What is “Systematic Theology”?

We shall introduce the student to the study of theology, and in particular, systematic theology. In general, “theology” is that study in which we aim to know more about God and those truths which He has made known in relationship to Himself, in the Bible. When we speak of “systematic theology”, we mean setting forth, in an orderly way, what we can know about God, or those truths in relationship to Him, foremost from the Bible and then other fields of study. Systematic theology serves the church in sharpening how Christians communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Wayne Grudem defines Systematic Theology as follows: “systematic theology is any study that answers the question, ‘What does the whole Bible teach us today?’ about any given topic.”

What to expect from this course

This course shall be a non-accredited course. This introductory course will take six weeks to complete, introducing the student to the subject of Systematic Theology. Any student (enrolled or audited – see options below) that completes this course will have a beginning awareness of Bible doctrine. All classes for this course will be offered in-person or live stream. The student, upon completing this course, should be able to answer three questions:

1. What is Systematic Theology?
2. How should we study it?
3. Why should Christians study it?

Two options for those taking this course:
1. Enrolled: These are students who have purchased materials and desire to take the class for a grade. This option includes doing homework, taking quizzes and tests.

2. Auditors: These are students who prefer to listen to the sessions but do not want to take quizzes. Auditors may also choose to download a free copy of the older edition of the textbook. Class readings will include page numbers from the older editions for those who want to read.

Vision of these courses:
My aim in offering these types of courses is four-fold:
1. To raise the theological awareness of God’s people. This introductory course is the first in a series of eight courses that will cover every doctrine taught in the Bible. Students who take these courses may select which ones they desire – or to take all eight. All eight
courses will be offered as installments over a period of two years, each averaging 6-14 weeks in length.

2. To raise the spiritual atmosphere in our churches. Titus 2:1 tells us: “But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.” Moreover, Jesus Himself uses the teaching and preaching of sound doctrine from the Bible to cleanse His church, as seen
in Ephesians 5:26-27 “so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”

3. To see churches in awe of God and His Word. Hence, I desire to make available Bible-College/Seminary level material, in an accessible, easy-to-understand way, to anyone who desires to know God and His Word at a deeper level. Such instruction can equip God’s people to serve Him more effectively in the church and in the world.

4. To impact our community. The true test of Christian education is in how well it motivates God’s people for evangelism and discipleship making. My prayer is that our local community, region and State will become more saturated with the Gospel as a result of these courses.