A. Jesus Commands it
1. Matthew 28:19-20
a. In verse 20, it says “teaching them to observe all
that I have commanded you”
2. All that Christ commanded includes many different things
a. Teachings in the gospels: Sermon on the mount, parables,
questioning by the teachers of the Law, teachings associated
with miracles, etc
b. The epistle instructions were also commanded by Christ:
1 Corinthians 14:37, 2 Peter 3:2, Revelations 1:1-3
c. Both the gospels and epistle instructions testify and
confirm the OT being instruction from God
d. Jesus taught on what was said in all the Scriptures
concerning himself: Luke 24: 27
B. Systematically studying the bible helps us understand the
whole Word of God
1. Takes and examines all/many of the passages of Scripture
that pertain to a particular teaching/doctrine.
a. Allows you to see what God has said about particular
doctrines in different times and by different people. The
Word of God will not contradict itself.
b. Allows us to understand these doctrines and take advantage
of the work that teachers of the bible have done for us
in systematically organizing a studying of the given doctrines.
c. Systematic theology is a summary of passages in the
bible pertaining to a given doctrine. This allows us to
quickly learn and understand what God has to say on a given
subject.
d. It helps us see the big picture of the Word of God,
which may give a clearer understanding.
2. Our clearer understanding of the whole bible helps us
interpret it in the context of the whole of Scripture
a. The 3 keys to interpreting the bible is context, context,
context. Immediate context, thematic context, historical
context, scriptural/biblical context.
3. Our clearer understanding of the bible allows us to teach
ourselves and others more effectively such that we can better
fulfill Matthew 28:20
a. We are not commanded to teach our own whimsical feelings
and fancies. Rather, the bible is what we ought to teach.
We can efficiently point others to bible passages that pertain
to a given subject and explain what they mean and how they
relate.
b. Helps us/others understand our/others incorrect and
unbiblical ideas. With 1 or 2 verses in a give book that
you remember from reading through the bible, you may not
be able to convince yourself and overcome your incorrect
view of scripture. But as God reveals to you 50 passages
from Genesis to Revelations telling you you’re wrong, you
ought to be more persuaded.
4. Our clearer understanding of the bible will guard us from
false doctrine that will attack the truth of God
a. 1 Timothy 1:3-4, 18, 4:6-7
5. Our clearer understanding of the bible should grow you
in your sanctification.
a. 1 Timothy 6:3-5, “the sound instruction of our Lord
Jesus Christ and godly teaching” (NIV), “the teaching
which accords with godliness” (NKJV), “doctrine conforming
to godliness"
b. Titus 1:1, “knowledge of the truth that leads to
godliness" (NIV)
c. Paul’s epistles are structured whereby he begins with
truth and doctrine, adds a “therefore” and follows
to outline how Christians ought to live in light of the
truths he started with.
6. Our clearer understanding of the bible helps increase
the certainty of our faith
a. Luke 1:3, Luke gives an orderly account so Theophilus
would know the certainty of these things he was taught
b. 1 John 5:13, John instructs us in the bible so that
we may know that we have eternal life.
c. Understanding and knowing the bible better gives us
confidence in the Word of God and the truth of Christ.
7. Systematic theological study of the bible helps us answer
questions in life that are not explicitly answered in the
bible.
a. Christians serving in public office?
b. Euthanasia?
c. Abortion?
d. Can Christians be involved in serious immorality?
e. What church to join?
f. How should you raise your children?
g. How should you spend your money?
C. Good systematic theology is based solidly on the Word of
God.
1. Statements and doctrines should be clearly backed up by
scripture
2. This should give us a great conviction and appreciation
of the Word of God.
3. If we are in the habit of learning and understanding teachings
and principles that are backed up by Scripture, it will cause
us to always ask where the scriptural backup for any given
thing that we have to do or say.
D. Pitfalls of studying Theology: What we must guard against
1. Studying for the sake of studying, where the bible no
longer has a spiritual convicting impact on the student. This
should not be the effect of scripture, as outlined above;
it should grow us in our sanctification.
2. Increase of knowledge may increase our ego.
a. 1 Corinthians 8:1, in the context of eating food sacrificed
to idols, Paul says, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds
up”. We need to prayerfully study theology in love for
the purposes outlined above and not to lord it over others
or think that we are better than others because of knowledge
of the bible. Our knowledge of the bible should be humbly
applied in our own lives and then lovingly taught to those
who do not understand or know.
3. In our ambitions in studying the whole of scripture, we
may unintentionally or inadvertently take passages out of
context to support a given doctrine. In our study of systematic
theology, the bible should be carefully examined for what
it says and not what we want it to say.
