Introduction to Systematic Theology II

Why Theology Is Important

• If we confuse God’s truth among our opinions, we will never discover who God truly is.
• Our standards will be inside us (feelings), beside us (culture), behind us (tradition), or above us (Scripture).
• It is impossible to love a God we do not know nor follow a Savior if we don’t know where He is heading.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Review of Systematic Theology I

Bibliology – What Is the Bible?

• The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God.
• Our lives will be determined by how much we allow the Scriptures to influence our beliefs and behavior.

Theology – Who Is God?

• God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
• God’s truth regarding Himself is superior to any of our opinions concerning Him.

Anthropology – What Is Mankind?

• Humanity is created in the image of God and intended to bear His likeness.
• Everyone deserves dignity regardless of gender, ethnicity, or ability.

Harmaritology – What Is Sin?

• Sin is our defiant rebellion against God’s standards for our lives.
• It is absolutely necessary for God to punish sin.

Christology – Who Is Christ?

• Jesus is the Long-Awaited Christ that all of history longed for and for which all of Scripture prophesied.
• God provided the only way to salvation through the person and work of Christ.

Overview of Systematic Theology II

Pneumatology – Who Is the Holy Spirit?

• To our detriment, we depersonalize the Holy Spirit to some type of abstract, magical force that some people have more than others.
• The Holy Spirit is the promised Helper essential in the life of a disciple.

Soteriology – What Is Salvation?

• Many people question if we need to be saved and from what we need to be saved.
• Salvation is God’s gift to us – not something we earned from Him.

Ecclesiology – What Is the Church?

• The common tendency is to view a church as a building that houses religious activities.
• The Church is the people of God walking in the presence of God for the purposes of God.

Eschatology – What Will Happen in the End Times?

• In times of escalating conflict, many people are anxious about what is to come.
• While some details are unclear and debated, Scripture tells us what we need to know about the return of Jesus.