SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
Before answering the question “How does systematic theology apply to your witness, salvation, and ministry?”, I believe one needs to fully grasp the meaning and understanding of it.
Systematic as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary is: 1. Of, characterized by, based on, or constituting a system. 2. Carried on by using a step-by-step procedure and 3. Purposefully regular, methodical.
Theology as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary is: 1. The study of the nature of God and religious truth, 2. A system or school of opinions concerning God and religious questions, and 3. A course of specialized religious study usually at a college or seminary.
A quote from Lewis Sperry Chafer on the subject states, “Systematic Theology may be defined as the collecting, scientifically arranging, comparing, exhibiting, and defending of all facts from any and every source concerning God and his works.”
Father God tells us about studying his word and the purpose for it. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (KJV) He goes on to say in 2 Timothy 3:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Why does Father God tell us that? Let’s look at 2 Timothy 3:17, “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
When it comes to systematic theology, it is my belief that it is an imperative means of studying God’s word. Just reading the word, and not diligently studying and searching the scriptures, causes one to take verses out of context or lessen it’s meaning. As a preacher or teacher of God’s word, we need to be very careful of using his word. God will hold spiritual leaders accountable for those who are spiritually harmed or lost because of the leader’s refusal or neglect to warn and to protect their people from false teachers and doctrine. (Please read 1 Timothy 1:14 and Revelation 2:2)
A pastor’s, teacher’s, or evangelist’s ministry includes communicating God’s word through accurate preaching and teaching and coming against false beliefs, ideas, and teaching. (Note: Titus 1: 11-14)
Notice the words I have thus far underlined: all scripture, profitable, man of God, thoroughly furnished, imperative, to warn, to protect, accurate, and to guard. God is telling me from this variety of verses – ALL SCRIPTURE IS PROFITABLE MAN OF GOD! He is also telling me: It is imperative to be thoroughly furnished, to warn of false teachings, to protect the church from hearsay. And furthermore, Be accurate preachers and teachers and GUARD my word. We can only do that when we utilize our resource of understanding “Systematic Theology.”
How does it apply to salvation? If we do not fully understand salvation and all it entails, we ourselves may not be saved and we may not be teaching and preaching true salvation. Many times, I have heard of and seen “emotionalism.” Emotions may be a part of our experience in salvation but in of itself it is not salvation!
Once saved, we need to be kept by the Holy Spirit. We must guard and defend the message of Christ. Peter writes, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15) The words “be ready” in Greek (hetoimos) means be prepared, willing, and equipped. This lesson teaches me that systematic theology is an integral part of studying and understanding salvation in God’s word.
I, for one, would not want to stand before my Lord at the judgment seat of Christ, having to answer for not properly understanding and teaching/preaching salvation.
Salvation is mentioned over 164 times in the bible and over 45 times in the New Testament. (Strong’s Concordance) Salvation is a vital importance to God as shown here. We must be diligent stewards of his word and use step-by-step (systematic) study of his word and of his salvation (theology) to effectively guard it, teach it, preach it, and believe it.
How does systematic theology apply to our witnessing? E witness to others the word of God (Matthew 28: 19-20) and his salvation. We first need to guard the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The only way we can do that is with the help of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who inspired the unfailing and eternal truth of God’s word (2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:21) and who is the great guide and defender of the truth. (John 16:13). When defending the original message (and not water it down) and the foundation of “faith which was delivered unto us,” the saints, (Jude 1:3) it means to me that we faithfully stand alongside the Holy Spirit (John 14:17, 15: 26-27, 16:13). The other ingredient is utilizing “systematic theology” in our study of God’s word.
How does systematic theology apply to our ministry? In view of the foregoing, I believe it plays a major role. Without its use I would fear the chance of false teaching, hearsay, or taking the Lord’s word out of context.
Systematic theology utilized while studying God’s word is like air to life. Without air we would physically die. Without the systematic theology approach to studying the bible, we take the chance of spiritual death.
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