Road Trippin With Rachael

What is Systematic Theology

With each week of our Advent study, I want to be sure that I clearly define what I’m talking about when referencing the different types of theology. During the first week of Advent, we discussed how we see the study of God building on itself through the story of scripture. For example, by the time that we make it to Matthew, we have a much more developed view of who God is than we did when we read the first chapter of Genesis. 

When we are discussing Systematic Theology, we are taking the gamit of scripture and building theological statements based on what all of scripture has to say about a specific topic.  Most theology textbooks used in colleges and seminaries are going to be systematic theology textbooks. 

Today, we are going to be going through the process of developing a systematic theology of Christmas. Some of these verses you may recognize from Week 1 of Advent, but as we plumb the depths of scripture, hopefully you’ll see how we can develop a theological stance on a subject. Granted, I’m highly doubtful that this will be a make or break stance for anyone’s salvation, but I think getting a peak at the process can be helpful as you or those around you are coming to conclusions during their own faith journeys. 

The Process

To begin, we need to go through scripture to find verses that generally reference the bigger picture – in this case the coming Jesus as a baby. A common argument against systematic theology is that you tend to cherry pick verses – yes, but by pulling verses you are amassing a database of verses. Where people go wrong is when they select verses and then use them out of context to support their point. What I want to do with the verses that are below is keep them in the context they are originally written. As you read through them, you will see that they are all references to the advent of the Messiah. They explain who he is, what he will do, where he is born

Genesis 3:15; Numbers 24:17; Ruth 1-4; II Samuel 7; Psalm 72:10; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Haggai 2:20-23; Micah 5:2; Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 1; Luke 1:5-25; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-7; John 1:1, 14.

Once we have our verses, we need to work through creating a statement articulating clearly what is being said in the above verses. Some statements will have their verses referenced after each section pertaining to them, and others will have all the verses grouped at the end. I think I’m going to go with the first  to demonstrate how I am forming my thoughts. Below are my notes on the verses.

• Genesis 3:15 – Presence of Eve’s descendant will be hostile to the deceiver
• Numbers 24:17 – there will be a king who will arise like a star
• Ruth 1-4 – those with a heart for God can be redeemed into his promise
• II Samuel 7 – David’s house is established and his line will remain
• Psalm 72:10-11 – Kings will come to offer tribute to the King
• Isaiah 11:1 – The line of David will survive even when it looks like it’s been cut off
• Jeremiah 23:5-6 – the continued line of David will bring peace
• Haggai 2:13 – The line of David continues and will have authority even after the exile to babylon
• Micah 5:2 – Christ will be born in Bethlehem
• Malachi 4:5-6 – a prophet like Elijah will come before the Christ
• Matthew 1 – Genealogy of Jesus showing Abraham and David
• Luke 1:5-25 – miraculous birth of John the Baptist predicted by the angel Gabriel
• Luke 1:27 – 38 – (v.27) records that Jesus is of line of David; (v32) Will be Son of the Most High and sit on the throne of David; (v.35) conceived of the Holy Spirit; (v.36) John the Baptist is going to be born to Elizabeth – a miraculous event. 
• Luke 2:1-7 – (v.4) Joseph goes to Bethlehem with Mary; (v.7) Christ is born in Bethlehem.
• John 1:1, 14 – Christ has been since the beginning, and is God. He chose to become human, to dwell among humanity, and we have seen God’s glory through him. 

Now that I have my notes, I need to begin to put together the statement. This is where it would be helpful to be a wordsmith – one who is able to put words together. But I think based on my notes I should be able to come up with something decent.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:1-7) born to the virgin Mary, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), descended from King David (II Samuel 7; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Haggai 2:13; Matthew 1; Luke 1:27-34), being the incarnation of God and existing before the creation of the world (John 1:1 & 14),  proceeded by the birth of John the Baptist (Malachi 4:5-6; Luke 1:5-25), and ultimately fulfilling the word of God given to Eve (Genesis 3:15). This is as much a time of remembrance as it is celebration.

Is this a perfect statement? No. But is it a true statement? Yes. It is the remembering of how God fulfills his promise in Genesis, and how we see all these other prophecies coming together, that we are able to celebrate who God is, and what he has done. Christmas isn’t just about getting presents, spending time with family, or even doing something for others. It is remembering that God is faithful. He is so faithful that he came to earth as a baby to live among his creation and to take the place for our sins on the cross, presenting us the gift of forgiveness for our sins and eternal life – if we will accept it.