Introduction to Theology

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INTRODUCTION TO THEOLOGY

Pastor Tom Stark

This is an overview of how the component of theology is treated in the Commissioned Pastor Program of the Synod of the Great Lakes.

I. RATIONALE FOR THE CASE STUDY METHOD:

Our approach for study is problem-solving, or case study examples, which the candidate is asked to work through. There are several reasons for this:

1. Putting the challenges in real life settings leads to learning which is more relevant, and is retained more as practical information.

2.  This method calls for integration of knowledge from several sources, and

thus, is more like real ministry challenges.

3. This method lends itself to working as a team. There may be other church or ministry staff members, or close friends, or spouses, who can join in some of these case studies.

4.  Case studies call for crucial elements of Scripture application, unique

questions for Reformed Church in America settings, and pastoral wisdom.

II. OUR CHOICE OF RESOURCES

A. The primary theology resource which we are recommending is Dr. Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, Zondervan, 1994, $40, but available as part of your commissioned pastor fee through Dr. Ron Geschwendt. We have chosen this text for some key reasons:

1. Dr. Grudem states in his Preface: "I have tried to make it [biblical doctrine] understandable for Christians who have never studied theology before. I have avoided using technical terms without first explaining them." We find that he has done this admirably. When technical terms are used they are defined, and there is a thorough index.

2. Dr. Grudem mentions "six distinctive features [which] grow out of my convictions about what systematic theology is and how it should be taught": A Clear Biblical Basis for Doctrines, Clarity in the Explanation of Doctrines, Application to Life, Focus on the Evangelical World, Hope for Progress in Doctrinal Unity in the Church, and A Sense of the Urgent Need for Greater Doctrinal Understanding in the Whole Church.

3. The emphasis on "Application to Life" is reflected in the "Questions for Personal Application" at the end of each chapter. An average of five or six questions are given for each chapter, sometimes with several related questions for each number. We hope that those who are working in the book will reflect and perhaps make notes on the questions after each chapter, and, on many occasions, the Application Questions will be part of the assignments.

4. A recommended Scripture memory passage is provided with each chapter.

5. Dr. Grudem has a helpful treatment of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and worship- all areas which can be sources of conflict and tension in the Christian church. He has a sensitivity to the charismatic movement (as indicated in his book’s dedication to, among others, Harald Bredesen, under whom he was an intern at the Mount Vernon, New York Reformed Church- the first "charismatic" pastor in the RCA, and John Wimber- founder of the Vineyard churches). His treatment of the issues is Reformed, and gracious, and helpful for local churches. In fact, he is outstanding for his graciousness where there is disagreement among evangelical Christians. He states other viewpoints (Arminian, charismatic, Lutheran, etc.) fairly and gives good bibliographic references for other views. He has obviously functioned among a variety of Christians of varying views.

6. Grudem is forthright about his distinctive views, including holding to believers’ baptism, not infant baptism. Nevertheless, we think it is a fine text overall.

7. The book is over 1100 pages, plus an important appendix of "Historic Confessions of Faith". It is now available as an eBook too.

8. In the Winter l996 issue of "Reformed Review" (from Western Seminary) Dr. Ronald Mayers reviewed Grudem's book:

"In a very well-written and insightful but lengthy book, Wayne Grudem has given the church a comprehensive theology text. Clearly in the mainstream of evangelical thought. . . .

“This systematic theology is different from almost all other theology texts. It treats at length such topics as Christ's descent into hell (which is denied), church government, the intermediate state between death and resurrection, and spiritual gifts. More importantly, Grudem makes theology speak to the heart as well as to the mind of the Christian. Each chapter concludes with pertinent personal questions to make the subject matter applicable in the midst of one's life. Devotional thoughts and appropriate hymns are provided to make this more than an academic enterprise, but also a spiritual experience. Also provided with each chapter is a bibliography that provides page references to the systematic works of leading Anglican, Arminian, Baptist, Dispensational, Lutheran, Reformed, Pentecostal, and Roman Catholic theologians on the doctrine just covered. This is very useful to pastors, classroom professors, and the inquiring layperson.

“While basically Reformed in doctrine and thus most appropriate for this journal, Grudem demonstrates an appreciation for the diversity of theological traditions within the Christian community. He wishes to major on the majors within the evangelical tradition, while not denying differences with regard to baptism, the Lord's Supper, church government, and the eschatological expectations of the future. Though not timid to state his understanding on doctrines (believers baptism, real presence [in the Lord’s Supper], congregational plurality of elders, historic premillenialism), Grudem hopes that 'a fresh look at Scripture may provoke anew examination of these doctrines and may perhaps prompt some movement not just toward greater understanding and tolerance of other viewpoints, but even toward greater doctrinal consensus in the church.'” (p.18)

9. No resource is perfect, but, for the reasons given, we believe Dr. Grudem’s text will be an important help to you.

B. Candidates are asked to purchase Ecumenical Creeds and Reformed Confessions, published by the Christian Reformed Church (Faith Alive Publications). The CRC commissioned fresh translations of the doctrinal standards which they share with the RCA: the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of the Synod of Dort. Reference will be made to various parts of those Standards.

C. Candidates will need to be able to refer to the various RCA forms for administering the sacraments, in Worship the Lord, 2005, Faith Alive, or in Liturgy and Confessions, 1990, Reformed Church Press, and in the RCA Directory for Worship. These can be borrowed from a pastor or purchased.

D. The Book of Church Order of the RCA will be supplied by Dr. Geschwendt. When amendments are added each year, a whole new edition is printed. But a current year’s edition should work for most things you are researching for several years.

E. Two books available from the RCA are The Church Speaks and The Church Speaks II. Both include papers from the RCA Commission on Theology. But some papers were never approved by an RCA General Synod, or were even rejected, so the books should be read carefully to see which papers had endorsement by a synod.

F. Over two dozen books have been published in the RCA Historical Series. They have a wide range, and some are very specialized, probably only of interest to historians, while some are exciting, especially some personal accounts by veteran missionaries. Some review events of RCA history, at times with much more detail than you need, and you would be advised to skim. If some volumes are available to you, skim before deciding to invest time in them.

G. Your pastor or church library may have some of the RCA resources you can borrow, and other theology resources.

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H.  Especially helpful are the encyclopedia, dictionaries, handbooks, etc., of theology, (New Dictionary of Theology, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology), missions (Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions), church history (Dictionary of the Christian Church, Dictionary of Christianity in America), etc. Some leading publishers are Eerdmans (a colorful, readable range of “Handbooks”), InterVarsity Press, Baker, and Zondervan.

I.  Pastor Tom Stark’s web site- tomstarkinlansing.com

has a number of RCA and other resources from which the appendices in

these case studies are taken. You may read, or download, or print off those

materials if you wish.

J.  Local libraries are usually a mixed bag. They tend to carry books that were popular sellers at one time, Bible commentaries of more liberal theological bent, but little systematic theology from a serious, evangelical Christian viewpoint. Ask your pastor or other knowledgeable friends before investing much money or time in uncertain resources.

K.  The Internet is even more unpredictable. Anything can pop up there, and there is no quick way of sorting out hundreds of references that say, for example, “the book of Romans”. Ask for help so you don’t go to the Internet like a sponge.

III. WHAT CAN IT MEAN TO “DO THEOLOGY”?

First, our suggestion is not to just read through Grudem’s chapters in sequence, though that would be acceptable. The case studies do not cover all the chapters in Grudem. And while the case studies follow the order of the chapters in Grudem, they need not be done in that order. You and your tutor may want to approach topics in a different order, to fit your needs and interests. If you need to read about something found earlier in Grudem’s text you will find that key subjects and terms are cross-referenced in the index. You can review earlier references that way.

Second, we want to emphasize our commitment that theology be based on Scripture. Theology does not have a life separate from Scripture, and we hope you will constantly seek to have a biblical basis for what you believe.

Third, a suggested procedure:

1.  Keep a notebook throughout. Otherwise, you may deeply regret that you didn’t have a better record than your memory will give you of interviews, articles, books, discussions, etc.

2.  Consult with your tutor on which case study to begin with. We don’t expect candidates to work on the studies in the same order. Perhaps issues in your congregation or ministry awake your special interest or challenge you in a certain area. If so, start there. With your tutor agree on the topic you will start with, possible teammates and your method of procedure. Listen seriously to your mentor’s input at this point, and agree on how often the two of you will touch base on this project- weekly, every other week, surely at least every three weeks.

3.  The chapters in Grudem and the assignments in the case studies are of varying lengths. You should not expect the case studies to require equal amounts of time.

4.  If you can pull together a team to work with you, that would be great. In our eyes this would not be an attempt to get others to do your work. You will be stimulated and sustained by the insights and interactions of others. Perhaps close friends, or people supporting you in this venture, or your spouse, or interested friends in your congregation, would like to tackle a case study with you. Share the guidelines with them, and ask them to meet with you.

5.  The results of your case study should be in typed form, as a response to the case study assignments and questions. Indicate how you did the assignments in the case study, and the conclusions which you arrived at.

6.  If at all possible sit down with someone you respect and go over the case study and your response, requesting their reactions.

7.  When you have finished the case studies, review them with your tutor, who will write an assessment to be sent with your completed case study to Dr. Ron Geschwendt, Coordinator of the Synod of the Great Lakes Commissioned Pastor Program. All this will become part of your portfolio.

8.  Not all candidates will need to go through all case studies. Perhaps enough past study and application are sufficient to omit some studies. This is a matter for frank exploration with your tutor, who would recommend the omission of certain case studies.

9.  We are new in this process. We welcome constructive suggestions for improvements in the case studies and the whole process.

IV. THE IMPORTANCE OF THEOLOGY IN A PASTOR’S LIFE

A number of serious questions are raised about the place of theology in pastoral ministry. Let’s consider some.

1.  Should a pastor emphasize knowing and teaching the Bible? No one should argue with that as the foundational approach for ministry. Being a student of the Word of God comes first, throughout our lifetimes. But there is an unavoidable tug to piece together different parts of the Bible, to summarize its teaching, to try to harmonize various passages. It is a lifelong challenge to use Scripture to interpret Scripture, to round out the full teaching of the Bible. Works of theology can help by focusing on the overall teaching of the Bible on different topics, such as war, suffering, or heaven. The basis needs to be the Bible, but we are helped by a clear summary from theology.

2.  Will theology go beyond the Bible, and just include the author’s ideas? It might, in at least two cases: first, less Biblical theologians feel little restraint about being faithful to the Bible, and their theologies may include a good deal of conjecture and their own ideas, unrestrained by agreement with the Bible. Second, some ambitious scholars, though Biblical at heart, get consumed by their scholarship, and introduce much more information than is useful for a busy pastor. If you have a 300 page commentary on Jude, or a 200 page theology on the laying on of hands, you should recognize that the author is a scholar, but that he is also taking you into too much detail from his study.