I think we all know that Scripture is directly from God--it is His Word to us. Therefore, it has complete authority in our lives above anything else. It is to be exalted to the highest priority in our lives because it is the Creator speaking directly to us. It should command our attention, devotion and obedience.
Most of the writers of the books of the Bible made statements like "Thus saith the Lord" or "what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord." Titus 1:2 and Numbers 23:19 says that God never lies and Jesus said that "Your Word is truth." John 17:17. Peter says that 'men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." We are to live by every Word from the mouth of God (Matt 4:4) and Moses writes that the Words of God are not idle words; they are our very lives (Deut 32).
Therefore, our duty is to read, study and immerse ourselves in God's Word and then seek to apply it diligently in our lives. To not do this is to neglect what God would have us to do. The goal of the Christian life is to bear fruit and grow in grace and knowlege of God and bring glory to Him (Colossians 1); we can't do this apart from God's authoritative truth.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Chapter 3--The Canon of Scripture
Chuck already posted some thoughts about the Canon, and the article Jon posted was great. Since we have been discussing why to study and grow in the Lord, and a little about how God speaks to us, we should spend some time digging into the Canon. Like the article from leaderu said, most people do not know how to defend the canon of Scripture from attacks from other religions or worldviews. I think its clear in Scripture that we have faith combined with reason, though reason is always subservient to faith (the problem in the Catholic church is that they have this backwards). There are exhortations in Scripture for us to use reason and to seek wisdom from God at all times. The parables of Christ were founded squarely on logic and reason, and often times He used human reason to turn the Pharisees back on their own arguments. So I think as Christians commanded to always be ready, in and out of season to explain why we believe what we believe, we need to be able to make a case for why we believe in the inerrancy and completeness of the Canon--the Word of God.
This chapter is a little longer but full of great information on how we received the Canon. We should approach this chapter with the goal of being able to make a very short, concise statement on why we accept the Bible as God's inerrant Word. And then have resources for further developments of this argument if needed. The chapter has some references to some books that look really good, and I would love to see any other links you all might know of like the one Jon sent out.
This chapter is a little longer but full of great information on how we received the Canon. We should approach this chapter with the goal of being able to make a very short, concise statement on why we accept the Bible as God's inerrant Word. And then have resources for further developments of this argument if needed. The chapter has some references to some books that look really good, and I would love to see any other links you all might know of like the one Jon sent out.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Chapter 2--The Word of God
This chapter is very short and deals with the different in way in which God speaks to us. It is a great lead-in to the next chapter, which is on the Canon of Scripture.
The book of John describes the Word as God and as Christ. So God speaks to us in the person of Jesus Christ. God also speaks through direct decrees, words of personal address to man, and through His prophets who recorded His words. The Bible is a collection of all of these types of ways in which God speaks to us.
God has rarely spoken directly to anyone; as humans we could hardly bear it. When God spoke directly to the Israelites the pleaded with Him to stop because they could not bear his Holiness. At the end of the day we have to take on faith what God has given us and trust that the Bible is His Word to us.
So what is the Word of God? How do we know it is from God and that it is true? Would we be more willing to obey God if He spoke directly to us, and why doesn't He do that?
The book of John describes the Word as God and as Christ. So God speaks to us in the person of Jesus Christ. God also speaks through direct decrees, words of personal address to man, and through His prophets who recorded His words. The Bible is a collection of all of these types of ways in which God speaks to us.
God has rarely spoken directly to anyone; as humans we could hardly bear it. When God spoke directly to the Israelites the pleaded with Him to stop because they could not bear his Holiness. At the end of the day we have to take on faith what God has given us and trust that the Bible is His Word to us.
So what is the Word of God? How do we know it is from God and that it is true? Would we be more willing to obey God if He spoke directly to us, and why doesn't He do that?
Chapter 1--Overview of Systematic Theology
We are implored and commanded by God to grow in our faith and knowledge. Additionally, the Word of God must be central to our lives--not an afterthought or a giving to God of the leftovers of our time. He must be central, and get the first and best of what we have which includes our time. I would argue that it takes much more discipline to spend effective time with God that it does to give generously of our financial resources. There are so many things vying for our time and before you know it the day is over and we are exhausted at night and don't have much to give God at that time. This is why the study of Theology is so important--it brings us face to face with God and what He commands. Additionally we are strengthened by the spirit and we grow in knowledge and love for God the more time we spend with Him. Lastly, we are more equipped to defend our faith and reach the nations with the Gospel as God directs us.
Here are some verses that show why study of ST and the Bible is important:
1) These are not just idle words; they are your very life. (Deut 32: 47)
2) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Col. 2: 6-8)
3) I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (Psalm 119:16)
4) And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...(Col 1:10)
5) But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Pet 3:15)
6) Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Tim 4:2)
7) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...(Matt. 28: 19)
8) Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops (Prov 3:9)
What other verses or thoughts do you have on the study of ST and of the Bible in general?
Here are some verses that show why study of ST and the Bible is important:
1) These are not just idle words; they are your very life. (Deut 32: 47)
2) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Col. 2: 6-8)
3) I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (Psalm 119:16)
4) And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...(Col 1:10)
5) But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Pet 3:15)
6) Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Tim 4:2)
7) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...(Matt. 28: 19)
8) Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops (Prov 3:9)
What other verses or thoughts do you have on the study of ST and of the Bible in general?
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Systematic Theology Study 2008
Welcome to the online forum for study and discussion of Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology...I look forward to hearing your thoughts and insights as we seek to become deeper and stronger men of God.
We will start our study next week on Monday, December 31st. Each week will run Monday through Sunday. At this pace we will almost complete the book during the course of the year. At the end of each chapter there are summary questions to answer. We should all post our answers to these questions to the blog by Wednesday of the week of study and spend the remainder of the week in discussion/debate and further exploration of the topic.
Email or call me if anyone has questions about navigating the site (512-663-2423).
Drew
We will start our study next week on Monday, December 31st. Each week will run Monday through Sunday. At this pace we will almost complete the book during the course of the year. At the end of each chapter there are summary questions to answer. We should all post our answers to these questions to the blog by Wednesday of the week of study and spend the remainder of the week in discussion/debate and further exploration of the topic.
Email or call me if anyone has questions about navigating the site (512-663-2423).
Drew
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