SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY - Essay Example

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH AND INDIVIDUAL BELIVER due: Introduction According to (Doran, 2005:5),systematic theology is primarily the organization of the teachings of the Bible into definite systems. This can further be explained with the example of the information given in the Bible about angels. There is no one particular book that gives all the details and information about angels. Systematic theology takes all the information about angels from all the Bible books that talk about angels and organizes it to make angelology.

Systematic theology has various advantages as said by (Fiorenza, 20011:76) in that it ensures that all the Bible doctrines have a place in the Christian’s understanding; every doctrine is analyzed exhaustively from the entire scriptures so that nothing is overlooked. It also ensures that a Christian’s understanding of any given doctrine is the most current and up to date. Systematic theology also gives order so that the information acquired by the people is not forgotten due to information overflow.

Importance of the application of the doctrines in the life of a believer. Application of the Bible doctrine is the purpose behind studying it. By applying these doctrines, we accept to change the old ways and embrace the moral teachings of the doctrines into our lives. The Bible doctrine teachings give us the directions of good Christian living that help us to overcome temptations in the day to day lives. (Mclaughlin, 2013:3) Says “application of Bible doctrine is the only way to handle people.

This is something you should never, ever forget because you will have to deal with people throughout your life”. This is because we meet different kinds of people every day and some are difficult to deal with. This happens to everyone, and it can happen anywhere; at school, at work, in the church and other places. When face with difficult people who like to argue and insult people for no apparent reason, or people who do not have good moral values, we would be tempted to handle them by getting to their level insult them back or throw a few blows as well but the aspect of applying Bible doctrines into our lives keeps us from behaving like normal, ordinary people.

We instead apply the teachings of patience, understanding, compassion for others and humility. The church uses the doctrines and encourages Christians to apply the Bible doctrines into our lives so they can acquire the certain Christian qualities that are reflected in our morals. Some of these qualities include; love- we are able to love all people just like Christ loves the church, leadership- we as Christians area able to be examples for others to follow as we learn real time leadership qualities from the doctrines, lowliness- we are able to emulate the example set by Jesus for being graceful and having humility, labor- being Christians we are encouraged to be hard working because the doctrine teaches against idleness and slothfulness.

Lastly, we also gain the quality of liberality, where the doctrines teach that God loves a cheerful giver. This quality is helpful to the needy in our communities. By applying the Bible doctrines, we are set apart from the rest of the world because we become different in ever thing that we do. The inter-relationship of the various doctrines (Rail 1980: 23) says that one of Calvin’s most pervasive and irrefragable doctrines is that the substance and the benefits of Christ are distinct but not separate, in fact they are inseparable.

Rail goes on to say that where Christ is, there are his benefits, and where the benefits of Christ are offered, so is the whole Christ offered. This means that even if the doctrines are written as many different topics they all have a general purpose that is to educate Christians on the path to follow as true believers of Christ. According to (Penner, 2011:32) there are many doctrines, but the most common and basic ones include the doctrine of repentance, the doctrine of God the father, the doctrine of God the son, the doctrine of God the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of salvation, the doctrine of atonement and the doctrine of Baptism to mention but a few.

All these and others help new Christians and all Christians in general in understanding the Bible better. The church uses these many doctrines to assist Christians in their daily lives so as to grow into strong independent believers of Christ who can study the Bible on their own with the help of the doctrine teachings. The application of systematic theology in the decision making process The Teaching of the Church on Social Issues like decision making are in line with some basic principles that the Church formulated over the centuries to guide Christians in good social living.

These are very useful to know and remember in approaching any decision we have to make. Being alive means that we have to constantly make decisions and not just any decision but sound decisions that match our Christian moral values. The church has formulated social doctrines that have principles that help Christians in the decision making process. According to (Adreasw 2011: 12), some of these principles include; the principle of solidarity- this holds that a Christian exercises their freedom to defend others rights and the pursuit of the general good in the community, the principle of personalism- recognizes the value of each human person as it holds that the right thinking brings development, and it usually starts with an individual human person.

The principle of the general good recognizes that the common good is larger than one’s owns advancement. It also holds that a Christian should exercise their rights so that they contribute to the general welfare of society, not simply their own individual development. These principles give Christians the freedom to make decisions of any kind but direct these decisions towards the benefit of the community at large as it is the Christian duty to lead the society in the right direction socially, morally and spiritually.

They also guide Christians to make sound Christian like decisions. Critical approach and conclusion Systematic theology is important to the church and an individual believer for the breakdown of the Bible teachings into digestible segments makes the teaching of the Christian faith easy, enjoyable and very manageable as opposed to studying the faith one large doctrine. The doctrines summarises the Christian beliefs as illustrated in the Bible and present them to Christians. This saves time because all the Bible teachings are grouped together from all parts of the Bible.

Systematic theology helps Christians to grow spiritually through the sub-divisions that are meant to strengthen, encourage and uplift christens in their faith. In conclusion, we believe that systematic theology is beneficial to both the church and individual Christians as it is the backbone of the teachings of the Christian faith. References ANDREASW. (2011). Decision making help from the Catholic social doctrine principles. The Pope and the CEO. Retrieved from http://www.thepopeandtheceo/thechurch/catholic-social-doctrine-principles/ DORAN, R. M. (2005).

What is systematic theology? Toronto, University of Toronto Press FLORENZA, F. S., & GALVIN, J. P. (2011). Systematic theology Roman Catholic perspective. Minneapolis, Fortress Press. http://www.search.ebschost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&AN=517786. MCLAUGHLIN, R. (2013). The doctrine application. Retrieved from http://www.gbible.org/inderx.php?proc=pre&sf=rea&tid=1417 PENNER, M. (2011). The manifold grace of God: as it relates to various Bible doctrines: illustrated by the parable of the prodigal son.

Denver, Colo, DreamMaker Press. RAILL, J. (1980). The inter-related principles in Calvin’s unique doctrine of infant baptism. Vol. 11, No. 1. The Sixteenth Century Journal of the Divinity School, Duke University.