Systematic Theology

Class Schedule | 6:30–8:30 pm

• January 29, 2022

• February 19, 2022

• February 26, 2022

• March 12, 2022

• March 26, 2022

• April 9, 2022

• April 23, 2022

• May 7, 2022

• May 21, 2022

Course Description

“Herein lies the thought that the Christian religion does not exist merely in words, in a doctrine...it is a work of God, in word and fact, which was accomplished in the past, is being worked out in the present, and will be fulfilled in the future. The content of the Christian faith is not a scientific theory, nor a philosophical formula of an explanation of the world, but a recognition and confession of the wonderful works of God, which have been wrought through the ages, cover the whole world, and await their fulfillment in the new heaven and new earth, where righteousness dwells...

If the works of God are viewed by their own light, they naturally compel admiration and worship. Then we see that the Christian faith does not merely convey much to its own favor, but it also displays an internal beauty and, by its inherent truth and glory, commends itself to the consciences of humanity. Then we thank God, not that we must but that we may believe.

Then we realize, to some extent, what our faith gives to our thinking and living. And each in his own tongue, we begin again to declare the wonderful works of God.” —Herman Bavinck

Textbook

The two required textbooks for the class are Herman Bavinck’s The Wonderful Works of God and James Renihan’s To the Judicious and Impartial Reader: Baptist Symbolics Volume 2. Below you will find links to sources where you can obtain copies of the book. 

• Bavinck, Herman. The Wonderful Works of God, Westminster Seminary Press 2019.
  ISBN-13: 978-1733627221
  This textbook can be purchased new or used at the following links:
  Westminster Book Store | AbeBooks | Reformation Heritage Books | Amazon 

• Renihan, James To the Judicious and Impartial Reader: Baptist Symbolics Volume 2, Founders Press 2022.
  ISBN-13: 978-1943539345
  This textbook can be purchased at the following link:
  Founders Press

Course Requirements

1. Class Attendance and Participation. Due to the brevity of our class and the amount of material we must cover, please make all possible arrangements to attend every class and fully participate in the discussions.

2. It is expected that you will have read all of the material with reasonable care and completed the homework, if assigned, before class.

3. A final 4–10 page paper will be completed before the end of the semester. An MLA Report template for download or use in Google Docs can be found here:
   https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html

Systematic Theology Paper

1. Start thinking about this paper early on in the class! Draft a list of possible points of interest and think through them as we work through the various loci in each class and throughout your reading. The sooner you narrow in on a few options for your question / topic, the better your paper will end up. This paper will be presented briefly on the final class day.

2. To begin your paper, you will select a systematic theology question / topic, and your paper will briefly attempt to summarize the question / topic, its importance in the Christian life, how one addresses the question / topic may affect other loci within Systematic Theology, and what you conclude from your Scriptural and extra-biblical research.

   • You will need to focus your topic in order to make 4-10 pages be a useful length. E.g., instead of attempting to address The Descent (a.k.a. Holy Saturday, a.k.a. What did Jesus do on the Saturday between His death and resurrection?) and make it worthwhile in 4-10 pages, focus the topic to something like “John Calvin’s understanding of The Apostle’s Creed and his impact on the Doctrine of the Descent”. 

   • Suggested approach would be to select a doctrinal topic and then investigate how a particular theologian developed a unique articulation or perspective of it, OR to begin with a particular theologian and determine a topic of interest within his/her corpus.

3. How to best structure the paper:

• Introduction: State the thesis of the paper and preview the argument of the paper in the first two paragraphs. To be clear, the thesis of the paper is the conclusion to the question / topic you selected. Explain what methodology you will use to demonstrate your thesis.

• Body of the paper: The purpose of the body of the paper is to prove your thesis. 

1. Examine what possible solutions are available for your question / topic. Briefly identify and explain each of these, who has held / does hold the position today, and the best argument for such a position. This is where your extra-biblical research comes in. All possible solutions should be included in this section, along with the one you support (your thesis).

2. After explaining all the options, support the position you have selected by explaining why you have settled on this position; this is your chance to convince the reader into your camp. Identify and treat objections to your position in the most fair and gracious way possible. Don’t argue against a straw man, but instead argue against the best position your opponents could possibly hold. Your opponents should recognize and affirm their own arguments.

3. In all of your argumentation, attempt to identify and critique (or affirm) the underlying presuppositions and hermeneutical / exegetical underpinnings. You want to get past the fruit of a given position to its root; in other words, you want to get past the matter most immediately at hand and uncover what gives it form and shape.

• Conclusion: In the conclusion, restate your thesis and summarize the sections of your argument for this thesis. Here you get to make one final appeal in different language than utilized to this point in the paper.

4. A resource that further explains this can be found for free from Dr. John Frame here.

Reading Schedule

Below are the assigned chapters from the textbooks that should be read before the corresponding class date. There will be additional source materials sent out via email for various classes. Please have all reading accomplished before the beginning of class so that you are able to fully participate in the discussions.