HOW%20TO%20DO%20THEOLOGY:%20A%20study%20into%20the%20process%20of%20doing%20theology

1
HOW TO DO THEOLOGYA study into the process of
doing theology

• Systematic Theology may be defined as the
  collecting, scientifically arranging, comparing,
  exhibiting, and defending of all facts from any
  and every source concerning God and His works.
• Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer,
• Systematic Theology, 16.

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Introduction to Theological MethodLecture 6b

• The Nature of Theological Method.
• Why Harmonize/Systematize Theology?
• Theological Methodology.
• How Should We Then Live?
• Appendix 1 Is Systematizing/harmonization a
  social construction of Western thought?

3

• Part I.
• The Nature of Theological Method

4
What is relation between theology and logic?

• Basic logic tells us to demand three things
• Clear definition of terms
• True data (true premises)
• And logical arguments (proofs).
• The rules of logic do not change when we insert
  Biblical claims or theology into the content.

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What method should we use?

• Though the laws of logic must apply to
  theological method, what about the laws of other,
  more specific methods, such as the scientific
  method?
• While there is nothing wrong with the scientific
  method, to say we should only believe what is
  proved by the scientific method is contradictory,
  for the principle itself, namely, that we should
  believe only what can be proved by the scientific
  method, cannot be proved by the scientific method.

6
What method should we use?

• What about using Descartes Universal Methodic
  Doubt?
• This method does not begin with unquestioned
  assumptions, but with doubt. Subject everything
  to questioning. If it can be doubted, throw it
  out.

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What method should we use?

• Universal Methodic doubt is not appropriate for
  theology if theology is more like getting to know
  another person than like getting to know a
  concept or a material thing.
• You cant get to know people if you assume that
  everything states is false until it is proven to
  be true.
• Best method for understanding people is not
  methodic doubt but methodic faith Assume that
  the other person is telling the truth until you
  have good reason for believing that he or she is
  ignorant or lying. So if theology is like
  friendship with another person than it is like
  chemistry, then the appropriate method will be
  methodic faith rather than methodic doubt.

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What method should we use?

• Should we use Ockhams Razor?
• William of Ockham, a 13th British philosopher,
  claims
• hypotheses should not be multiplied without
  necessity- in other words, you should always
  prefer the simpler explanation.

9
What method should we use?

• Should we use Ockhams Razor?
• William of Ockham, a 13th British philosopher,
  claims
• hypotheses should not be multiplied without
  necessity- in other words, you should always
  prefer the simpler explanation.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• A. Theological methodology involves both truth
  ideas
• Systematic Theology is primarily based upon
  truths derived from special and natural
  revelation.
• Theological method engages exegetical, biblical,
  theological, philosophical claims of truths.
• Theological method accepts those claims of truths
  that harmonizes with already established facts.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• As Dr. Charles Hodge states in Systematic
  Theology, 11
• If, therefore, theology be a science, it must
  include something more than a mere knowledge of
  facts. It must embrace an exhibition of the
  internal relation of those facts, one to another,
  and each to all. It must be able to show that if
  one be admitted, others cannot be denied.

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The Nature of Theological MethodDefinition of
coherence

• Critical to theological method is coherence.
  Coherence is an epistemological test for validity
  by examining the harmony, unity, and consistency
  of an idea to an already established system or
  harmonization of beliefs. If the propositional
  statement does not harmonize with the system of
  beliefs, then either the idea is wrong, needs
  refinement, etc. or the settled doctrines as we
  know them are wrong.

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The Nature of Theological MethodDefinition of
coherence

• However, the chances that the settled doctrines
  are invalid are very unlikely if we have
  consistently followed a plain, normal,
  grammatical-historical-literary method of
  interpretation.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• B. Justification for this system is two-fold
• External witness The witness of harmony,
  symmetry, and unity of nature, personhood,
  physical laws, and social well-being first
  principles of logic, and other investigative
  disciplines of study which seek to harmonize
  ideas with established facts.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• B. Justification for this system is two-fold
• 2. Internal witness The witness of Jesus use
  of Scripture, the fulfillment of prophecy, both
  the biblical, logical, and philosophical basis of
  and results of using a plain, normal,
  literal-grammatical, historical, literary method
  of interpretation, and correlative evidence to
  what we already know to be true in Scripture
  archeology, history, etc.

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The Nature of Theological Method

• C. Since the Bible is special revelation, a
  collection of divine propositional truths within
  literary context (s), the theologian does the
  following
• collect,
• authenticate,
• arrange, and
• exhibit divine truths in their internal relation
  to each other (coherence)

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The Nature of Theological Method

• Critical to theological methodology is an
  examination into ones spiritual life before the
  process is to begin for you dont want to hinder
  the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit.
  Stated differently, since we are dealing with
  divine truth, seeking to accurately represent His
  interests, we must be dependent upon the Holy
  Spirit. To study and do theology according to
  the flesh is disrespectful, dishonoring,
  short-sighted, and even hypocritical.

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The Nature of Theological Method

• 1. Are you rightly related to God?
• 2. Have you confessed all known sins (1 John
  19)?
• 3. Are you grieving the Holy Spirit?
• 4. Are you quenching any aspect of the Holy
  Spirit in your life?
• Are their areas in your life whereby you are
  unwilling to submit over to God?
• 6. Are you yielded to God?

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The Nature of Theological MethodAn overview of
the process

• E. An overview of the
• six-step theological method

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The Nature of Theological MethodAn overview of
the process

• 1st Step Inductively arrive at an exegetical
  proposition that accurately reflects the intended
  meaning of the Author/author that harmonizes with
  first principles of logic (e.g., Law of
  Non-Contradiction). For example Man is totally
  depraved (Romans 323).

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The Nature of Theological MethodAn overview of
the process

• 2nd Step Propositional statement is then
  tested for coherence by a synchronic application
  both biblically (letting Scripture interpret
  Scripture) and already settled doctrinal beliefs.
  In other words, does the propositional statement
  cohere with what the Bible teaches elsewhere and
  what we already know to be true doctrinally?

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• 3rd Step The statement then is comprehensively
  formulated from exegesis, authorial intent, and
  within the boundaries of settled doctrinal
  beliefs. Then cogent justifications are offered
  and appropriate illustrations are made we need
  to know why we believe what we believe.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• 4th Step The propositional doctrine is then
  examined under the lens of general revelation and
  natural law to see potential doctrine
  successfully coheres with these foundational
  prescriptive beliefs (Romans 212-15). If the
  doctrine violates general revelation and
  prescriptive natural law, it is suspect.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• 5th Step Then one examines the propositional
  statement under the lens of historical theology
  for correlative insight. Historical theology is
  valuable because many doctrinal mistakes,
  debates, creeds, formulations have already been
  discussed in past eras of theological discourse
  development.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• 6th Step Finally, personal and community
  life-applications are made in order to test
  livability. The doctrine is suspect if we cant
  apply it in our love-relationship with God,
  seeking only to do that which will give God the
  most glory.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• Summary
• My method of theological coherence implores you
  to appropriately, carefully, meditatively,
  purposefully, prayerfully, microscopically,
  reflectively, repeatedly, comprehensively
  examine to see if your exegetical propositional
  statement coheres and harmonizes with first
  principles of logic, Bible (concentric author,
  sentence, paragraph, book, authors writings,
  testament, and Bible) , settled doctrinal beliefs
  (dogmatic theology), natural law. Then one
  proceeds to examine historical theology for
  correlative insight and conclude by establishing
  appropriate life application.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• Lets take a deeper look into the
• six-fold method of
• theological coherence

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• Inductive Approach Ascertain and state the
  truths of Scripture
• a. diachronically,
• b. exegetically,
• c. Inductively,
• d. Logically, i.e., First Principles of Logic
  (e.g., law of non-contradiction).

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• 2. Cohere the propositional statement to the
  following (synchronic approach)
• a. Passage, unit of thought, book, biblical
  theology, the whole Bible.
• b. The proposition to other doctrinal
  statements or settled beliefs. Look for
  consistency, harmony, symmetry unity.

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Synchronic ApproachBegin with the Word and
progress towards Bible
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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• 3. Formulate comprehensive doctrine
• a. Formulate offer biblical, logical,
  theological, philosophical justification
  answer the question why.
• b. Present illustrations (illustrations shed
  light on the cogency of your proposition).

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• C. Remember, any systematization that you do must
  be made with diligence, attention to detail,
  care, and reverence. I would argue that many
  differences of opinion or poor statements in
  theological discourse are due to hermeneutical
  mistakes and un-tested assumptions which
  unfortunately have been incorporated into a poor
  theological system or belief paradigm.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• D. Any systematization must also be thoroughly
  comprehensive and if possible, exhaustive every
  detail must be examined and correlated. Consider
  the following quotations from Dr. Charles Hodge
  regarding those who were not comprehensive in
  their harmonization of Gods Word Systematic
  Theology, 111.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• An imperfect induction of facts led men for
  ages to believe that the sun moved round the
  earth, and that the earth was an extended plain.
  In theology a partial induction of particulars
  has led to like serious errors. It is a fact that
  the Scriptures attribute omniscience to Christ.
  From this it was inferred that He could not have
  had a finite intelligence, but that the Logos was
  clothed in Him with a human body with its animal
  life. But it is also a Scriptural fact that
  ignorance and intellectual progress, as well as
  omniscience, are ascribed to our Lord. Both
  facts, therefore, must be included in our
  doctrine of his person. We must admit that He had
  a human, as well as a divine intelligence.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• It is a fact that everything that can be
  predicated of a sinless man, is in the Bible,
  predicated of Christ and it is also a fact that
  everything that is predicated of God is
  predicated of our Lord hence it has been
  inferred that there were two Christ's,two
  persons,the one human, the other divine, and
  that they dwelt together very much as the Spirit
  dwells in the believer or, as evil spirits dwelt
  in demoniacs. But this theory overlooked the
  numerous facts which prove the individual
  personality of Christ. It was the same person who
  said, I thirst who said, Before Abraham was I
  am.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• The Scriptures teach that Christs death was
  designed to reveal the love of God, and to secure
  the reformation of men. Hence Socinus denied that
  his death was an expiation for sin, or
  satisfaction of justice. The latter fact,
  however, is as clearly revealed as the former
  and therefore both must be taken into account
  in-our statement of the doctrine concerning the
  design of Christs death.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• 4. We need to evaluate our propositional
  statement against first principles of moral
  belief, ie., what we know to be universally true
  and self-evident such as those prescriptive moral
  commands inscribed upon the human heart (Romans
  212-15). For example

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• A. Since we sow what we reap and reap what
  we sow, does our theological proposition
  harmonize with the witness of godly noble
  virtues consequences (Galatians 522-23
  Colossians 31-17)?
• B. Since we are designed by God, does it
  harmonize with the witness of our human design
  (Genesis 126-27 Psalm 139 Romans 1-2)?

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• C. Since we inherently know what is right
  from wrong, does it harmonize with the
  witness of our conscience (Romans 1-2)?

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• D. Does our theological proposition
  harmonize with the invisible attributes of
  God as revealed in creation (Romans 1-2)?
• E. Does our theological proposition affirm the
  golden rule of Do unto others as you would
  have them do unto you?

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• 5. Test the coherence of your potential
  proposition once more, but this time, looking for
  harmony and consistency in historical theology

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• a. Historical theology may offer additional
  justification.
• b. Historical theology may have already debated a
  similar doctrinal belief.
• c. Historical theology may even shed light on how
  this proposition may impact communities of belief
  and the society (s) around them, positively
  and/or negatively.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• The student of nature having this ground on
  which to stand, and these tools wherewith to
  work, proceeds to perceive, gather, and combine
  his facts. These he does not pretend to
  manufacture, nor presume to modify. He must take
  them as they are. He is only careful to be sure
  that they are real, and that he has them all, or,
  at least all that are necessary to justify any
  inference which he may draw from them, or any
  theory which he may build upon them.
• Dr. Charles Hodge, Systematic theology, 19.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• 6. Lastly, Test its livability by application
• a. Yourself
• b. Family
• c. Community
• d. Society.

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I. The Nature of Theological Method

• E. Before we move onto consider why we should
  seek theological coherence (harmony, unity, and
  consistency), lets review two other
  complementary theological methods by two
  outstanding theologians
• Theological Method proposed by Dr. Norman
  Geisler
• Theological Method proposed by Dr Mike Stallard.

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Exegesis inductive logical Approach
1.
Synchronic Approach biblically doctrinally
2.
3.
Harmonize doctrine, offer justification,
illustrate
4.
Harmonizes with General Revelation and Natural
Law
Historical Theology offers Correlative Insight
5.
6.
Appropriate Applications Test of Livability
47
The Nature of Theological MethodConsider Dr.
Norman Geislers Approach from Systematic
Theology, v.1.

• Step 1 Inductive Basis in Scripture.
• Step 2 Deduction of Truths from Scripture.
• Step 3 Use of Analogies (illustrative support
  by good analogies).
• Step 4 Use of General Revelation and Natural
  Law.
• Step 5 Retroductive Method (use of all
  information to refine, nuance, and fill out our
  understanding of what is meant in previous
  steps).

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The Nature of Theological MethodConsider Dr.
Norman Geislers Approach

• Step 6 Systematic Correlation (of all
  information into a fully orbed doctrine
  through the use of the laws of logic that
  insist all truth must be non-contradictory).
• Step 7 Each doctrine is correlated with all
  other doctrines.
• Step 8 Each doctrine is expressed in view of
  the orthodox teachings of the Church Fathers.
• Step 9 Livability is the final test for
  Systematic Theology (Christianity is not
  merely metaphysics or theoretical it is also
  ethical and practical).

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The Nature of Theological MethodConsider Dr.
Mike Stallards Approach

• Level 1 Biblical Theology (restricted to authors
  history).
• Level 2 Integration or synthesis across authors
  and history (has been called Intermediate
  biblical theology).
• Level 3 Categorization or systematization of the
  results of integration.
• Level 4 Validation or invalidation of truth
  claims from outside the Bible.
• Level 5 Application to Life.

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The Nature of Theological MethodConsider Dr.
Mike Stallards Approach

• Now having considered a theological method, lets
  proceed to examine why we should seek harmony,
  unity, and consistency
• Part II

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II. Why Harmonize, Seek Unity, Consistency?

• 1. Natural Purpose We have a natural tendency
  to collect and harmonize those things of which
  we observe it is part of our God-given human
  design, a constitutive aspect of our humanity.
• 2. Cognitive/Psychological Purpose Rarely in
  any discipline of study are we satisfied with
  fragmentation, tension, mass of uncollected
  ideas or facts
• a. Ecology (complementary aspects of unity
  within diversity of life)
• b. Geography (facts and collections).
• c. Philosophy (critical thinking)
• d. Hard sciences (e.g., chemistry, physics)
• e. Music (e.g., tension/resolution).
• f . Aesthetics (e.g., Monroe Beardsley)

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II. Why Harmonize?

• Pedagogical Purpose
• If we would discharge our duty as teachers and
  defenders of the truth, we must endeavor to bring
  all the facts of revelation into systematic order
  and mutual relation. It is only thus that we can
  satisfactorily exhibit their truth, vindicate
  them from objections, or bring them to bear in
  their full force on the minds of men Hodge,
  Systematic Theology, 12.

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II. Why Harmonize?

• 4. Discovery Purpose
• a. The truths of the Bible are all related and
  determined by the nature of God who is the One
  and Only Triune God, absolutely logical,
  coherent, and harmonious. Thus, His creation
  reflects those aspects.
• b. Just as He has purposed us with a mind and
  ability to study His creation and discover the
  inorganic and organic relation and harmonious
  combination, we should study Scripture and
  discover the harmony, symmetry, and unity of
  Gods revelation.

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III. Why Theological Method?

• Part III
• Why is theological method necessary

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III. Why is Theological Method Necessary?

• Since the Holy Spirit inspired the Scripture
  (verbal, plenary), there is continuity of thought
  from Genesis 11-Revelation 2220
• Since God is logical, coherent, and consistent,
  His Word is going to be logical, coherent, and
  consistent even within literary, historical
  contexts.

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III. Why is Theological Method Necessary?

• C. He created humanity in the image of God which
  is holistic content, authority, community,
  representation. Thus, we are designed with a
  predisposition to analyze, arrange, categorize,
  collect, and correlate it is part of our
  teleological, prescriptive design.

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III. Why is Theological Method Necessary?

• We are purposefully designed to analyze, arrange,
  categorize, collect, and correlate it is one
  purpose of our God-given teleological design.
• The use of the mind is critical in seeking,
  learning, loving God as opposed to
  anti-intellectualism, existentialism,
  experientialism, and mysticism.

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III. Why is Theological Method Necessary?

• F. We are inherently aesthetically pleased with
  consistency, harmony, and unity in architecture,
  art, music, etc.
• G. We are purposefully designed to assume the
  trustworthiness of our God-given sense
  perceptions (five senses).

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III. Why is Theological Method Necessary?

• H. We are purposefully designed to trust our
  cognitive faculties.
• I. We are purposefully designed to take for
  granted that we perceive, compare, combine,
  remember, and infer.
• J. We are purposefully designed safely rely upon
  these mental faculties when used appropriately
  (vision for seeing).

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III. Why is Theological Method Necessary?

• K. We are designed to believe with assurance of
  those truths which are not learned from
  experience, but which are given in view of the
  teleological design of our human nature.
• L. We also recognize in Gods design of creation
  that every effect must have a cause that the
  same cause under like circumstances, will produce
  like effects that a cause is not a mere uniform
  antecedent, but that which contains within itself
  the reason why the effect occurs.

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III. Why is Theological Method Necessary?

• Therefore, in the words of Dr. Charles Hodge
• The student of nature having this ground on
  which to stand, and these tools wherewith to
  work, proceeds to perceive, gather, and combine
  his facts. These he does not pretend to
  manufacture, nor presume to modify. He must take
  them as they are. He is only careful to be sure
  that they are real, and that he has them all, or,
  at least all that are necessary to justify any
  inference which he may draw from them, or any
  theory which he may build upon them.
• Systematic theology, 19.

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Why is Theological Method Necessary?The bottom
line

• The goal of having a coherent biblical-theological
  method is to (1) expose inadequate
  justifications for belief and (2) provide a solid
  basis for validating or invalidating truth claims.

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IV. How Should We Then Live?

• A. Appreciate the Author of our theology The
  one and only Triune God if God said it, we need
  to know it.
• B. Learning theology is pleasurable for there is
  no greater pursuit than that of the study of God.

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IV. How Should We Then Live?

• Correct theology is crucial for appropriate and
  godly behavior.
• D. Resist all forms of anti-intellectualism
  because we are commanded to know, practice, and
  defend the truth (2 John Jude).

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IV. How Should We Then Live?

• Resist continental theory because it is
  self-defeating, anti-authoritative, and cynical
  it is vacuous for it only offers a critique of
  modernism based upon an unbiblical mindset and a
  rejection of metaphysics. And though their
  critique against modernism is insightful at
  times, their assumptions are self-defeating.

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IV. How Should We Then Live?

• Teach people how to do theology for themselves.
  It is not merely enough to assist them, we need
  to enable them. It is not merely enough to teach
  them what they believe, they need to know why.
  Finally, we need to pro-actively equip ourselves
  so we can equip others in proclaiming,
  practicing, protecting the biblical doctrines
  of the Christian faith (Jude 3).

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IV. How Should We Then Live?

• Take ownership regarding why you believe what you
  believe.
• Sound theology protects us from erroneous
  exegetical claims and proper exegesis informs our
  theology.
• I. Remember What we believe in one area of
  theology tends to directly or indirectly impact
  all other areas of theology.

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IV. How Should We Then Live?

• Dont neglect, overlook, or reject certain facts
  in Scripture that are uncomfortable or unpopular.
• k. Dont distort or pervert claims of Scripture
  because they dont cohere to your theological
  worldview. Rather, evaluate and adjust
  accordingly even if it means that you will be
  humiliated for what you believe. It is by far to
  be teachable than arrogant, esp. since you are
  representing Gods interests.

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IV. How Should We Then Live?

• As Dr. Charles Hodge says
• He theologian should remember that his
  business is not to set forth his system of truth
  (that is of no account), but to ascertain and
  exhibit what is Gods system, which is a matter
  of the greatest moment. If he cannot believe what
  the facts of the Bible assume to be true, let him
  say solong, however, as the binding authority of
  Scripture is acknowledged, the temptation is very
  strong to press the facts of the Bible into
  accordance with our preconceived theories.
• Systematic Theology, 114.

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Appendix 1 Why Systematize or Harmonize
Doctrine?

• Continental critical, structural theorists and
  even postmodern evangelicals contend that
  systematizing theology needs to be rejected
  because it is a biased, modern mindset that is
  actually imposing a social construction upon
  theological methodology
• Systematization/harmonization is a product of
  modernism.
• 2. Systematization contends for an Archimedean
  point of view.

71
Appendix 1 Why Systematize or Harmonize
Doctrine?

• 3. Systematization/harmonization contends for
  objective truth that transcends time, space, and
  culture.
• 4. Systematization ignores context how can we be
  able to even see objectively if we are inside
  and not beyond culture?

72
Appendix 1 Why Harmonize?

• b. Response to critical, continental theorists
• 1.To systematize, harmonize, categorize, and
  arrange is not a modern construction for it has
  always been a natural tendency in our God-given
  mindset to systematize it is expressed in every
  era of both church and secular history (e.g.,
  Platos Republic Aristotles Metaphysics).
• 2.To not harmonize/systematize is not
  pragmatically workable for one cant live without
  arrangement, identification, categorization,
  prescription, or systematization.

73
Appendix 1 Why Harmonize?

• 3. To not harmonize/systematize is
  counter-intuitive we instantly negatively
  react to fragmentation and discord.
• 4. Continental perspective is self-defeating-
  for how can they claim that there is no objective
  truth, an Archimedean point of view that
  transcends time, culture, and geography their
  view is self-defeating.

74
Appendix 1 Why Harmonize?

• 5. To not harmonize/systematize is rebellious
  to the harmony, symmetry, and consistency in the
  teleological design of creation, human design,
  community, and the inherent need to depend upon
  others for mutual protection, economic
  development trade, procreation, aesthetics,
  entertainment.

75
Appendix 1 Why Harmonize?

• 6. To not harmonize/systematize is even
  rebellious towards the teleological design of the
  local and universal church whereby we are created
  and gifted to compliment each other as the body
  of Christ.
• 7. To not harmonize/systematize is rebellious
  against first principles of logic, teleological
  design of language (see the writings of Leon
  Chomsky), and mathematics.
• 8. To not harmonize/systematize goes against the
  harmony, unity, consistency of God Himself, the
  one and only Triune God.

76
Appendix 1 Why Harmonize?

• As Charles Hodge states
• We cannot know what God has revealed in his
  Word unless we understand, at least in some good
  measure, the relation in which the separate
  truths therein contained stand to each other. It
  cost the Church centuries of study and
  controversy to solve the problem concerning the
  person of Christ that is, to adjust and bring
  into harmonious arrangement all the facts which
  the Bible teaches on that subject. Systematic
  theology, 12.