Systematic Theology and Progressive Gospelcentric Theology

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Systematic Theology and Progressive/ Gospelcentric Theology

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

The implication of the passage above is that it is very possible to mishandle or mistreat the word of God. Apostle Peter has this to say:

…just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 2 Peter 3:15-16

In the last article, it was stressed that a Christian is one who believes the Bible as the final authority over their lives for doctrine and practice. How did the church come about her doctrines?

1. Systematic Theology- this is a collection or harmony of Biblical teachings on various aspects of doctrine which has eight scope: 1. Bibliology- what the Bible teaches about itself and God’s revelation to man. 

2. Theology- what the Bible teaches about the One true and Triune God revealed in Christ. 

3. Pneumatology- what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit.

 4. Anthropology and Hematology- what the Bible teaches about man and sin.

 5. Christology and Soteriology- what the Bible teaches about Christ and His redemptive work of salvation for mankind.  

6. Angeliology- what the Bible teaches about angelic beings and demons.   

 7. Ecclesiology- what the Bible teaches about the church. 

8. Eschatology- what the Bible teaches about the last days.     

Systematic Theology is the hard work of Bible scholars who have helped the church collate the core of her teachings. We cannot but appreciate the some reputable ancient theologians like Charles Hodge, B. B. Warfield (Benjamin) as well as reputable modern theologians in person of Wayne Grudem and Louis Berkhof. The first hint of reference to Systematic Theology is in Paul’s writing to his son, Timothy. In 1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh (incarnation), justified in the Spirit (baptism, the blameless and spotless life of Christ, attested by the miracles), seen of angels (resurrection), preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in all the world, received up into glory (ascension).

Systematic Theology has a place in the training and making of pastors. It is very sad and particularly for me that workmen are trained in the seminary and would be told that what you are being taught here is not applicable to the church where you are going to pastor. If it was not necessary, why allow them go through the rigours in the first place. Then it becomes pathetic that pastors who work in denominations that hold to some doctrinal stand cannot reflect it in their weekly sermons either because they didn’t believe it in the first place but just learnt it for learning sake or otherwise because there is simply not the means to convey it. Another result that has been produced by Systematic Theology is divergent views. Thus, Calvinists view of salvation is quite different from Arminianian even though both presupposes to use the Bible as their source of authority. Nevertheless, Systematic Theology has been able to help in composing the Creed’s of the church just as Paul stated to Timothy in the passage above.

Systematic Theology is important and vital to the church life and pastors need to be grounded the more in their knowledge of Systematic Theology but asides that, our seminaries should be able to train pastors on Progressive -Gospelcentric Theology. Pastors are called to preach to edify. This is quite different from Biblical Theology or Old or New Testament Theology which is dispensational theology.

The term Progressive- Gospelcentric is a Biblical interpretation approach that has a similitude with the Reformed term of expository and Christo- centric preaching. I’d rather appreciate the term Gospelcentric. The idea of Progressive- Gospelcentric theology is having the underlying intuition that God’s revelation is progressive and finds its climax or fulfilment in Christ. Heb. 1:1-3. If I am to teach a primary school toddler the definition of Economics and SS 3, you will agree that the definition of Economics that will suffice for a toddler will be quite different from that of SS 3 and that which the toddler will write and will get 100%, if the SS 3 does the same, it would result in failure. Morso, the definition an Economist (B. Sc) would give would be mature than both the primary school toddler and the SS 3. So if I am to examine or evaluate the true definition or concept of Economics, I have to go to the Economist who have the mature understanding of the subject matter.

In the same vein, God’s revelation is perfect. It is pure and flawless but He was speaking to finite men who are finite in comprehension. He therefore revealed His infallible and perfect Revelation at the level that His people were which they could comprehend and according to His timing which He had appointed for all things. Biblical Theology or Dispensational theology would ask us to evaluate the truth that God has communicated to them at their dispensation and judging by their context and circumstances. Progressive- Gospelcentric would actually go forward to say that the truth should be judged, evaluated or examined in view of God’s mature revelation in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus told the Jews to search the Scriptures… for they are that bears witness of Me. John 5:39. The theme for ECWA this year is from the book of Zechariah. I was amazed how the book of Zechariah contained marvelous themes of the gospel and theology in our Bible study classes. The entire Scripture is pointing to the revelation of God in Christ Jesus.

Having said thus far, it means when I take on any book in the Bible, especially the books of the Old Testament, the story line or passage is interpreted historically, culturally and it’s background context but ultimately, it is interpreted in light of it’s revelation of or about Christ to make it produce sound theology. Theology is not an enterprise of those in Seminaries alone, it is for all Christians. And may I tell you that every Christian is a theologian. It now depends on the theology, whether a bad theology that does not save and ends in hell or a good one that leads to salvation.

The term Progressive- Gospelcentric theology is a new coined term that needs to be explained in detail. Howbeit is the fact that much has been written and said already. In a bit not to make the write up boringly bulky, we trust God for another opportunity to share heart to heart what this new inspired term implies.

© Purpose Media Publications, 2020