of God (Amos 3:7, 1 Corinthians 1:10).

f) To empower ministries (Micah 3:8; Acts 1:8).

g) To give direction to ministries (Ezekiel 3:24-27, Acts 11:12, 13:2)

h) To control ministries (Acts 16:6)

(3) Interpretation only one and only one of scripture by the bible (2 Timothy 3:16). NOTE: Interpretation is parallel with illumination (for example: 2 Corinthians 3:14-16. How heart is hardened and a lack of illumination.

1 John 4:1 tells us to try the spirit and see what source it is. Testing enables us to be sure of doctrine.

III. The study and history/canonicity of the bible (Bibliography)

a. Bible Facts:

(1) 66 books written over a period of 1600 years (approximately 1500 BC to 100 AD)

(2) Over 40 authors (Kings, Prophets, leaders, and followers of Jesus)

(3) Old Testament has 39 books (1500 BC to 400 BC)

(4) New Testament has 27 books (AD 45 to AD 100)

b. Bible organized in hermeneutical approach to scripture:

(1) Genesis to Deuteronomy (The Law)

(2) Joshua to Esther (History)

(3) Job to Song of Solomon (Poetry)

(4) Isaiah to Daniel (Major Prophets)

(5) Hosea to Malachi (Minor Prophets)

(6) Matthew to John (Gospels)

(7) Acts (History)

(8) Romans to 2nd Thessalonians (Pauline Letters)

(9) Hebrews to Jude (General Epistles)

(10) Revelation (Prophecy)

c. Internal evidence of the bible (Example: “Thus saith the Lord” used no less than 416 times in the bible.

Jesus:

· He believed in the prophets (Matthew 22:40, 24:15)

· He believed in Noah (Luke 17:26)

· He professed belief in Adam and Eve (Matthew 19:4)

· He believed the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 10:15)

· He believed in the work of Jonah (Matthew 12:40)

IV. Attributes of God

To organize the immense subject of the study of God, it will be organized in two divisions: His natural attributes for one and his moral attributes for two.

a. Natural Attributes

1) Omnipotence (all-powerful) “Power” used over 289 occurrences in the bible. (Psalms 62:11 and 1` Chronicles 16:11)

a) All power is attributed to God (Ephesians 1:9, 3:20; Jeremiah 32:17; Psalm 115:3.

b) His works of power are unlimited (Acts 17:24, John 1:3; Jeremiah 10:12)

c) His power requires no labor (Psalm 33:9) and is expressed by:

d) Voice of God (Psalm 29: 3,5, 68:33)

e) Finger of God Exodus 8:19, Psalm 8:13)

f) Hand of God (Exodus 9:15, Isaiah 48:13)

g) Arm of God (Job 40:9, Isaiah 52:10)

h) Thunder of his power (Job 26:14) expressed as:

(1) Great (Psalm 79:11 and Nahum 1:3)

(2) Strong (Psalm 89:13 and 136:12)

(3) Glorious (Exodus 15:6 and Isaiah 63:12)

(4) Mighty (Job 9:4 and Psalm 89:13)

(5) Everlasting (Isaiah 26:4 and Romans 1:20)

(6) Sovereign (Romans 9:21)

(7) Effectual (Isaiah 43:13, Ephesians 3:7)

(8) Irresistible (Deuteronomy 32:39 and Daniel 4:35)

(9) Incomparable (Psalm 89:8, Exodus 15: 11-12, Deuteronomy 3:24 and Job 40:9)

(10) Unsearchable (Job 5:9 and 9:10)

(11) Incomprehensible (Job 26:14 and Exodus 3:11)

i) All things are possible (Matthew 19:26)

j) Nothing to hard for God (Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:27)

k) He can save by many or few (1 Samuel 14:6)

l) Source of all strength (1 Chronicles 29:12, Psalm 68:35

m) Exhibited in:

(1) Creation (Psalm 102:25 and Jeremiah 10:12)

(2) Establishing and Governing all things (Psalm 65:6 and 66:7)

(3) Miracles of Christ (2 Corinthians 13:4 and Colossians 2:12)

(4) Resurrection of saints (1 Corinthians 6:14)

(5) Making the gospel effectual (Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:18,24)

(6) Delivering his people (Psalm 106:8)

(7) Destruction of the wicked (Exodus 9:16 and Romans 9:22)

n) Saints:

(1) Long for exhibition (Psalm 63: 1-2)

(2) Have confidence in God (Jeremiah 20:11)

(3) Receive increase of grace by him (2 Corinthians 9:8)

(4) Strengthened by him (Ephesians 6:10 and Colossians 1:11)

(5) Upheld by him (Psalm 37:17 and Isiah 41:10)

(6) Supported in affliction by him (2 Corinthians 6:7 and 2 Timothy 1:8)

(7) Delivered by him (Nehemiah 1:10 and Daniel 3:17)

(8) Exalted by him (Job 36:22)

(9) Kept by him to salvation (1 Peter 1:5)

o) Exerted in belief of saints (2 Chronicles 16:9)

p) Works in and for saints (2 Corinthians 13:4, Ephesians 1:19, 3:20)

q) The faith of saints will stand in God (1 Corinthians 2:5)

r) God should be:

(1) Acknowledged (1 Chronicles 29:11, and Isaiah 33:13)

(2) Pleaded in prayer (Psalm 79:11 and Matthew 6:13)

(3) Feared (Jeremiah 5:22 and Matthew 10:28)

(4) Magnified (Psalm 21:13, and Jude 1:25)

s) Efficiency of ministries is through (1 Corinthians 3: 6-8, Galatians 2:8, and Ephesians 3:7)

t) Is a ground of trust (Isaiah 26:4 and Romans 4:21)

u) The wicked:

(1) Know not (Matthew 22:29)

(2) Have against them (Ezra 8:22)

(3) Shall be destroyed (Luke 12:5)

v) The heavenly host magnify (Revelation 4:11, 5:13 and 11:17)

2) Omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10 and Acts 17:27)

3) God is eternal (Psalm 90:2)

4) The immensity of God (1 Kings 8:27 and Acts 17: 27-28)

5) Omniscience (Isaiah 48: 18 and Romans 8)

6) Self-existence (Exodus 3:24)

7) God is immutable (James 1:7-8, Malachi 3:6, Romans 1:23, Psalm 33:11)

b. Moral attributes:

(1) God is truth (John 14: 1,2,6; Isaiah 44: 8-10; Numbers 23:19, Romans 3:3-4)

(2) God is love 1 John 4:8, 10, 11, 19; John 3:16, 5:42 and Romans 5:5-8)

(3) Holiness (Exodus 15:11, Isaiah 57:15, Psalm 11:4-6, 1 Peter 1:16)

(4) Righteousness and Justice (Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 145:17, 1 John 4:8, and Romans 2:2)

(5) Four types of God’s love:

a) Benevolence (Matthew 5:45)

b) Compassion

c) Mercy

d) Affection (Luke 15: 8-9)

V. The Trinity

VI. The origin of man (anthropology)

· The fall of man

VII. Sin (Hamartiology)

· The origin of sin

· The depravity of man

VIII. Salvation (Soteriology)

· The elements of salvation

How Systematic Theology helps:

· The subject appears several times in the bible

· It enables us to be stronger

· It ensures that both novice and scholars are well-grounded in God’s word

· It keeps us on track with solid doctrine

· It proves many doubts