Systematic Faith
For the past few weeks, I have used my nighttime devotions to review the doctrines of the faith in the format of systematic theology. Some of you may not understand these terms and are not clear what we mean by systematic. Do not feel too bad about not knowing this technical term because you are not alone. I remember speaking to a pastor at the Shepherd’s Conference a few years ago who was making his first trip to this type of conference. As we discussed the differences between the Shepherd’s Conference and the typical conferences he regularly attended, I mentioned that the Shepherd’s was far more beneficial to me because of their commitment to systematic theology fit my method of preaching. He looked at me strangely and said, “What is systematic theology?” If you do not know the meaning, you have plenty of company.
Before I answer this question, it is necessary to understand the meaning of theology. A simple definition requires breaking the word down into its two Greek roots which are theos meaning “God” and logos meaning “word.” Often you hear me say that Jesus Christ is the divine living logos, which means the divine living word. The written word of God is the Bible, and it is from the Bible that we derive systematic theology or the organization of the teachings of the Bible into similar themes. For example, sections of systematic theology would include such topics as the Trinity, the doctrine of Christ (Christology), the doctrine of man (Anthropology), the doctrine of the church (Ecclesiology) and one that for many people is the most popular, the doctrine of the end times (Eschatology). A systematic theology divides each of these into subtopics that describe the various aspects of the category. There are more than I have mentioned, but these help you understand that systematic theology is not complicated in concept but only involves gathering doctrinal topics from the Bible and organizing them into their shared areas of study.
Most Bible students will readily recognize the advantages of this type of study because in the process we learn the entirety of the Bible on its many subjects. We learn how these many different topics mix and complement each other and blend into the whole picture of God’s relationship with man and how He works in His entire creation. As we study the word of God this way, we learn the complete Christian faith and the complexity of it.
Although you might not recognize the term, members of this church most certainly recognize that systematic theology is our method. For years we have broken down the doctrines of the faith into preaching series and even in our verse-by-verse expositions of the Bible I separate the doctrines encountered as we go through each chapter and explain what these doctrines mean in the context of each narrative and their relationship to other parts of the word of God. When you hear me call out scriptures that take us back and forth across the pages of the Bible, you are hearing the unfolding of the doctrines of the faith.
One of the blessed advantages of studying the Bible this way is to reach a better understanding of our God. Many Christians are content to know they are on the way to heaven but are not too much concerned about the intricacies of God’s marvelous plan for getting them there. This is not my time to preach, but at least you should be pleased to know that from here to eternity God marked a path to follow and whether you understand every detail, He will not fail to accomplish the completion of the journey for your good and His glory.
Pastor V. Mark Smith