Systematic Theology: Organising the Whole Bible by Topic
Systematic Theology gathers the teaching of the whole Bible on each subject into one ordered whole, so that what Scripture says about God, salvation and the Christian life can be understood clearly, taught faithfully and lived out day by day.
What Systematic Theology Is
Systematic Theology is the Topic-based organization of all the information from every book of the Bible into one place, to enable a clearer understanding of the teachings of the Bible. Rather than walking through Scripture verse by verse, it takes a question — Who is God? How is a person saved? What is the church? — and brings every relevant passage together to answer it.
The whole Bible, topic by topic
Because it draws on the whole of Scripture, it also helps guard against lifting a single verse out of context and building a belief on it.
The Major Divisions
Generally, around ten major categories are recognised, each with its own name. Pneumatology is the study of the Holy Spirit, and Soteriology is the study of salvation. Other divisions include Theology Proper (the nature of God), Christology (the person and work of Christ), Anthropology and Hamartiology (humanity and sin), Ecclesiology (the church), Eschatology (the last things), Bibliology (the Scriptures) and Angelology (angels and spiritual beings).
Systematic and Biblical Theology
Biblical theology is another way to study theology; it focuses on a certain book of the Bible and God’s unfolding revelation of Himself to humanity. While there are also other methods by which we can study theology, what is important is that we seek to understand God’s ways and apply what we discover so we live acceptable lives.
Understanding that is outworked in living
This resource (bible-dictionary.info) has a systematic approach in the way the information about the various topics has been correlated with a strong practical emphasis on application.
Reflection and Application
- Choose one topic, such as salvation, and trace what each major book of the Bible says about it.
- Notice how systematic theology and biblical theology complement one another.
- Let doctrine shape practice: ask how each teaching changes the way you live.
- Use the systematic arrangement of this resource when you begin studying a new topic.
See also: application, knowledge, theology.