Systematic Theology - The NTSLibrary

1 Systematic THEOLOGYV incent CheungCopyright 2001, 2003 by Vincent Cheung. All rights by Reformation Ministries InternationalPO Box 15662, Boston, MA 02215, USAU nless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEWINTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International BibleSociety. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights TO 2003 EDITION .. 31. 4 THE NATURE OF 4 THE POSSIBILITY OF Theology .. 5 THE NECESSITY OF Theology .. 82. SCRIPTURE .. 12 THE NATURE OF 12 THE INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE ..14 THE UNITY OF 17 THE INFALLIBILITY OF SCRIPTURE .. 20 THE AUTHORITY OF NECESSITY OF SCRIPTURE ..22 THE CLARITY OF 23 THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE .. 253.

2 27 THE EXISTENCE OF GOD .. 27 THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD .. 43 THE WORKS OF GOD .. 894. MAN .. 97 THE CREATION OF MAN .. 97 THE NATURE OF MAN .. 103 THE FALL OF MAN .. 1185. 125 THE PERSON OF CHRIST .. 125 THE LIFE OF 128 THE WORK OF CHRIST .. 130 THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST ..1456. SALVATION .. 161 ELECTED .. 161 SUMMONED .. 187 REGENERATED .. 188 CONVERTED .. 189 JUSTIFIED .. 194 ADOPTED .. 198 SANCTIFIED .. 201 PRESERVED .. 2033 PREFACE TO 2003 EDITIONThe most important task a Christian can perform at any stage of his spiritual developmentis to study Systematic Theology . This may sound extreme to the anti-intellectual mindsetof popular Christianity, but it is a necessary conclusion derived from the nature oftheology.

3 Theological study possesses intrinsic value, and it is the precondition of everyChristian concept and activity. For example, it is the intellectual enterprise of theologythat governs the object and mode of prayer, defines the reason and manner of worship,and formulates the message and strategy for consider this book an adequate text for the beginning reader. Perhaps some will evenfind it challenging. But being an introduction, it cannot include everything important to acomprehensive understanding of Theology . And since its primary purpose is to provide apositive construction or statement of biblical doctrines, the emphasis is not on reader should pursue my other writings for more detailed discussions on the topicsmentioned in the following book emphasizes the interrelatedness of biblical doctrines, and arranges them in alogical progression from the epistemological precondition of a worldview to thepreservation of the believer.

4 The three central motifs of this book are the infallibility ofScripture, the sovereignty of God, and the centrality of the mind. Some of my otherworks offer additional explanation and defense of these biblical pillars of the Christiansystem. Especially relevant is my book, Ultimate Questions, which serves well as acompanion text to Systematic Theology by giving biblical answers to the questions ofepistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and soteriology. Whereas Systematic Theology is anoutline of Christian Theology , Ultimate Questions is an outline of Christian philosophyand THEOLOGYT heological reflection is the most important activity a human being can perform.

5 Thisstatement may astonish some readers, but an explanation of the meaning and implicationsof the theological enterprise should provide justification for such a claim. We willconsider the nature, possibility, and necessity of this field of study in the next NATURE OF THEOLOGYThe word Theology refers to the study of God. When used in a broader sense, the wordmay include all the other doctrines revealed in Scripture. Now, God is the supreme beingwho has created and even now sustains all that exists, and Theology seeks to understandand articulate in a Systematic manner information revealed to us by him. Thus, theologyconcerns itself with ultimate reality. Since it is the study of the ultimate, nothing is moreimportant.

6 Because it contemplates and discusses the ultimate, it in turn defines andgoverns every area of life and thought. Therefore, as long as God is the ultimate being orreality, theological reflection is the ultimate human book is a presentation of several major biblical doctrines that come under the studyof Systematic Theology . A doctrine consists of a set of propositions relating to a certaintheological topic it is the biblical teaching on a given subject. Theology then refers tothe study of Scripture or the Systematic formulation of doctrines from Scripture. A trulybiblical doctrine is always authoritative and binding, and a system of Theology isauthoritative only to the extent that it reflects the teaching of warn against studying Theology for its own sake.

7 The anti-intellectual spirit of theage has so infiltrated the church that they refuse to believe that any intellectual activitypossesses intrinsic value. To them, even knowing God must serve a greater purpose,probably a pragmatic or ethical one. Although the knowledge of God ought to affect one'sconduct, it is nevertheless a mistake to think that the intellectual enterprise of theologyserves a purpose that is greater than itself. Christians should affirm that since to studytheology is to know God, and knowing God is the highest purpose of man, theologytherefore possesses intrinsic value. Jeremiah 9:23-24 says:This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of hiswisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich manboast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that heunderstands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exerciseskindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,"declares the is no higher purpose for which the knowledge of God intends to reach, and there isno higher purpose for man but to know God.

8 Theological knowledge produces moral5demands and other effects in one's life, but these are not higher purposes than thetheological task of knowing the verbal revelation of POSSIBILITY OF THEOLOGYA prerequisite to constructing a theological system is to establish that theologicalknowledge is possible. Jesus says that "God is Spirit" (John 4:24); he transcends thespatio-temporal existence of man. The question then arises as to how human beings mayknow anything about him. Deuteronomy 29:29 has the answer:The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the thingsrevealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we mayfollow all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29) Theology is possible because God has revealed himself to us through the words of has revealed his existence, attributes, and moral demands to every human being byincluding such information within the mind of man.

9 The very structure of the humanmind includes some knowledge about God. This innate knowledge in turn causes man torecognize creation as the work of a creator. The grandeur, magnitude, and complexdesign of nature serve to remind man of his innate knowledge about heavens are declaring the glory of God, The vast expansedisplays his handiwork. Day after day they "pour forth speech";Night after night they display knowledge. They have no speech,there are no words; No sound is heard from them. Their "voice"goes out into all the earth, Their words to the ends of the world.(Psalm 19:1-3)1 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all thegodlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by theirwickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them,because God has made it plain to them.

10 For since the creation ofthe world God's invisible qualities his eternal power and divinenature have been clearly seen, being understood from what hasbeen made, so that men are without excuse. For although theyknew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks tohim, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts weredarkened. (Romans 1:18-21)2 1 Robert L. Reymond, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith; Nashville, Tennessee: ThomasNelson, Inc.; p. 396. The NIV reads, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work ofhis hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.