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ST 101 – INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

OUTLINE OF LECTURES

 

Reading List 

 

0.   Preliminary Remarks

Part I: Theology

1.1.   Theology and Revelation

   A. Initial Observations: the necessity of revelation; revelation as the principium of theology

   B. Theology and Scripture

   C. Theology and Faith

            1. the role of faith: faith and the principium of theology

            2. the nature of faith

3. faith and reason

4. theology and confession

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    old D. Theology and the Church

1. theology and the life of the church; theology and confession

2. Reformed theology

    old E. The Limits of Theology

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    D. Theology and Epistemology: some exegetical foundations

1. Matthew 11:25-27/Luke 10:21-22

            2. 1 Corinthians 1-2

    E. Theology and God As Self-Revealing

1. the aseity (self-existence) of God

            2. the spirituality of God

3. language: God’s and ours

4. the limits of theology

Part II: Revelation

2.1  Preliminary Remarks: revelation and history

2.2  Creation as Revelation (general revelation)

    A. Key Passages: Psalms 19:1; 50:6; 97:6; Job 12:7-9; Jer. 5:21-22; Acts 14:17; Rom. 1:19-20

    B. The Word of God

    C. The image of God: Acts 17: 27-28; Rom. 2:14-15

    D. Conclusions

2.3  Special Revelation Before the Fall: Genesis 1 & 2

2.4  Special Revelation After the Fall

    A. Introductory Observations: Genesis 3

    B. Hebrews 1:1-2a: overview

    C. Hebrews 1:1-2a: the contrast in view

    D. Hebrews 1:1-2a: the diversity involved

            1. deed revelation and word revelation

            2. epochal

            3. covenantal

    E.  The Cessation of Special Revelation

Part III: Scripture

3.1. Preliminary Remarks

3.2. The Witness of the NT to the OT

    A. 2 Timothy 3:16

    B. 2 Peter 1:19-21

3.3. The Self-Witness of the NT, or the Apostolicity of the NT

    A. The Apostolicity of the NT

    B. The Christological Dimension (apostles as representatives of Christ)

    C. The Ecclesiological Dimension (foundation of the church)

    D. The Revelatory Dimension (witnesses to Christ)

3.4. Aspects of the Doctrine of Scripture

    A. Plenary, Verbal Inspiration

    B. “The Battle for the Bible”

    C. Inspiration and Infallibility (inerrancy)

Part IV: Systematic Theology

4.1. Its Distinguishing Concern: nature

4.2. Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology: method

FINAL EXAM