Systematic Theology-Prolegomena Pt. 5: Studying Theology

Introduction

The prolegomena discussion now proceeds to how one must study theology. If we are to delineate any true theology, we need to understand how to study the discipline. In this article, I will discuss the motives to study theology, the students of theology, preparation for it, and materials necessary in the study. For one to undertake a correct study of theology, there is both academic factual knowledge and spiritual dispositions one must develop. Both of these aspects will be touched upon in their sections.


Motives to Study

In order for anyone to desire to study any discipline, there must be reasons why. Mankind is motivated to study medicine since it heals and thus procures a practical benefit. We are also motivated to study philosophy since everything naturally seeks its own perfection, which in the case of the intellect, is knowledge. So, philosophy focuses on gaining a theoretical understanding on first principles. Thus, theology has its own motives. Firstly, its excellence entices us to study it which stems, as Maastricht notes, from five different things: its divine origin (Gal. 1:1; Jam. 3:17; 2 Cor. 4:6), the majesty of its subject-God (1 Cor. 2:6-7; Prov. 2:5; Phil. 3:8; 1 Cor. 2:2), its end glorifies God and procures salvation for man, its immutability, and finally its purity (Jam 3:17). Secondly, the delightfulness it brings to the mind in contemplation of it is a reason (Ps. 19:8; 119:103; Prov. 2:10; 24:13-14; Job 23:12). It can also be added that the study of theology is necessary, because without it, there can be no salvation (Is. 53:11; Jn. 17:3). Put differently, ignorance of theology is soul-damning (Eph. 4:18-19; Jer. 31:33-34; Ps. 79:6; 2 Thess. 1:8-9; 2 Cor. 4:3). We can further add the subjects who correctly study it: the church militant and the church triumphant. Thus, from all these reasons, it is plain to the regenerate heart why one must study theology. From these reasons, we also gather that theology is the most noble and greatest discipline of all the sciences. In the discussion on the genus of theology (scientia and sapientia), I will further show why theology is the queen of the sciences.


Who Should? Who is Able? How Much?

Before I discuss how one should study theology, we need to determine who should. I answer that all who are able should study it, for why would one able to study it not on account of the motives provided. The natural question that arises is who is actually able to study theology? I answer that only regenerate Christians can properly study theology, since only those who indwelt with the Holy Spirit can judge spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:15). Every person who places their faith in Christ necessarily has some knowledge of theology. It is every Christian’s duty to know the God they serve and their savior Jesus Christ. The motives to study theology reach all, and thus all should study theology. Establishing that all Christians have a duty to be theologians, does it follow that every Christian must study equally and ascertain to the same degree of knowledge? It does not. The degree to which one must study theology is dependent on their vocation. Ministers and teachers (ordained or seminary) are held to a higher standard of theological expertise than the ordinary laymen since it is their calling to expound Scripture and defend it against its opponents (which would necessarily include apologists in this list). It is their duty to lead the flock in the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and not lead them astray. To a lesser degree than that of pastors and teachers, parents are also held to a higher standard of theological knowledge since it is their duty to raise up their children in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord. All laymen should study theology enough to where they can understand, teach, and defend their church’s confession of faith and catechisms. With the right reasons and subjects to study theology laid down, I will proceed to the preparation and correct disposition one must have to study theology.


Preparation of the Inward Disposition

In this article, I would like to highlight the balance of the subjective disposition and objective knowledge. To study theology, we (the subjective-i.e. within us) must be prepared and have the right qualities, but we also must ascertain knowledge of related disciplines (the objectve-i.e. outside of us). This theme will be found throughout the prolegomena and is well-stated by Muller in Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics: “[D]istinctions between theology in itself and theology in the subject, between theological knowledge and the inward intellectual disposition necessary to apprehend that knowledge, and between the faith that is believed and the faith by which we believe, is not only characterized by precision of definition but also by a profound and careful balancing of the objective and the subjective elements as well as the ontological and epistemological aspects of the subject.” Firstly, the student of theology must be pious or have a holy fear of God, for true knowledge (scientia) and wisdom (sapientia) begins there (Prov. 9:10). This piousness also consists in a zeal for the goals of theology: the glory of God and man’s salvation, all of which stems from a love of Christ and his gospel. Furthermore, the student must be teachable and free from hatred and pride. The student must also cultivate his natural gifts of simple apprehension, judgment, and reasoning, memory, eagerness in study, and communication with others. All these qualities mentioned are to be maintained and improved through spiritual discipline by the Holy Spirit. So, the study of theology ought not be detached from personal piety, for without it, the the right disposition would be lost.


Preparation of the Outward Knowledge

The second aspect we have yet to discuss is the objective. A preparation in intellectual knowledge is immensely helpful in the study of theology. This includes studies of the liberal arts, both the trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric) and the quadrivium (arithmetic-number in the abstract, geometry-number in space, music-number in time, astronomy-number in space and time). Through these studies we learn memory and proper judgment. On top of these liberal arts, studies in the various sciences are also necessary, such as philosophy (ontology, epistemology, ethics). Moreover, linguistic studies in Latin, Hebrew, and Greek are important in reading the Scriptures and church fathers in their native languages. A study of history, culture, and geography also help in interpreting texts distant from out own time. We can also add to the list a study of ecclesiastical history with canon law and the works of the church fathers across all eras.


Materials of Theology

After preparation in the subjective and objective aspects, we come to the materials of study for the theology student. Primarly and principally of course is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. In this stage, annotated bibles, study bibles, exgetical commentaries are all necessary. From this exgesis, as noted in one of the previous articles, the systematic is built (movement from exegesis to dogma). Thus, systematic theologies from various eras are to be read. Polemics naturallly follows dogmatics, and thus studies of controversies and polemical literature is due for study. Finally, practical theology follows because all true theology entices man to worship and obey God. A student of theology must also be able to communicate all of his findings with others which is why logic and rehtoric are necessary. Each of these topics mentioned denote the flow of theological study which moves from exgesis, to system, to polemics, to practice. Petrus Van Maastricht’s Theoretical-Practical Theology delineates all of these topics in one multi-volume work; however, in this series of articles I will be picking up the middle part of system and polemics.


Conclusion

After this brief discussion of how one must study theology, you are probably thinking this is impossible. However, we must note again the degree to which one must study theology varies by subject. Therefore, the degree of the objective knowledge one has is proportionate to the degree he must study theology. Again, the pastor or teacher should be well-versed in the other disciplines to aid in his study theology, but a layman may only have to dip his toes into those areas. I am profoundly insufficient in many of these areas, especially in the linguistic category. However, I am not yet a teacher in the truest sense of the word. Hopefully, this article showed the amount of effort one has to put into theology but also does not make it seem a daunting task with the explanation of degrees; however, this was a common curriculum for the student of theology for the majority of the Christian West which has declined in modern times. To apply, buy some books, read, pray, and go to church where you receive the means of grace. You need it all to properly study theology. In the next article, we finally get to the definition of theology. You heard that right, we are just now getting to the definition.

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