Introduction to Systematic Theology (Chapter 1)

Question 1

Any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic.

Answer 1

Systematic Theology

Question 2

The discipline that seeks to provide a defense of the truthfulness of the Christian faith for the purpose of convincing unbelievers.

Answer 2

Apologetics

Question 3

The study of the teaching of the individual authors and sections of the Bible and of the place of each teaching in the historical development of the Bible.

Answer 3

Biblical Theology

Question 4

Any study that answers the question, “What does God require us to feel, think and do today?” with regard to any given situation.

Answer 4

Christian Ethics

Question 5

The historical study of how Christians in different periods since the time of the New Testament have understood various theological topics.

Answer 5

Historical Theology

Question 6

The study of the teaching of the individual authors and sections of the New Testament, and of the place of each teaching in the historical development of the New Testament.

Answer 6

New Testament Theology

Question 7

The study of the teaching of the individual authors and sections of the Old Testament, and of the place of each teaching in the historical development of the Old Testament.

Answer 7

Old Testament Theology

Question 8

The study of theological topics that primarily employs the tools and methods of philosophical reasoning and uses information that can be known about God from observing the universe, but not information that comes from Scripture.

Answer 8

Philosophical Theology

Question 9

What the whole Bible teaches us today about some particular topic.

Answer 9

Doctrine

Question 10

A doctrine that has a significant impact on our thinking about other doctrines, or that has a significant impact on how we live the Christian life.

Answer 10

Major Doctrine

Question 11

A doctrine that has very little impact on how we think about other doctrines, and that has very little impact on how we live the Christian life.

Answer 11

Minor Doctrine

Question 12

An assumption that forms the beginning point of any study.

Answer 12

Presupposition

Question 13

The final commands of Jesus to the disciples, recorded in Matthew 28:18-20.

Answer 13

The Great Commission

Question 14

A set of two statements, one of which denies the other.

Answer 14

Contradiction

Question 15

A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true; an apparent but not real contradiction.

Answer 15

Paradox

Question 16

The idea that Scripture is not able to lead us astray in matters of faith and practice

Answer 16

Infallibility

Question 17

The self-authenticating nature of the Bible by which it convinces us that its words are God’s words

Answer 17

Self-Attesting

Question 18

Occurrences of different words in different ancient copies of the same verse of Scripture

Answer 18

Textual Variant