Unit 4561: Systematic Theology

1. Introduction to Systematic Theology

• Definition and scope of systematic theology
• Purpose and importance of systematic study
• Methods and sources: Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience
• Relationship to other theological disciplines

2. The Doctrine of God

• The nature of God: existence and being
• Attributes of God: aseity, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, immutability, holiness, love, justice
• The character of God as revealed in Scripture
• Theological implications of God's attributes

3. The Doctrine of the Trinity

• Historical development of Trinitarian doctrine
• Biblical foundations for the Trinity
• Understanding the unity and diversity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• Theological significance and implications of the Trinity

4. Christology: The Doctrine of Christ

• The person of Jesus Christ: fully God and fully man
• The incarnation: theological meaning and significance
• Life and ministry of Jesus
• Death and atonement
• Resurrection and ascension
• The second coming of Christ
• Major Christological debates and controversies (e.g. Chalcedonian definition)

5. Pneumatology: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

• Identity and personhood of the Holy Spirit
• Role of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity
• Work of the Holy Spirit in creation, inspiration, and regeneration
• The Spirit's role in the life of believers and the church
• Gifts and fruit of the Spirit

6. Anthropology: The Doctrine of Humanity

• Theological understanding of human nature
• Creation of humanity in the image of God
• The nature and effects of sin
• Human free will and responsibility
• The purpose and destiny of humanity

7. Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation

• Biblical teachings on salvation
• Theories of atonement: ransom, satisfaction, moral influence, penal substitution, Christus Victor
• Role of faith and works in salvation
• Predestination and election
• The process of salvation: justification, sanctification, glorification

8. Ecclesiology: The Doctrine of the Church

• Nature and definition of the church
• Purpose and mission of the church
• Church structure and government: episcopal, presbyterian, congregational
• The sacraments/ordinances: baptism and the Lord's Supper
• The unity and diversity of the church

9. Eschatology: The Doctrine of Last Things

• Christian teachings on death and the intermediate state
• Judgment: individual and final
• Heaven and hell: biblical perspectives
• The return of Christ and the resurrection of the dead
• The ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom

10. Theological Methodology

• Approaches to systematic theology: deductive, inductive, synthetic
• Use of Scripture as the primary source
• Role of tradition, reason, and experience
• Contextualization and interdisciplinarity in theology
• Challenges and contemporary issues in theological method