Summary of "¿Qué es la teología?: Fundamentos con R.C. Sproul"
Overview
Systematic theology: the orderly, comprehensive study of the main doctrines revealed in Scripture and how they fit together into a coherent whole.
R. C. Sproul introduces and defines systematic theology, contrasts it with the academic study of religion, and defends a classical, scripturally grounded “systematic” approach. He explains common objections and articulates why a disciplined, coherent study of doctrine is both legitimate and necessary for a Christian institution.
Main ideas and concepts
Etymology and scope
- The suffix “-logy” comes from the Greek logos (word/idea/reason). Theology = theos (God) + -logy → the study of the Word/logic/being of God.
- Theology is broader than theology proper (study of God). It includes branches that treat revealed topics, e.g.:
- Christology
- Pneumatology
- Hamartiology
- Eschatology
Theology vs. religion
- “Religion” (in academic study) typically examines human practices, rituals, and the sociology/anthropology of worship.
- “Theology” addresses God as He reveals Himself — a supernatural, objective revelation. In a Christian institution, God’s truth should be the organizing principle.
- Historical note: the medieval view called theology the “queen of the sciences” (with philosophy as servant); modern universities tend to replace theology with religion departments.
What “systematic” means and common objections
- “Systematic” means arranging doctrines into an ordered, coherent, integrated whole — it does not mean imposing an external philosophical system on Scripture.
- Common objections arise from modern philosophical trends (existentialism, relativism, pluralism) that are suspicious of grand systems and objective truth.
- A genuine critique is made of a bad form of systematic theology that forces Scripture into a preexisting philosophical system (the Procrustean-bed critique). Classical systematic theology seeks the system implicit in Scripture rather than reading Scripture through a foreign philosophical lens.
Assumptions underlying classical systematic theology
A faithful systematic theology proceeds from several basic convictions: - The Bible is the authoritative revelation of God (the special, complete logos of God). - God’s revelation is coherent and intelligible — God is orderly, not the author of confusion. - Despite diversity of authors, times, and topics, Scripture has unity, coherence, consistency, and rational intelligibility because it reflects one God. - Therefore theology can and should seek the internal unity and coherence of biblical teaching.
Method and role of the systematic theologian
- Systematic theology surveys the whole scope of Scripture and asks how all parts fit together.
- The systematic theologian depends on biblical scholarship (Old and New Testament specialists) and integrates those findings into a synthesized, organized account.
- The aim is to discover the system present in Scripture, not to read Scripture through an extrabiblical philosophical lens.
Value and difficulty
- Producing a perfect systematic theology is impossible, but the discipline reveals the symmetry and interrelatedness of biblical truth: one doctrine impacts many others.
- Students and teachers must constantly trace how doctrines interrelate (for example, how the cross relates to the incarnation and the virgin birth).
Methodology — practical steps for doing systematic theology
- Start from the Bible as authoritative revelation.
- Assume coherence: expect unity, consistency, and intelligibility in Scripture.
- Collect and examine all relevant biblical texts on a topic (survey the whole canon).
- Use insights from biblical specialists (OT and NT scholarship) as input — do not work in isolation.
- Synthesize the biblical data and organize teachings into categories (e.g., God, Christ, Spirit, salvation, sin, last things).
- Test interpretations for coherence with the whole: check that a proposed doctrine harmonizes with other doctrines and the overall revelation of God.
- Avoid imposing a prior philosophical system; let Scripture’s own teaching and internal logic shape the theological “system.”
- Recognize limits: aim for careful, coherent synthesis while admitting no single theologian attains perfect completeness.
Illustrative anecdote
Sproul recounts visiting a Christian university that renamed its “Department of Theology” to “Department of Religion.” He uses this to illustrate the difference between studying human religion (sociological, natural) and studying theology (God’s revelation, supernatural).
Philosophical context and warnings
- Modern trends such as existentialism, relativism, and pluralism have influenced culture and some theological attitudes by denying grand, objective systems and universal truth.
- Proper systematic theology resists relativism by affirming the unity and intelligibility of biblical revelation.
Key takeaway
Systematic theology is the disciplined task of reading the whole Bible, discerning the unity and coherence of divine revelation, and organizing doctrines into a consistent, intelligible whole — always guided by Scripture rather than by extrabiblical philosophical impositions.
Speakers / sources featured
- Speaker: R. C. Sproul
- Biblical source referenced: Gospel of John (logos)
- Philosophical figures/concepts mentioned: existentialism, Descartes (rationalism), John Locke (empiricism), relativism, pluralism
- Illustrations/myth referenced: Procrustes (Procrustean bed)
- Theological/disciplinary terms referenced: Christology, Pneumatology, Hamartiology, Eschatology
- Historical reference: medieval claim that theology was “queen of the sciences”
Category
Educational
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