Theological Method Explained
In this lesson we will cover
How We Study God.
Foundational principles
historical perspectives
contemporary approaches
Practical Application
Each of these parts works together with the theological method.
By the end of this lesson you will
Gain a comprehensive understanding of God, foundational principles, understand the theological method, and His divine attributes.
We will divide this lesson into 4 parts: Lets start by defining the theological method : how a person approaches the interpretation of the Bible and how they arrive at the doctrinal implications of that interpretation.
So how are you interpreting what you are reading? and how are you coming to those conclusions?
00:06:03
Justification: Making Things Right
Imagine you made a mistake, but someone forgave you and made things right. That's the concept of justification. In Systematic Theology, it's like getting a fresh start, a clean slate.
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." - Romans 5:1 (NIV)
Why Justification Matters:
Justification is like a second chance, a new beginning. It means that God forgives our mistakes and accepts us, even though we've done wrong.
It's a reminder that we don't have to carry the burden of our errors. God's justification is like a helping hand, saying, "Let's start again."
The Dynamic Trio: Grace, Faith, and Justification
These three concepts—grace, faith, and justification—are closely connected. Grace is the gift, faith is the way we receive it by believing, and justification is the result, making things right between us and God.
In Systematic Theology, we learn that it's not about earning our way to God's love or trying to be perfect. It's about accepting the incredible gift of grace, having faith to believe in it, and experiencing justification, where our relationship with God is mended and renewed.
00:06:25
In this lecture we will discuss God's Attributes and why they are so important to make sure you understand clearly.
By the end of this lesson you will be able to clearly define each attribute with a clearer understanding of God
So what are the Divine Attributes
The concept of Divine Attributes refers to the qualities that are often associated with God. These attributes highlight His nature and power. Three fundamental divine attributes are omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. Let's explore each attribute in a little more detail.
1. Omniscience: God's All-Knowing Nature
Omniscience represents God's complete knowledge and understanding of all things. He knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future. The Bible provides several verses that support this concept. For example, in Psalm 147:5 (NIV), we read, "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit." This verse tell us that God's knowledge surpasses human comprehension, and He possesses perfect understanding. Similarly, 1 John 3:20 (NIV) states, "If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." These verses teach us that God knows even the deepest secrets of our hearts and has a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of our lives.
In simple terms, God's omniscience means that He knows everything there is to know. He is aware of our thoughts, desires, and actions. This attribute provides comfort and reassurance, knowing that God sees and understands everything we go through.
2. Omnipotence: God's All-Powerful Nature
Omnipotence signifies God's unlimited power and ability to do anything. He is the almighty creator of the universe. In Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV), we read, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." This verse highlights that God's power is extraordinary, and there is nothing beyond His capability. Another verse, Matthew 19:26 (NIV), states, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" These words from Jesus remind us that God's power extends beyond human limitations.
God's omnipotence assures us that He is in control of all circumstances and can accomplish anything according to His will. It gives us hope and encourages us to trust in His ability to work miracles in our lives.
3. Omnipresence: God's Everywhere-Present Nature
Omnipresence refers to God's presence being everywhere at all times. He is not limited by physical boundaries or constrained by time. In Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV), we find these words, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." These verses capture the idea that God's presence encompasses the entire universe.
00:04:50
Theology can be a complicated subject with alot to go over.
My goal is to make that much more simple for you with this course.
I’m Chris San Rocco: Founder and Speaker at San Rocco Studies and I began studying years ago and at times the information was dense and difficult to understand. Spending endless hours taking notes, putting what I thought was a complete study together, to go back and have to do it again.
Learning systematic theology should be fun and interactive.
The crazy thing is, I could've done all of this twice as fast.
In fact, I've made a bunch of mistakes and I almost quit after a few short months into the journey.
But, this all changed when I discovered something really important about being my own journey as a creator.
"LEARNING THEOLOGY SHOULD BE FUN! 😀"
IT IS A LIFE LONG PROCESS AND SKILL TO MASTER BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS A FASTER APPROACH TO GETTING THE RIGHT INFORMATION IN A CONCISE PACKAGE!
And the simple strategies, tools, and principles that work can also be used to help us in our studies and faith! That's it. That's the secret.
The challenges when learning theology
Long Books: We love reading and would never say to stop but when wanting to learn a specialized subject such as Theology, we have found that Video is a wonderful way to learn while you get to interact.
Complicated material : There are a lot of very knowledgeable people out there but if that information is not presented properly its hard to stay focused on
Sound Doctrine: We are big believers in looking at everything on the context it was written.
THERE CAN BE ALOT OF CONFUSION AND MIXED MESSAGES AROUND THEOLOGY AND LEARNING WHAT IS CORRECT SOUND DOCTRINE FROM WHAT IS NOT. THERE ARE TOPICS WE NEED AND WANT TO HAVE THE RIGHT ANSWERS FOR…
WHAT'S IN THE COURSE?
The Systematic Theology for Anyone course is a self-paced online course, with 3+ hours of content across 20+ lessons, where you'll learn everything there is to know about theology and how to apply it to life in practical terms.
In particular, we'll be taking a deep dive into the principles, lessons, and tools we can use to achieve consistent and sustainable growth, giving you a bunch of actionable + timeless insights you can use immediately.
By The End of This Course...
YOU'LL HAVE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF FOUNDATIONAL CHRISTIAN BELIEFS.
🟢Enhanced ability to critically analyze and interpret theological concepts.
🟢Improved knowledge of the historical development of Christian doctrine.
🟢Strengthened faith and a more profound connection to one's spirituality.
🟢Skills for engaging in meaningful theological discussions and debates.
The part of the course will cover
key theological themes such as the nature of God
the doctrine of creation
the significance of human existence
the nature of Christ
Salvation
eschatology
and more...
By structuring the material in a systematic manner, students are able to grasp the interconnectedness of theological concepts and develop a robust framework for understanding their faith.
One key aspect of this Chapter of the course is the examination of primary sources, including sacred scriptures, historical theological writings, and doctrinal statements. You will engage in critical analysis and interpretation of these sources, gaining a deeper insight into the historical development of theological ideas and the diversity of perspectives within a religious tradition. This approach encourages intellectual rigor and fosters a nuanced understanding of the richness and complexity of theological discourse.
Furthermore, this chapter of the Bible training course should encourage you to engage in constructive theology, where they apply theological principles to contemporary issues and challenges. This involves the exploration of how theological doctrines can inform ethical decision-making, social justice initiatives, and responses to contemporary cultural issues. By connecting theology to real-world concerns, students are equipped to apply their learning in meaningful ways, fostering a deeper integration of faith and practice.
Overall, this systematic theology course serves as a foundational and intellectually stimulating exploration of the core tenets of a religious tradition, providing students with the tools to critically engage with their faith and the broader world.
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