Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine

by Wayne Grudem

Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic.1

It is of utmost importance therefore that each person beginning such a course firmly resolve in his or her own mind to abandon as false any idea which is found to be clearly contradicted by the teaching of Scripture. But it is also very important for each person to resolve not to believe any individual doctrine simply because this textbook or some other textbook or teacher says that it is true, unless this book or the instructor in a course can convince the student from the text of Scripture itself.

Jesus quotes and references Old Testament Scripture, inherently affirming its authority as the written Word of God

Furthermore, even if we did hear some words of personal address from God to ourselves today, we would not have certainty that our understanding of it, our memory of it, and our subsequent report of it was wholly accurate. Nor would we be readily able to convey to others the certainty that the communication was from God, even if it was. God’s words as spoken through human lips ceased to be given when the New Testament canon was completed.2 Thus, these other forms of God’s words are inadequate as a primary basis for study in theology.