Systematic or Biblical Theology?

[Greektim]

Which one is more important?

Which one takes precedent over the other?

Which one do you rely on most when teaching doctrine?

 

[Tom Bryant]

Which one is more important?

Which one takes precedent over the other?

Which one do you rely on most when teaching doctrine?

I guess you need to define what you are meaning by Biblical as opposed to Systematic theology.

I am not sure that you can make a difference because systematic theology is, according to the one systematizing it , Biblical theology.

Obviously if statements from the Bible contradict someone's systematic theology, you must take the Bible's statement.

Because I preach expositionally, any theological statements come out of the text, but there have been times that I have done a topical, systematic theology study.

 

[Allan]

Which one is more important?

Which one takes precedent over the other?

Which one do you rely on most when teaching doctrine?

Ones theology should 'not' dictate scriptural interpretation.

Thus depending on how you are defining 'Biblical' Theology, I would state Biblical over Systematic.. but again, depending on what you mean by 'Systematic' ..

 

[Jim1999]

They are two different courses of study in seminary. Biblical theology concerns itself with biblical truth including historicity of the text, culture, author, dating, circumstances, It includes God's action and interaction with creation.

Systematic theology is the study of God in relation to creation, redemption, interaction, development of doctrine, all based on scripture.

Two dfferent approaches to biblical study, but both important. One compliments the other; they do not contradict.

That's my view on both in brief.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Allan]

They are two different courses of study in seminary. Biblical theology concerns itself with biblical truth including historicity of the text, culture, author, dating, circumstances, It includes God's action and interaction with creation.

Systematic theology is the study of God in relation to creation, redemption, interaction, development of doctrine, all based on scripture.

Two dfferent approaches to biblical study, but both important. One compliments the other; they do not contradict.

That's my view on both in brief.

Cheers,

Jim

That was my point. It depends on ones definitions to give a valid answer.

 

[Greektim]

Here is a definition from mongergism.com (cf. http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/qna/systembiblical.html)

Biblical theology and systematic theology are two different manners of arranging the teaching of the scriptures. Biblical theology seeks to understand the progressive unfolding of God's special revelation throughout history, whereas systematic theology seeks to present the entire scriptural teaching on certain specific truths, or doctrines, one at a time. Biblical theology is thus historical and chronological in its design; and in fact, a close synonym for biblical theology, at least in its wide-angle task of accounting for all of special revelation, is the term “redemptive history”. Biblical theology is not always pursued in so broad a fashion, however; sometimes, certain themes are approached in a biblical theological manner; for instance, a biblical theology of holy space in worship would seek to understand how that specific motif unfolded in redemptive history, from the beginning of revelation until the end. Another narrower application of biblical theology would be the study of the unfolding of revelation during a specific time period (for example, post-exilic biblical theology); or the study of the development of themes in a particular author (for example, Johannine biblical theology); but ultimately, even these narrower applications are truly biblical-theological in nature only as they seek to advance an understanding of the progression of redemptive history as a whole.

Systematic theology, on the other hand, is laid out, not chronologically, nor with a consideration of the progressive development of doctrines, but thematically, taking into account from the outset the complete form which revelation as a whole has finally assumed. Systematic theology attempts to answer the question, “what is the full extent of the truth that we may know about the doctrine of sin, or salvation, or the Holy Spirit, etc.?”. Hence, systematic theologies progress from the doctrine of the Godhead, or theology proper, to christology, pneumatology, angelology, soteriology, and so on, treating each theme exhaustively.

 

[Greektim]

They are two different courses of study in seminary. Biblical theology concerns itself with biblical truth including historicity of the text, culture, author, dating, circumstances, It includes God's action and interaction with creation.

Systematic theology is the study of God in relation to creation, redemption, interaction, development of doctrine, all based on scripture.

Two dfferent approaches to biblical study, but both important. One compliments the other; they do not contradict.

That's my view on both in brief.

Cheers,

Jim

That is not a definition for biblical theology that I have ever heard of. That sounds more like the area of biblical studies or OT/NT introduction.

 

[preachinjesus]

Why limit the question to just systematic or biblical theology. Since they are sub-disciplines of the larger category of theology, why not also include narrative theology, historical theology, philosophical theology, dogmatic theology, and practical theology?

Just curious.

 

[JesusFan]

Which one is more important?

Which one takes precedent over the other?

Which one do you rely on most when teaching doctrine?

isn't Systematic theology though someone view on what the Bible teaches on a whole/totality of any given biblical concept/doctrine?

If yes, wouldn't that be useful in getting the 'broad perspective" on biblical theology, but most sermons/message/teachings more of a focus on more of individual basis?

Think both compliment the other, problem is when your favorite theologian suddenly becomes equal to the Apostles or Prophets!

 

[Greektim]

Why limit the question to just systematic or biblical theology. Since they are sub-disciplines of the larger category of theology, why not also include narrative theology, historical theology, philosophical theology, dogmatic theology, and practical theology?

Just curious.

Cause those 2 may be the most prominent in theology (especially systematic).

Plus, I don't find that historical or philosophical theologies are as determinative for doctrine as systematic or biblical.

Some may equate dogmatic w/ systematic & narrative w/ biblical.

Practical theology is of course the final result of all theology. So I did not include it.

 

[Dr. Bob]

I taught "biblical theology" (starting with Gen 1:1 and developing progressively along with revelation)

Each student then compiled their own "systematic theology" as revelation expanded. By the time we hit Revelation (9 credit class over 3 semesters) they had compiled truth about God - His attributes, character, attributes, etc. And about Jesus, the Spirit, man/sin, salvation, inspiration, etc - all of the subjects in a "systematic" book.

But personalized to them, since we had to teach non-denominational (not Baptist).

ASIDE:
We taught Gen1-Rev22 "Chronology" of the Bible, looking at events in relation to world history = 9 credits

Then next taught Gen1-Rev22 "Geography" of the Bible, looking at the spacial relationships of all events = 9 credits

Next was Gen1-Rev22 "Theology" of the Bible (as above, in biblical theology) = 9 credits

Finally was Gen1-Rev22 "Philosophy" of the Bible (how to apply, live truth with special emphasis on Proverbs and practical epistles = 9 credits

So that was 36 credit Bible major without the conventional OT survey, Hebrew History, Life of Christ etc classes. Was a fantastic way to master Scripture