Systematic Theology I
This is the first of a two semester class on systematic theology. The main subjects covered are an explanation of and rationalization for systematic theology, description of some of the major protestant theological systems, and the doctrines of scripture, God, humanity and sin.
| 1. Prolegommena |
An introduction to theology, answering the questions of what is EST (Evangelical Systematic Theology), why study EST, and how it relates to other theological disciplines. |
| 2. Method of Evangelical Theology |
Introductory issues of how to do EST and the criteria for assessing theological formulations. |
| 3. Cultural Contextualization; Theological Systems |
Issues of cultural Christianity, and the evangelical position of "contextualized normativity." |
| 4. Calvinism and Arminianism |
Begins with a discussion of the background to the discussion (Pelagius, Augustine, Council of Carthage, and semi-Pelagianism), and then a discussion of Luther, Calvin, Arminius, the Synod of Dort and the Five Points of Calvinism. |
| 5. Covenant Theology |
Covenant Theology, Dispensationalism, and their views of Israel and the church |
| 6. Liberalism, Neo Orthodoxy, Evangelicalism |
A discussion of these three positions and the key figures in each (Schleiermacher, Ritschl, von Harnack; Barth, Brunner, Niebuhr; Carnell, Henry, Graham) |
| 7. Doctrine of Scripture |
The beginning discussion of revelation and the specifics of General Revelation |
| 8. Special Revelation; Inspiration |
A continuation of the discussion of revelation with an emphasis on Special Revelation, moving into the topic of Inspiration (definition and key passages). |
| 9. Inerrancy |
A survey of the recent debate, defining inerrancy (including the relationship of hermeneutics and inerrancy), and its relationship to authority. |
| 10. Illumination; Canonicity |
The definition of illumination, why it is necessary, and how we come to know truth. The critceria for canonicity is then discussed and why the canon is now closed (i.e., why no more books would be accepted into the Bible). |
| 11. Theism; Proof of God's existence |
Why there is a need to know God, and "theism" (arguments as to whether there is a God or not). |
| 12. Knowledge of God; the Trinity |
Can God be known? The Doctrine of the Trinity (Scriptural basis; historical background; Monarchian heresies) |
| 13. The Trinity |
Continuation of the discussion of the Trinity and the church's rejection of Monarchianism |
| 14. Attributes of God |
Beginning of the discussion of the attributes of God's character, and how the discussion is organized. |
| 15. Attributes of God: love, self-sufficiency |
The related doctrines of God's self-sufficiency and his love. (The lecture begins in the middle of a sentence but not much content is missing. Point V., subpoints 1 and 2 were covered in lecture 14. See Outline tab.) |
| 16. Attributes of God: incommunicable |
God's incommunicable attributes are those that he does not share with us: self-existence; self-sufficiency; infinity; omnipresence; eternity |
| 17. Attributes of God: incommunicable |
Completes the discussion of God's incommunicable attributes by discussing immutability, the doctrine that God does not change. |
| 18. Attributes of God: communicable |
Discussion of those attributes of God's character that he shares (to some degee) with his creation, beginning with his intellectual attributes (omniscience). |
| 19. Attributes of God: communicable |
A continuing discussion of God communicable attributes, both intellectual (Omnisapience; truth) and moral (goodness; love). |
| 20. Attributes of God: communicable |
Continuation of the discussion of God's communicable moral attributes (love, grace, mercy; holiness, righteousness, justice) and the attributes of God's rulership (freedom; omnipotence). |
| 21. Sovereignty of God: lecture one |
The Scriptural teaching and issues related to this central question |
| 22. Sovereignty of God: lecture two |
Hyper-Calvinism, Process Theology, Arminianism, and Calvinism |
| 23. Sovereignty of God: lecture three |
Concluding discussion on Calvinism |
| 24. Angels |
We do not have a recording of this lecture, but Dr. Ware gave us a detailed discussion of the lectures that you can download as a pdf document. You may click on the "Handouts" link on the lecture page to download the document. |
| 25. Introduction and Human Origins |
An introduction to the doctrine of humanity and the doctrine of humanity's origin (Adam and Eve) |
| 26. Human nature and the soul |
Theories on the structure of the human soul (Monism, Dichotomy, Trichotomy) and the transmission of the soul (Creationism, Traducianism). |
| 27. Doctrine of Sin |
Sin is one of the most foundational and significant topics in Scripture. The doctrines of salvation and sanctification are meaningless without an accurate understanding of sin. The Old Testament teaches both the personal and corporate aspects of sin. New Testament teachings include the essence of sin and total depravity. |
| 28. Original Sin |
The facets of the Fall, theories of Original Sin, and God's triumph over sin |
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