Theology and Biblical Doctrines are interdependent, both
for the knowledge of God as well as of His Word and teachings. Theology was
qualified as “The queen of sciences” by Augustine of Hippo and he was right,
for the Object of its study is the greatest that exists, God Himself. Even
though theology can study other divinities, the Biblical one, studies the
God that has revealed Himself as Creator of the universe. To get to know the
true God we count with His natural revelation and His special revelation.
The first is known to each person of all times through creation, something
that today is exposed through Creationism and Intelligent Design as
scientific models of the origins. The special revelation is the Word of God,
the Bible, and this, as we will be able to see is divinely inspired to the
authors, prophets, evangelists and apostles that God designated along
history. Precisely it is the Bible the one which emanates what we know as
Biblical Doctrine, the teaching that emanates from that book of books, a
progressive revelation of the will of God and how He has been dealing with
humanity. Both the study of God as well as of his teachings for our life and
to know the purpose of the Salvation of man through the redemptory work of
Jesus Christ – Yahshua, have advanced, especially in the last centuries in
church history. Today we find ourselves before a different world of the one
know by the apostles, but the doctrine and message, the Gospel of God to man
is the same: “...unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”
(John 3:3). The matter is to communicate these Words that were told to
Nicodemus by Jesus in that context about two thousand years ago and to be
able to transmit its meaning to the man of today in his context. Here, a
journey begins through the Bible by the hand of Theology that will show us
its doctrines.
THEOLOGY
The concept of Theology comes from theos which
means God, and logos, which is rational expression, according to
Ryrie, and word of verb, according to other authors and dictionaries. It’s
about the study of God, if we concentrate in the central meaning of the
term, and about what the Divinity transmits through His logos, expression or
word. Theology therefore dedicates to studying God. In the Christian world
it focuses in the God of the Bible, in Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit.
In other religions it may focus in several divinities, simple or composed.
The big difference is found in that the God of the Bible has revealed
Himself, while divinities or idols of religions are fruit of traditions of
man. In any case the man, during history has showed an internal need to know
God, or a superior being, to knowing the spiritual world, the beyond, the
metaphysic and the epistemological. All cultures of all times show signs of
adoring some kind of divinity and forms of religion, not only Greeks and
Romans, Egyptians or Sumerians, but any tribe of the Amazon. That is the
need that Theology fills, if the study made takes to the truth, to the true
God. We could say that for someone to seek God, it must first have the
presupposition that exists. The atheist must presuppose and believe that it
doesn’t exist. The agnostic must presuppose that it is not possible to have
knowledge, but if we realize it is all about God. Apart from the basis about
theology, shouldn’t we investigate in which way each of us can be directed
to a theological study with the purpose of finding the true God? And, will
that desire be natural in the man or will it be promoted by the true God? We
cannot forget that culture, time and tradition in which each has been born
and has developed his life are a great influence that may deviate and
condition us in our search of the true God, of the theological truth. There
are three elements in the general concept of the theology that, according to
Ryrie can help us: 1., Theology is intelligible for the human mind in an
organized and rational way. 2., Theology needs explanation, which comes from
exegesis and systematization. And 3., Christian faith comes from the Bible
and therefore it’s study. But there are a variety of theologies: of time:
patristic, catholic, Barthian or of liberation. Of focus: historic,
Biblical, systematic, apologetic, exegetic, etc. From these, Ryrie focuses
3: Historic Theology, which allows us to know the contributions and errors
in church history. Biblical Theology is based in the Bible instead of in
contemporary thinkers, or the one which is exegetic in contrast with the
speculative. It systematically deals with the historically conditioned
progress of God’s auto revelation in the Bible and it must be exposed in a
systematic way; it pays attention to the historical context in which God’s
revelation came; it exposes it in a progressive sequential way. It looks at
revelation as a whole, and it finds its mains source of materials in the
Bible, although it may provide other sources; but for doctrine it only comes
from the Bible. And, third, Systematic Theology, which may also include
historical background, apologetics and exegesis, etc. but it focuses in the
total structure. We can conclude that Theology is the discovery,
systematization and the presentation of the truths of God. But before we
describe Biblical Theology and the other ways to study theology, I borrow a
question from Erickson: But do we really need Theology? Because it seems to
divide more than unite Christianity in so many denominations; Is it not
enough as a Christian to love Jesus? Precisely, Theology helps us learn the
correct doctrines for our relationship with God as believers. To believe in
Jesus and His divinity is essential to that relationship, for He asked his
apostles “Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” To what Peter
replied: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-19).
Many have discussed if Jesus was really human, or really God, reason for us
to provide the argument, because from there emanates His capacity to save us
and or rising being the Messiah. Another point that convinces us about the
need of Theology is the relationship between truth and experience. But I
believe that the large number of alternatives, humanism, sects, oriental
energies, Buddhism, Islam, together with the lack of knowledge within
Christianity, precisely make of it the best way to find the truth and
separate it from falsehood. If Christian truths are understood in the
correct way, those deceivers, or those defending other interpretations may
not prosper in the mind of those thy try to convince. For that reason we
must study Biblical Theology.
BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
Having concluded that Theology is the science that
studies God, now we enter into the study of the God of the Bible as we focus
on Biblical Theology. The basic characteristic of Biblical Theology is that
it shows us the auto revelation of God during the progressive and successive
becoming of history, how God has been providing information of Himself to
those He has called to tell, write and teach under His inspiration (one of
the doctrines that we will study in the second chapter about Biblical
doctrine), all the necessary information to know and live with God along
history. Biblical Theology is based in the Bible instead of in contemporary
thinkers, or the exegetic in contrast with the speculative. It deals
systematically with the progress historically conditioned of the
auto-revelation of God in the Bible and it must be exposed in a systematic
form; it pays attention to historical context in which God’s revelation
came; it exposes it in a progressive sequence. It looks at revelation as a
whole. And it finds in the Bible its principal source of materials, though
it can provide other sources, but doctrine only comes from the Bible. The
main subject of the Bible is the person of Jesus Christ. He is the
revelation and manifestation of God, but it is in the New Testament that the
revelation about Him and His deeds is completed, from creation to salvation.
Also that the purpose of the Bible is the glory of God.
In the forties of the XX century a movement that appeared
called “Biblical Theology” saw its flourishing in the fifties and declined
in the sixties, but it was not that Biblical as the name indicates as it’s
crisis was studied by Brevard Childs. There are two other focuses that
according to Erickson are of use to us to explain the Biblical Theology. The
second would be the theological context that we find both in the Old
Testament as well as in the New Testament, the books that compose each of
them, and as a result, the Bible. A kind of systematic Theology can be
studied of parts of the N.T. like Paul’s doctrines, or of larger parts,
according to Gabler, what is called “pure” or “true” Biblical theology. We
can also call this descriptive or normative Theology, but this focus is not
dogmatic or systematic Theology. The future of Theology should go in this
direction. Last, the basic meaning of Biblical Theology is simply that which
is Biblical, loyal to the Holy Scripture. We could ask both the believer as
the non believer, which other theology could be expected from as Biblical,
but that which is purely and truly Biblical? But then we could ask
ourselves, why are there so many theological subjects and doctrines that are
interpreted in a different way within Christianity? For that, the study of
Biblical Theology and especially that of Systematic Theology help us
determine, with the help of the Holy Spirit –a relationship that we will
also study as a Biblical doctrine– which are the true ones and which are
not.
There is a close relationship between Biblical Theology
and Systematic Theology. In words of Erickson: “The systematic theologian
depends of the work and the perspectives of the workers of the exegetic
vineyard.” Systematic Theology is then based in the work of the Biblical
theologian, comes from that foundation as material from which to systematize
the general focus that we will see in the next chapter dedicated to
Systematic Theology, which includes the Biblical.
Systematic Theology
It is interesting to observe who some reputable
theologians like Chafer focus on the concept of “Systematic Theology” like
in his introduction instead of in theology in general, pointing out that it
is greater than sciences, but that it is going through critical times being
mocked by the progressives. He mentions about twenty theological works
focused on Scripture and about the doctrine, that the New Testament mentions
about 400 times, a real reference for the Christian. He complains that the
average minister does not read Systematic Theology, nor the books about the
matter are prominent in his library. His comparison with the book about
human anatomy that a doctor does not use, but it is evident that the
preacher must work with matters of God, the supernatural and the eternal.
For this we only find the truth about these matters that convert the soul
and produce a spiritual life which provides an understanding of the deepest
theology that the natural man cannot understand. It is, therefore, the Bible
our source of theological knowledge. On the other hand, the theologian
cannot be satisfied with what other men have studied. To acquire spiritual
knowledge is a lifetime work scrutinizing Scripture, because a study method
is needed which includes exegesis, original tongs, doctrines, devotionals,
historical, prophetic and practical studies. But it is a must to be able to
explain Theology to the man of today therefore it must be up to date about
philosophy and present worldview. At this point Systematic Theology is used
to explain the Bible but it must include all the doctrines in its study so
the preacher does not fall in error, both him and his congregation, avoiding
that new anti Biblical doctrines are spread. The student at seminary must
specialize in Systematic Theology, but the tendency is to do so in
philosophy, psychology and sociology; an explanation that according to
Chafer is that these are man’s natural ways of thinking, but Theology is
revelation. Ephesians 4:11-12 reminds us that those who serve the saints and
make the perfect are those provided with the different gifts –apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers with emphasis in the last. The
congregation that does not work to win souls must understand that its
Theology is not correct. Systematic Theology is to collect in a scientific
way, to order, compare, exhibit and defend the truths of God and His works.
Chafer mentions 7 subjects as forgotten in Theology: The divine program of
times; the Church, the body of Christ; human behaviour and spiritual life;
angelology; typology; prophecy and present ministry of Christ in heaven.
Like other authors, Chafer exposes the meaning of the
word Theology as preceding from the Greek –Deos “God” and logos
“speech” or “expression” y this of God. He also provides another meaning of
the word theology in its use with different meanings: For example if
it is to define the system of a particular author, like Augustinian or
Calvinist Theology of the source, like the Catholic or Evangelical; by
origin, as its the Genevieve Theology, or by method, like dogmatic,
exegetic, rational or systematic. In the encyclopaedic focus Theology finds
other particular definitions, like Natural Theology, dedicated to the truths
of God regarding nature. Revealed Theology, only dedicated to the truths of
the Holy Scripture. Biblical Theology, which exposes doctrinal and ethical
context of the Bible. Theology Proper dedicated to God the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit (including Christology and Pneumatology). Historical Theology
provides the truths, errors and changes in interpretation or dogmas during
history. Dogmatic Theology provides or it should, solid truths. Speculative,
about the abstract. Of the Old Testament is limited to that part of the
Bible. The New Testament, likewise, but here the New Testament is the key to
the Old, the culmination and complete explanation of the Theology and
doctrines of the Bible. Pauline, Johannine and Petrine to these apostles.
Practical Theology deals with its application to man’s heart. Theistic or
Systematic follows an organized development plan to incorporate the entire
plan of God and His universe. We could say that who deals with the study of
Systematic Theology is properly said a theologian, but it must assume
beforehand some essential requirements: the inspiration of Scripture, its
divine character and authority, ordering the information that God provides
in a logical and scientific way, something in what the modern and
rationalist world has lost interest in. The laws of methodology are as
relevant in Systematic Theology as they are in any other science, with which
to interpret truth in a pure way. The deductive method belongs to preaching
which is amplified with all sorts of details, and the educative is the
specific of Theology making an inclusive declaration of several. It is also
necessary to accept the limitations, because if God had not revealed His
Word to us adequately, our finite mind would not embrace what we know about
God, but the necessary spiritual illumination has been provided to win over
human limitations by the Spirit that has been given to every saved person,
as Paraclete that lives in us and teaches the Scripture to us. This only
happens to those that “who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according
to the Spirit (Romans 8:1)”, and here, not only a mental discipline is
needed, but that all who will go into the supernatural world of Systematic
Theology must show evidence that has been born again, receiving the Holy
Spirit who is the Divine Master, having surrendered to the will of God. The
next thing Chafer mentions is the requisite of a patience and tireless
study, preceded by some three years of Systematic Theology under the
instruction of those teachers with experience who are the guides of that
introductory investigation. However the study of Biblical doctrine is for
life and forever, but it demands time and strength, for this one will prove
himself before God of being a worker who has nothing to be ashamed of. Faith
is another distinctive of he who has been called to study Systematic
Theology going into the supernatural because the Word is power of God, and
without faith it is impossible to understand God, and regeneration is a
previous step to enter through the door to serve God. Systematic Theology
must not be abbreviated, it is interdependent and it is interrelated with
all the doctrines. Theologians, even more than the other scientists are
under risk of being affected by tradition and sectarianism, therefore their
target is to sustain all the divine revelation balanced. Some attitudes
towards the systematic study of Scripture include rationalism, which can be
extreme and denies all divine revelation, the moderate, which accepts it,
but from those parts of the Bible of its interest. Mysticism, if false, it
believes that those souls more vivified receive additional revelation,
becoming sectarianism like the Mormons or the Jehovah Witness. It is
important to differentiate between revelation and illumination which is what
true mysticism exposes, this is, that the Spirit gave the revelation of
Scripture and illuminates every believer to understand them in all times.
The Bible is the immediate and final authority, not the church. Christ
already discarded those traditions that spoke against His Word. The
principal categories of Systematic Theology are: Bibliology, Theology
Proper, Christology, Pheumatology, Angelology, Anthropology, Soteriology,
Ecclesiology and Eschatology. Finally to say that Theology is our
profession, like medicine to a medical doctor or laws to a lawyer, and are
called from all classes; educated and not educated, retired and workers.
Like Berkhof says in his book about Systematic Theology: though God is
incomprehensible but knowable. God wants every person to know Him. His
knowledge is essential in a spiritual life according to the sane doctrine of
the Bible; it is the essential knowledge and distinctive given to those who
desire to preach the Word.
Historical Theology
Historical Theology studies the theologies of the Church
as they have appeared during history by the different theologians that the
Church has produced. Erickson refers to this when he says that we could
study the history of a time, or follow the history of the thoughts, like
expiation. If we do this in a historical level we will find doctrines that
had been dealt with in the past and return, like that of Arius in the fourth
century, in the h Witness. Another way of study is through the evolution of
a thought about a doctrine, for example expiation along history. But our
presupposition or way of perceiving the truth may not be true in itself. For
this reason, a solution is to study the history of the interpretation of the
doctrines through time. Historical Theology allows knowing the contributions
and errors of the history of the Church, like Gnosticism. If we study the
history of Theology we will find great information that is useful for our
present study. As much Augustine of Hippo on his platonic base as Thomas
Aquinas in his adaptation of the Aristotelian metaphysics, that he would use
to teach the Christian faith, or the theology of Calvin or Barth are the
great richness of Historic Theology. Historic Theology allows to compare the
Creeds along history and test how the doctrines have evolved in their
composition, something similar to what we find today in the declarations of
faith of the different Christian denominations.
Philosophical Theology
Christian philosophy and religion have in common the
search and love to the truth, and the existential questions or the origin of
existence and of eternity. The difference is that Christian religion, is a
religion, a faith, that of salvation of man by the grace of God. Philosophy
asks the questions of man about his existence, and those about the Cosmos,
its origin and its Creator, and the purpose of the existence is replied by
Christianity. Philosophy is rational, Christianism, as a religion is faith.
The benefits of studying philosophy under the Christian
prism are the Biblical argumentation of its concepts. If philosophy takes us
inside its four pillars of knowledge: metaphysics: “being and existence”,
epistemology: “human knowledge”, logics: “human reasoning” and ethics:
“moral; good and bad” and understand the Christian answers to each of these
questions, we will be able to argue with knowledge and Biblical arguments
avoiding confusion and attracting to the way of Christ. Now, it is extremely
important to think at a world view level in Christianity, because it is our
global understanding of the world which surrounds us and embrace all the
areas of knowledge, philosophy and Theology, existential and spiritual
questions. If we do not think like that we will not know why we believe what
we believe nor will see all things under a central idea. Christian worldview
is centred in Christ and His Word, in Biblical and Theological doctrine
which allows us to provide reply to all questions by studying and comparing
alternative answers in the world and arguing from the Bible with Christian
answers. Philosophy may be described like the search and/or love to/of the
truth. And also like the search of the first principles. The study of the
first principles analyze the arguments of any discipline to determine which
are true. In Theology it would be the analysis of the origin of God and of
man. The origin of what exists and what it is. From philosophy we find that
Theology finds a base for religion on a way to explain Christian faith from
the great thinkers. Systematic Theology uses this Theology that can provide
relevant subjects, help defend and establish truth, and over all to analyze
concepts. But we find ourselves before an atheist world and must provide
convincing answers, because we have the truth. Atheist philosophy and its
theodicy argue with logics and evidence that to believe in evil and in God
is logically contradictory and improbable. The first impartial, and the
second evident, and say, God does not exist because He is not almighty and
all kind ignoring His justice and evil of man; Locke. On the other hand is
the matter of authority which is the fundamental beginning of the study of
Theology, the supreme norm for truth. In liberalism, subjectivism sees any
deed from God at communicating with man is Word of God, and it may be
through reason, feelings or conscience, where Kant exposed that basis
instincts of the soul convert in the base of the authority and the Bible is
seen as a product of human reasoning. In neo orthodoxy, the authority
according to Barth is the Word, but only Christ; the rest of the Bible is
only instrumental. The authority in conservatism is extreme and outside of
man. In Catholicism and in Conservative Protestantism this adjective
eliminates humanism and liberalism, and Protestantism eliminates the
authority of the church. The Creeds of which we spoke before, cannot be at
the same level as the Bible, and are susceptible of revision, as history
proves. In the same way as with tradition, experience cannot be
authoritative, something present in some denominations today.
Who must study Theology?
The majority of theologians coincide that Theology is for
everybody, we are all theologians in some way, because anyone who thinks
about God already is, whether it is by faith or atheism. The book seeks to
make know the thoughts of God based in the “sane doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:3), or
sane Theology is for a sane way of living, making our lives to the image of
Christ, which is the final target when studying Theology. On the other hand,
the study of Christian Theology is going to provide us the answers to
existential questions and the relevant matters to rationalism, according to
the worldviews of the postmodern world, a subject with which we will close
our exposition.
BIBLICAL DOCTRINE
The word “doctrine” in a basic meaning of the term, is
simply teaching, which can be of any subject according to the context, an
opinion. The case of Plato and his doctrine of the immortality of the soul.
In Christianity, when we refer to a doctrine it may cover subjects as
complex and fundamental for Christian faith as the doctrine of salvation
“Soteriology” or the doctrine of the Church in reference to “Ecclesiology”.
But, if we enter into a particular interpretation of a doctrine inside
Christianity, as it could be the reformed doctrine of predestination or the
Wesleyan doctrine of sanctification, doctrine can have such importance that
it can become a dogma, especially when it is imposed to a group even when it
is not Biblically justified. This is the reason for Biblical doctrine to be
crucial for Christianism.
BIBLICAL DOCTRINES
Once we concentrate in the concept of teaching of the
Bible to understand what doctrine is, we find commentaries like the one we
mentioned previously which is relevant to this point, like it is in the
point of Theology, in this case that of Chafer, who declared that to enter
into the study of Biblical Theology and doctrine it is required a patient
and tireless that is preceded by some three years of Systematic Theology
under the instruction of those teachers with experience as the guides of
that introductory investigation. However the study of doctrine will be for
life, but it demands time and strength, reason to proof himself before God
of being a worker that has nothing to be ashamed of. Ryrie, on the other
hand thinks that Doctrine only comes from the Bible with reference to the
Christian. The truth is that Biblical doctrine is the foundation of
Christian Theology. Its importance is so relevant that if the Christian does
not know it well it may be carried by teachings that may look as Biblical
thou they are not. At the beginning we were talking that we are all
theologians, but we must add that we must all know the true Biblical
doctrine. This, on the other hand has the capacity to proof and demonstrate
itself under the fundaments of the authority of being the Word of God, which
can also proof, through its study, that in deed is the Word of God, not only
the auto revelation of God to man, but being prophetic, containing a vast
amount of provable fulfilled prophecies like the birth of Christ, or His
resurrection, or the Diaspora of the Jews, etc. as well as the historical
places, real people and proofs both archaeological as bibliographical, there
is no doubt that it is the special source of God’s revelation. In it we also
find the “good news” to us, that we are called to be saved by grace in the
work of Christ, and that a new general order is to come, that like other
prophecies, no doubt it will be fulfilled. We do well, therefore in studying
and estimating Biblical doctrine as the Word of God, and no other is. Of
course we also count with the general revelation of creation, to believe
that there is a creating God, but His Word is the Bible which contains God’s
doctrine, in a series of doctrines so that we may receive all the
information regarding His will and the blessing for the Church, that body of
believers that Jesus Christ – Yahshua has won on the cross of Calvary about
two thousand years ago.
One of the keys to the study of Biblical doctrine is
hermeneutics, which means “exegesis” and it is with this tool that we can
reach the depths of the meaning of the Word of God that reveals Christ. This
understanding is based in realizing that the correct interpretation is to
understand that the New Testament implies that there was an Old one, and
that this New one has to be directly related. It is this one precisely the
one that completes the Person of the Son of God in all understanding and
opens the Texts that had Christology and that without this revelation and
illumination we would have not understood it totally.
The Principal Biblical Doctrines
From the several lists of subjects called Biblical
Doctrines, in this chapter we will use the list from Ernest Trenchard:
Revelation of God. Inspiration of Scripture. The Bible or Bibliology.
Divinity or Theology Proper. Man and Sin or Amartiology. The Person of
Christ or Christology. Propitiation and Expiation. Redemption.
Reconciliation. Salvation. Regeneration or to be Born Again. Grace, Faith
and Works. The Resurrection of Christ. The Person and Work of the Holy
Spirit or Pneumatology. The Mediation Work of Christ. Sanctification. The
Flesh and the Spirit. The Universal Church and the Local Church or
Ecclesiology. The Second Coming of Christ, part of Eschatology. Also the
Spiritual Beings are studied. Chafer and Walvoord make a more explicit and
complete list, adding Anthropology or the study of Man and his creation,
falling, character and salvation. The Covenants. The Dispensations. Israel
and the Gentiles. The Great Tribulation, the Millennium, the Judgment and
New Heaven and New Earth. As we find Biblical doctrine does not leave
anything unanswered.
A THEOLOGY FOR THE POSTMODERN WORLD
Today’s Theology no longer develops in the context of the
great theological systems of the past like those of Agustin, Aquinas,
Luther, Calvin. To compile Biblical material, unifying it, analyzing
meanings of Biblical teachings, examining historical treatments, consulting
other cultural perspectives, identifying the essence of the doctrine,
developing a central interpretative motive, and stratification of subjects;
finally the degree of authority of the theological affirmations. Theology
must be done within the present situation. Today we must be careful and not
do a Theology for present time only that will not last. The first great
system lasted a hundred years. Today we have the largest explosion of
knowledge but the basic questions are the same; What do you believe about
sin and resurrection? Today there are a multitude of texts about Systematic
Theology but it is influencing the experience in the sects as a contrast and
a “new hermeneutics” that does not permit the Bible only. The Theology that
Erickson presents in his book, it’s said to be on the bases of a balance
between the inalterable essence of the doctrines and a present way of
expressing each meaning. Present situation of Theology before postmodernism
must be seen under the prism of premodernism and it’s believe in the
rationalism of the universe; that was the land mark of the XX century. But
already there is insatisfaction with modernism and it’s believe that
supernatural is eliminated, because of the growth of the spiritual due to
the lack of sensorial experience of a cold world of the thinking of Bacon.
Now they focus on nature as natural source of the spiritual rather than in
rational naturalism, but they have changed God for man and only the
empirical method is accepted in its search, which is related with a
sensorial and emotional experience. The constructive does not accept the
traditional worldview. The conservative rejects modernist elements. It is
relevant that we do Theology without falling into fashions, idioms,
temporary ideologies nor own languages because we can become forgotten. The
radical movement is based in the present nihilism, but the interesting thing
is that it tries to impose its deconstruction. We must use all the points of
view of all the theologians in the world and of different cultures, not only
masculine, white and western. This implies to filter the deviations of the
doctrines, to maintain the truth, for example in the classical doctrine of
expiation, but explained to the man of today.
To this point we are focusing Theology from a Christian
point of view, but to argue why Theology is important we must find support
in apologetics, for this way we count on solid arguments to the basic
questions. Does God exist and what God exists? And rebate Biblically those
arguments of anti-theistic worldviews. At this point we cannot forget
presuppositions. The basic is the one used by the atheist who has to believe
the presupposition that God does not exist, which affects him when looking
to the world and to the future in a different way as the theist. The
agnostic has to believe that we cannot acquire knowledge about God,
otherwise his argument can fall when finding it. The theist believes in God,
but the Trinitarian also believes that God is a Trinity because it is
Biblical. Here, the believe that the Bible is true is our basic
presupposition. The interpretative in the need of the clear and impartial
interpretation: base of the exegesis. The priority of the New Testament,
which is the complete, while the one in the Old Testament was preparatory,
but chronologically is previous. The legitimacy of verification texts only
of the O.T. when ever they may not be to support to a truth that was only
presented in the N.T. Those that systematize: The difference between
exegesis and Theology is the system. The first analyzes, and the second
correlates those analysis. The Theological system limits itself to what the
Bible reveals, but some are tempted to fill in gaps with logic or other
rational tools. The personal: he must believe; something the non believer
lacks. He must think in a systematic way, critically and systemically. If
exegesis is varied, it will be Theology to decide. It must depend from the
Spirit in a conscious way, who will reflect intellectual humbleness in the
believer, for intellect only does not make a theologian. He must worship
when he comes to study Him to whom he reaches, because how will we not when
we comprehend Him.
To provide a Biblical answer, specially to the present
world we count with the concepts of apologetics to reply to the
anti-theistic worldviews in opposition to the arguments in favour of the
existence of God. No doubt the Cosmologic argument finds his objections in
naturalism. The argument of Design, in Darwinism and in evolutionism. The
Ontological argument, en atheism and agnosticism. The Moral argument, in
relativism and nihilism. And the favourite question of atheists; Why does
evil exist if God is good? No doubt they do not take into account the
motives of God for evil nor the evil that does or deserves. Finally,
postmodern world needs to know the Biblical miracles and the prophecies,
especially resurrection, a case of accumulative irrefutable proofs that
convince those who doubt, especially those called by God through grace for
the salvation of man and the glory of God.
CONCLUSION
After our study of Theology and Biblical doctrine, it is
evident the relation of the terms. While Biblical Theology tells us about
God from the Biblical source, Biblical doctrine tells us of the teachings of
God in the Bible, therefore both concepts, though different are directly
related.
My conclusion is that it is evident that there is an influence of Chafer in
Ryrie and though also a more up to date and complete point of view in the
second, doe to the time of life, both are complementary. However I find that
the structure of presentation and clarity that Erickson exposes is the most
used when studying, by far. That does not mean that the doctrine is more
precise or more accurate according to the Bible. The fact is that these
books provide a complete study for the subjects of doctrine and Biblical
Theology. Other books, of other authors and different points of view, apart
from these, must be used for the complete study of the Biblical Theology and
doctrine. With critical thinking we should ask ourselves; How is Theology
seen today and how do we make it relevant to the non believer and to the
believer? The problem in the postmodern world is nihilism, also the lack of
clear preaching, but that is expressed in present terms and that is
initiated from the present subjects in an expositive preaching. We have
information in the Bible which is prophetic, in nature, which emanates the
science of design and that we can use to prove. We can use the methods of
critical thinking and reasoning about truth, as well as the philosophical.
We can position Biblical doctrine in the present world, and therefore the so
called “queen of sciences” will continue being, in my opinion, because the
Object of its study is the greatest that exists: God himself.