Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine

by Wayne Grudem

new sections on the differences between evangelical Protestant theology and Protestant theological liberalism

Mormonism

and Roman Cat...

additional discussion of specific “problem verses” for biblical inerrancy

a more extensive critique of open theism

a critique of the preterist view that Christ has already returned in AD 70

(3) I now think that the scientific evidence in favor of an old earth (4.5 billion years) and an old universe (13.8 billion years) has become overwhelming, with the result that I now advocate an old earth position, though I still believe that both old earth and young earth viewpoints are valid for Christian leaders to hold today

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory” (Ps. 115:1). WAYNE GRUDEM Phoenix Seminary

I have written it for students—and not only for students, but also for every Christian who has a hunger to know the central doctrines of the Bible in greater depth.

1. A Clear Biblical Basis for Doctrines.

2. Clarity in the Explanation of Doctrines.

I hold to a conservative view of biblical inerrancy,

a traditional Reformed position with regard to questions of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility

Consistent with the Reformed view, I hold that those who are truly born again will never lose their salvation

With regard to male-female relationships, I argue for a view that is neither traditional nor feminist, but “complementarian”—namely, that God created man and woman equal in value and personhood, and equal in bearing his image,

I argue for a baptistic view of baptism, namely, that those who give a believable profession of personal faith should be baptized

I believe that Christ’s second coming could occur any day, that it will be premillennial—that is, that it will mark the beginning of his thousand-year reign of perfect peace on the earth—but that it will be posttribulational—that is, that many Christians will go through the great tribulation

(If I have failed to represent an opposing view accurately I would appreciate a letter from anyone who holds that view,

3. Application to Life.

4. Focus on the Evangelical World.

I do not think that a true system of theology can be constructed from within what we may call the “liberal” theological tradition—that is, by people who deny the absolute truthfulness of the Bible, or who do not think the words of the Bible to be God’s very words

5. Hope for Progress in Doctrinal Unity in the Church.

in this book I have not hesitated to raise again some of the old differences (over baptism, the Lord’s Supper, church government, the millennium and the tribulation, and predestination, for example) in the hope that, in some cases at least, a fresh look at Scripture may provoke a new examination of these doctrines and may perhaps prompt some movement not just toward greater understanding and tolerance of other viewpoints, but even toward greater doctrinal consensus

6. A Sense of the Urgent Need for Greater Doctrinal Understanding in the Whole Church.

WAYNE GRUDEM Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Systematic Theology

systematic theology is any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic.

systematic theology involves collecting and understanding all the relevant passages in the Bible on various topics and then summarizing their teachings clearly so that we know what to believe about each topic.

1. Relationship to Other Disciplines

the emphasis of this book will not be on

historical theology2 (a historical study of how Christians in different periods have understood various theological topics)

philosophical theology (studying theological topics largely without use of the Bible, but using the tools and methods of philosophical reasoning and what can be ...

apologetics (providing a defense of the truthfulness of the Christian faith for the purpose ...

biblical theology traces the historical development of a doctrine and the way one’s place in that historical development affects one’s understanding and application of that particular doctrine.

the focus of systematic theology remains different: its focus is on the collection and then the summary of the teaching of all the biblical passages on a particular subject.

It attempts to summarize the teaching of Scripture in a brief, understandable, and very carefully formulated statement.

2. Application to Life

3. Systematic Theology and Disorganized Theology: The Key Differences

“The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the only way to God.” “The Bible says that Jesus is coming again.” These are all summaries of what Scripture says, and as such, they are systematic-theological statements.

the adjective systematic in systematic theology should be understood to mean something like “carefully organized by topics,” with the understanding that the topics studied will be seen to fit together in a consistent way, and will include all the major doctrinal topics of the Bible.

good theological analysis must find and treat fairly all the relevant Bible passages for each particular topic, not just some or a few of the relevant passages.

4. Beliefs Must Be Based on Scripture, Not Human Authorities or Traditions

doctrine is what the whole Bible teaches us today about some particular topic.

seven major doctrines: Part 1: The Doctrine of the Word of God Part 2: The Doctrine of God Part 3: The Doctrine of Man in the Image of God Part 4: The Doctrines of Christ and the Holy Spirit Part 5: The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption Part 6: The Doctrine of the Church Part 7: The Doctrine of the Future

the emphasis in Christian ethics is on what God wants us to do and what attitudes he wants us to have.

theology tells us what we should believe while ethics tells us how we should live.

for a thorough treatment of Christian ethics, see my companion book, Christian Ethics: An Introduction to Biblical Moral Reasoning.

We begin with two assumptions or presuppositions: (1) the Bible is true and is, in fact, our only absolute standard of truth, and (2) the God who is spoken of in the Bible exists, and he is who the Bible says he is—the Creator of heaven and earth and all things in them.

The task of fulfilling the Great Commission includes therefore not only evangelism but also teaching.

major doctrine is one that has a significant impact on our thinking about other doctrines, or that has a significant impact on how we live the Christian life.