1. “Hodge’s Systematic Theology“ and TBN, Pentecostalists, Emergents, Liberals, Megachurchers, Contemporary Evangelicals. A few miscellaneous afterthoughts on “Systematic Theology” with help from Charles Hodge, “Systematic Theology, Volume One” (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1992), 20-40. A quick search reveals this and other deals in hard back and soft cover at: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=charles+hodge+systematic+theology&sprefix=charles+hodge2. Theology confines its work to natural and special revelation, notably the last since it is God’s corrective, directive, final, authoritative, infallible, sure and amplificatory revelation of Himself to fallen man. Natural theology, e.g. Psalm 19.1ff, Rom.1.18-20, reveals the glory and attributes of God, but the Word of God written is the canon and constitution of His Majesty’s Church.
3. All men are under condemnation throughout the nations, a theme little developed in many circles, even professed Bible and evangelical circles, where sin it is blighted, belittled, minimized, disturbed and adulterated by that obnoxious, self-sufficient and proud Arminianism. Their worship services have no corporate confession of sin or declaration of the remission thereof. On another front re: natural and special revelation, Rome, Billy Graham and some other semi-Pelagians have affirmed that any and all humans, “living up to the light of nature” (without the Gospel) will be saved. As for Rome, this is a departure from her past announcements that “outside the Church none will be saved.“ Emergents, e.g. Brian McClaren, and Protestant liberals of long-standing run from this doctrine of total depravity--altogether. Rick Warren and Church Growthers also diminish the issue of the condemnation of sinners and their inability to read Scriptures savingly. At this blog, http://reformationanglicanism.blogspot.com/, and this FB wall, http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=308173344359, we hold to total depravity. In relation to special revelation or the Bible, vis a vis Hodge’s point, God directed His inspired authors to “put it to the pen” so subsequent generations of sinners could read, mark, learn, inwardly digest, and be saved. We will develop the doctrine of Scripture and depravity, Lord willing, in later scribblings. Suffice it to note, that Hodge discusses natural revelation and the Bible at his point.
4. Hodge divided theology into five heads:
(1) Theology Proper--Being and Attributes of God, Trinity, Creation and Providence
(2) Anthropology--origin, fall and sin
(3) Soteriology or Salvation--Person and Word of the Redeemer (Christology), application of redemption, regeneration, justification and sanctification, and the means of grace
(4) Eschatology--intermediate state (after death), resurrection, second advent, general judgment, heaven and hell
(5) Ecclesiology--the Church, attributes, prerogatives and organization
5. Rather than five points, this scribe organizes it along six points: God, man, Christ, salvation, Church, and Eschatology.
6. There are some technicalities in this. Just as a brief comment on this. Systematic Theology requires the practitioner to be an exegete (hence, studied in the original languages), a Biblical Theologian (studying the development of doctrines within the Bible itself, as the “acorn” of revelation grows to “an oak tree“), an Historian (of the church and doctrinal developments) and a Practical Theologian. Am reminded of the sage dictum of the famous Lutheran theologian, Paul Althaus: “A theology is only as valuable as one is able to preach it.” (A reason this scribe didn’t pay continuing attention to Cornelius Van Til in earlier years…this does not deny valuable points he offered…but he never wrote clearly, an indecorous thing to do, and rarely did exegesis or historical theology.) Hodge, by the way, writes clearly and accessibly. A layman will do well to buy Hodge’s 3-volume set for review.
7. We would hasten to add for younger readers, that the great Reformation Confessions, notably the Westminster Standards (Confession, Larger and Shorter Catechisms), are tremendous “organizations” or “systematics” of the Bible. It is imperative to learn them. (The forum has recommended others as well.)
8. TBN--no systematics. You will never hear any of their money-grubbers teaching Biblical doctrines. Why? Money, market-share, teaching in accordance with “itchy ears” for no doctrine. Emergents--neo-liberals and a renascent form of the ancient heresy of Marcionitism. Non-confessional evangelicals? Their credo is “No Creed but Christ,” ergo, no systematic. No “man-made confessions” except their minimalist creed. Pentecostalists? They aren’t interested in doctrine, church history or a relationship between doctrine and life.
9. The simple question comes to every dear saint of God.
Who is God?
What about humanity and myself?
Who is Jesus Christ?
What is salvation about?
What is the church?
What about final things?
10. Serious Christians, young and old alike, want food. Not what is on offer with TBN, Pentecostalists, Emergents, Liberals, Arminians, Church Growthers, and Contemporary Evangelicals. Get away from these folks into a serious church.
11. Thank God for Confessional Christian Churchmen. Thank God for those who have not given up on old Prayer Book services either. We commend for your reading Dr. Scott Clark’s “Recovering the Reformed Confessions.” It’s a good start. See our beginning review at: http://reformationanglicanism.blogspot.com/2010/03/dr-r-scott-clarks-recovery-reformed.html
12. Make a difference in your circles by learning Systematic Theology. Don't let weak Pastors, weak churches, or your circle to govern your situation as many do. We are not of that breed. Help the young people.
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