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Tom Online Content OP
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I am interested in discussing the differences between systematic theology and biblical theology.
In particular which way we should approach theology, whether both should be used or not.

Recently a pastor said to me that biblical theology should always take priority over systematic theology. I wanted to ask him to elaborate on that, but we ran out of time to discuss this further.
One thing that I have noticed since embracing Reformed theology is that systematic theology is the most mentioned. In fact I hardly ever hear biblical theology talked about.

I personally have done a fair amount of reading about systematic theology, but I don't have anything on biblical theology, so I am not even all that sure I know what biblical theology is.
Any information on what biblical theology is would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance
Tom

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Recently a pastor said to me that biblical theology should always take priority over systematic theology.
BT and ST compliment one another and one should not be exalted above the other. To sacrifice either is to do the text and its interpretation injustice. One cannot exist without the other. As far as individuals of the Reformed faith not emphasizing BT <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratch1.gif" alt="" />. It may assist us to understand what ST and BT each teach:

“Systematic theology” is any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic. This definition indicates that systematic theology involves collecting and understanding all the relevant passages in the Bible on various topics and then summarizing their teachings clearly so that we know what to believe about each topic. … “Biblical theology” has a technical meaning in theological studies. It is the larger category that contains both Old Testament theology and New Testament theology. Biblical theology gives special attention to the teachings of individual authors and sections of Scripture, and to the place of each teaching in the historical development of Scripture (Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology : An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 1994, 21.). Geerhardus Vos, the father of Reformed Biblical Theology, provides the best definition: "Biblical theology is nothing else than the exhibition of the organic progress of supernatural revelation in its historic continuity and multiformity." ("The Idea of Biblical Theology As a Science and As a Theological Disciple," Redemptive History and Biblical Interpretation (R. Gaffin, ed.; Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 1980, 15).

Here is a link to BT/ST. Most seminaries today of the Reformed Tradition teach BT and ST. I highly recommend Biblical Theology by Geerhardus Vos. Of course, WTS Bookstore has several BT volumes.


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Dear brother Tom,

I believe that the "Threshold" or www.monergism.com will be a great help to you. I would encourage you to take a look at both these links.

Systematic Theology

and Biblical Theology

For more info on "the father" of Biblical Theology you might want to check out biblicaltheology.org

Richard L. Pratt has a couple of video series that look interesting that are focused on biblical and covenantal theology of the Old Testament. He Gave us Prophets and Kingdom, Covenants and Canon of the OT.

For a layman such as myself, the basic difference between these two branches of theology lay in their function. Systematic Theology for me is an organized layout of biblical doctrine that I can quickly goto and find what doctrinal topic that I need to read about. Even though it has been suggested and recommended here on this forum to read through a systematic, fore myself I use it mostly as a study tool. Although It certainly is very readable from cover to cover. But it is as it's name suggests a systematic way of presenting biblical truth. If you want to look at some books about systematic theology go here. Systematic Theology Books.

Now as far as Biblical Theology for me, it's focus is on the redemptive history of the Bible. It starts with Genesis and goes through the Old Testament and then the NT and explains and presents Christ. It is very Christ centered or Christocentric. I strongly recommend to everyone to consider reading According to Plan The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible. An introduction to Biblical Theology by Graeme Goldsworthy. This is a very readable book and in my opinion keeps you captivated throughout it's entirety. If after reading this book that you find yourself becoming very interested in Biblical Theology, I would recommend getting Biblical Theology by Geerhardus Vos. But just as a warning to all the laity out there, this is a tough one. I'm still struggling through it. Vos was a genius along with Van Til and their writing is intense. But edifying. You can check out more Biblical Theology books here. Biblical Theology Books.

When I first started to get interested in the bible, my first step was to start attending a weekly bible study. Unfortunately for myself the two main elders who conducted the bible study were Arminian and Charismatic. They had much zeal for the Lord though and I still remain good friends with both of them. I attended that weekly bible study for almost two years. We went through allot of the New Testament. But through it all, there were too many questions that were being left unanswered for me. When I asked them for extra-biblical aid they would just tell me that the Bible was where my focus should be on. That it takes a very long time for people to understand the bible so that what I was experiencing wasn't anything strange or new. But after awhile I started to see weaknesses in their theology and doctrine. I started to recognize that what was being preached by them wasn't making much sense in light of the Scripture we were studying. The church I attended didn't have any idea about reformed teaching. So after much searching on my own I was able to educate myself in the reformed faith. As I started to read and explore Biblical and Systematic theology a whole new truth was revealed to me that started to connect the pieces. I finally started really feel comfortable with the whole of Scripture. It's message too me started to become less confusing and my faith started to become much more stronger. Biblical Theology for me turns the whole Bible into God's redemptive plan and plants me firm at the foot of the Cross. Christ becomes the focus through and through and it's a beautiful, beautiful thing.

I hope this all helps.

Y.B.I.C,

Dave.


Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. - Galatians 2:16
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Apparently what the pastor meant by Biblical Theology should take priority over Systematic Theology is that Biblical Theology deals with the whole pie, while Systematic Theology only deals with the ingredients, how it is put together, what temperature it is baked at etc.
Thus, according to him since Biblical Theology is the big picture, Systematic Theology flows from our understanding of that big picture (Biblical Theology).
For him Biblical Theology acts as accountability to when he is studying Systematic Theology.
Has he got a correct understanding of the issues? He tells me that when he was in Seminary, he hounded his profs with issues such as this one, so he not naive of the issues.

Tom

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Well Tom, I think your pastor friend has not got it right. I reject his description of "Systematic Theology" and its alleged subservience to "Biblical Theology". They are two distinct disciplines yet complementary and indispensable to a right understanding of the Scriptures. If you want to make a distinction between the two, you might say that Biblical Theology is the history of redemption and Systematic Theology is the encyclopedia that sets forth the definitions of the "players" and how that redemption is accomplished in detail.

So, it's good and necessary to have the "big picture", but it is no less good and necessary to understand the details of it.

In His grace,


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To help me understand the issue a little bit better, I wonder if you would explain in a little more detail why you reject my pastor friends understanding of the issue.

Just so you don't misunderstand, he studies Systematic Theology, in fact according to him almost all of his theology books stem from a systematic point of view.
He believes both Biblical and Systematic Theology do compliment one another, but for him one of them must come first, for the other was born out of the first; Systematics flow out of and support Biblical theology.
Is there perhaps something in what I have told you about his views, which might uncover where his misunderstanding occurs?
I do know that he is quite young, having just finished his degree in the last year.

I will tell you one thing, after studying this issue in the past while although I have learned a lot; I feel I am only scratching the surface.

Tom

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Tom,

I really don't know what more I can say other than what I have already?? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" /> I do NOT believe that one must "come first" nor that "Systematics flows out of Biblical Theology". Again, these are mutually exclusive disciplines but inseparable. My guess is that some professor at the seminary where he studied taught what he is espousing in regard to the subordinate relationship between the two. One could also add to them Historical Dogmatic Theology, although this discipline is not as important as the other two.

You originally asked what anyone thought of his view and I replied. If you are wanting to defend his view as correct, then please provide a salient and cogent argument for it. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/evilgrin.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,


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Sorry if I made it look like I was defending his views, I wasn't trying to defend his views at all, in fact I think he is in error.
But my knowledge of the issues involved is not good enough to know for sure.

Tom

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Tom,

It's like trying to compare apples and oranges. They are both fruit but it would be foolish to try and assert that one was superior to the other. One's taste might prefer one over the other, but that has nothing to do with either's inherent quality or the benefits to be derived from them. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Only in the case of these two disciplines, one would miss out on much and remiss if one was ignored. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

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With all due respect to the Head Honcho, I disagree. When Calvin set out to teach he wrote his Commentaries "Brevitas et Simplicitas". At the same time he also wrote his "Institutes of the Christian Religion". They were meant to complement each other. The reason why he separated them was that other Reformers like Bullinger (or was it Bucer?) tended to be "long winded" they would write their Commentaries on the Biblical books and then have lengthy asides to explain points of doctrine, dogma, theology etc. It got so that people were lost in the details.
Unfortunately, the well meant efforts of those like Geerhardus Vos to write Biblical Theologies were twisted by the later Biblical Theology movement which decried the writing, purpose and usefulness of Systematic Theologies. They created a false dichotomy between Systematic and Biblical theology. Both are intertwined and support each other in the proclamation of God's Glory in His self-revelatory Word. I would go even further to state that the third leg in this three legged stool is Historical/Dogmatic Theology. Here we can find and trace the development of the Church's theology and exegesis. Heresy and orthodoxy are revealed and perhaps lessons are learned and so the old heresies are not dug up, renamed, and presented to the body of Christ like it was some new discovery found with a more enlightened exegetical approach unencumbered by the grid imposed by the old "scholasticism" of say the Westminster Standards!
Having said all of this, though, it has always been held by the orthodox that Scripture has priority and is infallible regardless of our efforts to fully understand it and thus write Biblical and Systematic theologies. The latter two are the fallible productions of sinful and fallible men. That is why we continue to study God's Word and write systematic or narrative descriptions of His revelation to mankind in time. Unfortunately, this age suffers from an arrogance that does not comprehend and give due respect to, and dilligent study of, what went before. Many somehow think, that they can reinvent the wheel and dismiss the past work of the Holy Spirit in guiding the Body of Christ through the centuries.

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ParaReformed said:
With all due respect to the Head Honcho, I disagree. . . . etc.
[Linked Image] Better reread all that I actually wrote because it is nearly the same as which you stated. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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With respect, I don't think, that it is like trying to compare apples and oranges. It is like a blind man feeling the various parts of an elephant and coming up with different perspectives and descriptions of what he has felt! The danger is in trying to distinguish between them too much. Look at Calvin's Institutes -not what would be described as a Systematic Theology by latter standards. Look at Turretin's Elenctic Theology, not fully Systematic by the standards imposed later on. Look at any Christian Dogmatics by the Lutherans and Dutch Calvinist Theologians. Not very clear cut is it? Even Biblical Theologies have a systematic outline to them. The human mind lends itself to coherence and order and so even narrative descriptions are systematic as God's revelation is systematic.

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Okay, so you want to nitpick eh? Theological studies have progressed over time and thus I think your reference to former theological texts is inapplicable. The later development of Systematic Theology, I believe, was a good one and certainly justifiable, e.g., C. Hodge, W.G.T. Shedd, Strong, Berkhof, et al. As I clearly stated in my replies to Tom, the two disciplines are exclusive yet inseparable as each contributes to the other. Most people can read Biblical Theology, by G. Vos and then read Systematic Theology, by L. Berkhof and see a marked difference. Yet both are dependent upon the other discipline. The fact that both have a "systematic outline" is due to the fact that any study of God's written Word must of necessity be logical and orderly, since the Living God has so expressed Himself. As I also stated, one would be remiss not to study Systematic Theology, Biblical Theology and Historical Theology, since they are but parts of the whole; i.e., the study of the revelation of God and the Holy Spirit's providential development of it.

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Just because I disagree with you as to emphasis does not give you the right to accuse me of being nitpicky. My reference to earlier texts is not inapplicable simply because I believe they were the foundational approaches that latter theologians like Hodge, Shedd, Strong, Berkhof et al adopted and built upon. It is the foundational approaches that give us insight that is lost on the so-called good and justifialbe 19th Century attempts. Remember my statement about the arrogance of every new generation? The second part of your response is simply a restatement of my post above. At least now you see it the way I do. If you want to adopt a superior tone toward me go ahead, after all you are the "head honcho".

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ParaReformed,

Goodness..... you sure are a "touchy" individual, aren't you!?!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/drop.gif" alt="" />

Now let's see.. how about if I defer to one Lee Irons who wrote an excellent paper on: Biblical and Systematic Theology: A Digest of Reformed Opinion on Their Proper Relationship.

In His grace,


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