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Spending more time reading systematic theology?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by gb93433, Dec 4, 2008.

  1. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I can't speak for others, but when I am reading a systematic theology text, my Bible is open beside it on my desk. I am constantly cross referring what I am reading. So, studying theology is Bible study. I can't see the problem here.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  2. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    I personally believe a person needs to work out the major categories of theology for themselves.

    Get a handle on theology proper, christology, pneumatology, and so on.
     
  3. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    I have seen lots of that too, but don't you think that they have not spent much time studying and putting their theology out there for people to dialog and examine.
     
  4. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    While that is great, I have seen preachers read sermons and preach them. The problem I have about reading a theology is that it may influence the interpretation before one struggles in studying the text first. I find that studying the historical context of a passage does a lot to help understand it and the book it lies within.

    A messianic Jewish pastor once told me that if one studies the first five books of the Bible he will have little trouble correctly interpreting the rest of the Bible especially the NT. I think he is correct.
     
  5. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    The opposite of Systemic Theology is chasing rabbits. If we abandon Systemic Theology, we get into Theological Dead ends - doctrines with no use, no support, no logic, and no support by the Lord. We people tend to like the ear tickling doctrines not the sound ones. The whole idea of Systemic Theology is that the Biblical Sound Theological Doctrines ALL HANG TOGETHER.

    The worse non-Systemic Theology trap I see today is the Magic of Divination from the Hebrew letters of the Hebrew version of our Christian Old Testament. It is PURE DEMON WORSHIP, yet it does tickle the ear. Wait till the KJVO-Equidistant-Letter Divination Heresy gets going good :tear:
     
  6. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    How is studying the text of scripture in light of its historical context in which it was written like chasing rabbits?
     
  7. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    Ed Edwards said: " The opposite of Systemic Theology is chasing rabbits. "

    Not at all is the answer.
    Your question presupposes this statement:

    The Systemic Theology is THE OPPOSITE of studying the text of scripture in light of its historical context in which it was written.

    That statement just isn't true. It leads to a bad question. A better question might be:

    How does Systemic Theology enhance one's serve (of Jesus)?

    That sounds like a good question to find an answer unto.

    I study a lot of Eschatology. Someday I'll like to go into each of the Christian Doctrinal -ologies, start with the basics and Systematically derive a logical/Biblical Eschatology Theory to go with it.

    BTW, I advocate more of "studying the text of scripture in light of its historical context" in the format of developing a Systemic Theology AS OPPOSED TO reading already existing Systemic Theology.

    Chasing rabbits means to me 'randomly coming up with strange, unorthodox doctrines' such as Post-Mill (Christian Jihad), Emergent Church, Second Blessing Baptism, Jesus came back in 1918 and we missed it cause it was spiritual (Adventist), Psychological Healing (Christian Science), and all kinds of other weird non-Systemic Theologies.
     
  8. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    I agree with you 100%.

    If every pastor spent time in serious study and prayer he would be able to feed his congregation well and train them in the faith. I cannot imagine pastoring a declining church because I did not prepare. People are hungry for the word of God not Pepto Bismol and cotton candy.

    In feeding people there are those who do not like what happens because it exposes their sin and they will not look so good if others grow. Too often in a church it is about control rather than serving God. Too many like the place of prominence rather than taking the place of a servant.
     
  9. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Never heard of systemic theology..that is a physiological thing like a systemic infection. Is that a theology of the body?

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  10. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    Could you explain what you mean?
     
  11. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    That SHOULD BE: systematic theology

    The spelling error comes from not checking the spelling but depending upon Spell Checking. Not quite as bad yet as the 'there', 'their', "they're" errors.
     
  12. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    What Elder Brother Jim1999 is discussing is:

    Definitions selected from dictionary.com

    systemic - adj
    2. Physiology, Pathology.
    a. pertaining to or affecting the body as a whole.
    b. pertaining to or affecting a particular body system.


    systematic - adj

    3. arranged in or comprising an ordered system: systematic theology

    From the title, we are discussing 'systematic theology'.

    Again, I apologize :tear: for using the wrong spelling
     
  13. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    That's ok,,I have fickle fingers too...Just had to make sure there wasn't some hidden meaning in the word.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  14. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    I cannot type very well compared to writing by hand so I have to make sure I read each word carefully, which I do not always do very well.
     
  15. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    Actually I was cutting & pasting - so I made the same mistake 4 times :tear:
    Would that be four mistakes or one mistake 4 times?
     
  16. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    mistakingly consistent.........."smile"

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
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