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Birmingham Theological Seminary

2200 Briarwood Way

Birmingham, AL 35243-2923

(205) 776-5650

Fall 2016

ST3526 Systematic Theology I

Professor: Robert M. Alexander Jr. Cell 205- 862-0573

Class Hours: 2

COURSE PURPOSE

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an overview of Systematic Theology. To teach them skills for developing a Christian mind set, by helping them construct a solid foundation for thinking through important theological issues. We will begin by establishing the reality and nature of truth and then learn that rightly interpreted Scripture is the final arbiter of truth. They will learn about various sources for theology and the way that different people use and misuse these sources. This course endeavors to enable people to think theologically and construct a biblical worldview that makes the Christian’s witness relevant to all people in need.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. The student will understand that theology is more than just an academic

discipline, but also it is a fountain from which they can daily drink.

2. The student will know the different resources from which they can obtain a basic knowledge of the history of theology, and truth.

3. The student will explore the exegetical basis of the doctrines studied, and develop a broader perspective of theology.

4. The students will understand the legitimate of Systematic Theology, and in general learn how theology is done within the Christendom.

5. The students will critically evaluate their own theological method and

worldview by learning how to test and critique the validity of their core beliefs.

6. The student will be able to discuss the nature of God’s sovereignty and its relationship

to human responsibility.

COURSE TEXTS

Required Texts:

The two required systematic theologies complement one another. Berkhof’s, originally printed in 1941, is the older classic, but contains some dated material. Grudem’s highly regarded theology deals with more contemporary issues, is somewhat easier to read, and is very pastoral.

  1. Louis Berkhof, Introduction to Systematic Theology, ISBN 0-8028-3020-X

2.  Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,

ISBN 978-0-310-28670-7

  1. Packer, J. I. Knowing God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1973.
  1. Benson, Clarence H. Biblical Essentials the One True God, Published by Crossway Books. ISBN 1–58134–573–9 also in Logos
  1. Study Bible
  1. Logos Bible Software

Collateral Texts

1.  Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations University of

Chicago Press ISBN 0226816273

COURSE REQUIREMENT

1.Class attendance is mandatory: without the professor’s permission, more than two unexcused absences will drop your final grade one letter grade.

2.Complete the readings from the required texts on time and participate in class discussions. The reading requirement for Certificate level students is approximately half that required for Masters level students and is listed in the Class and Reading Schedule below.

3.Do not merely summarize the contents; rather evaluate the book’s strengths and weaknesses. As you read, ask yourself and answer these questions, read critically:

·  Begin your critique with the bibliographic information (Title, author, publisher, place and date of publication) of the book you have chosen to critique.

·  Write a brief summary of the main theme and any major secondary themes of the author. I do not want a book review. I already know the content. Just give me enough to show you have read and digested the material.

·  Include your analysis of the arguments the author sets forth. Your analysis should be focused primarily upon how faithfully you think the author has interpreted and applied the Scripture.

·  Evaluate how they have either succeeded or failed in taking into account all of Scripture (in other words, is it a systematic argument or simply a use of some isolated proof texts?) citing instances from the book to support your evaluation.

·  Tell me why you agree or disagree with their conclusion(s), using the Scriptures to support any differing views you may hold.

·  Conclude with a paragraph that states what you have gained personally AND professionally from reading this book.

5. Exams- Final

6. Write a 10-12-page theological paper on the following topic:

Sovereignty of God

This paper should include the following:

1. A title page
2. A table of contents
3. An introduction
4. A thesis statement
5. The text (should include)
a) A definition of the doctrine
b) A historical overview
c) A biblical defense of the doctrine
d) An application of the doctrine to your discipline of study
6. A conclusion – Giving a summary of the paper’s contents

Exegetical Paper

1.  MASTERS STUDENTS ONLY: Write a 10-12-page paper discussing and applying an area of systematic theology. Should have a minimum of ten (10) scholarly references other than your required texts, along with proper citations of footnotes and bibliography. (1) All references should come from your Logos software. This paper is due at the last day of class.

2.  No less than 10 pages and no more than 12 pages typed (double spaced);
12 fonts. Times New Roman.

  1. CERTIFICATE STUDENTS ONLY: instead of the research paper above, complete the following short (2-3 pp.) papers. These papers should be crisp and clear, to the point, with no excess verbiage. The ministry requires not only verbal skills but written communication skills as well.

4.  Logos must be used for your research paper at least half of the references must come from Logos.

5.  Be sure to use this outline (above) for writing your theological paper, and points will be taken off if this format is not used.

GRADING

1. Theological paper (35 points)
2. Reading (10 points)

3. Book Critique (20 points)
4. Final examination (30 points)

5. Class Attendance (5 points)

BTS Format and Style Standards

BTS uses the Turabian style of formatting as a standard for papers. However, students should regard individual professor preferences if they communicate any variance in outlining their requirements for papers, as in this class (see below). Professors retain discretion in determining how “formal” a paper must be. In this technological age, information is readily available; make sure that you understand about giving reference sources the proper recognition.

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

1. Theological paper, due December 8

2. Book Critique due

Oct.06, 2016: Packer, J. I. Knowing God.

Nov. 17, 2016 Benson, Clarence H. Biblical Essentials the One True God,

3. December 8, 2016 Final exam

4. Assigned reading

Sept. 08, 2016:

Berkhof, Introduction, 15-47

Grudem, 21-53

Sept. 15, 2016:

Grudem, 54-104

Sept. 22, 2016:

Berkhof, Introduction, 48-77

Grudem, 105-140

Sept. 29, 2016:

Berkhof, Introduction, 78-108

Grudem, 141-184

Oct.06, 2016:

Berkhof, Introduction, 109-143

Grudem, 185-225

Packer, J. I. Knowing God. Book Critique is due

Oct. 13, 2016:

No class, fall break

Oct. 20, 2016:

Berkhof, Introduction, 144-186

Grudem, 226-261

Oct. 27, 2016:

Berkhof, Systematic, 19-51

Grudem, 262-314

Nov. 03, 2016

Berkhof, Systematic, 52-81

Grudem, 315-354

Nov. 10, 2016

Berkhof, Systematic, 82-108

Grudem, 355-396

Nov. 17, 2016

Berkhof, Systematic, 108-149

Grudem, 397-411

Benson, Clarence H. Biblical Essentials The One True God, Book Critique is due

Nov. 24, 2016

Thanksgiving

Dec. 1, 2016:

Berkhof, Systematic,150-178

Grudem, 412-438

Dec. 08, 2016

Final and Theological paper is due

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY I

(with some annotations)

Systematic Theology

Bavinck, Herman. Reformed Dogmatics. 3 vols. translated thus far. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003-2006.

Berkhof, Louis. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996. This edition includes his Introduction to Systematic Theology.

Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1559. 2 vols. Translated by Ford Lewis Battles. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1960. Although there are many aspects of Systematic Theology that Calvin does not address, this is the oldest and most classic statement of Reformed theology.

Dabney, Robert Lewis. Lectures in Systematic Theology, 1878. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1972. Southern Presbyterian

Erickson, Millard. Christian Theology, 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1983.

Moderately Calvinistic Baptist

Gill, John. Body of Divinity, 1769. Reprint, Atlanta, GA: Turner Lassetter, 1965.

Strict (Particular) Calvinistic Baptist

Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994.

Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology, 1887. 3 vols. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997 reprint. Hodge was one of the preeminent Princeton Presbyterian theologians.

Oden, Thomas. Systematic Theology. 3 vols. Peabody, MA: Prince Press, 1998. A compilation of classical theologies from various perspectives—Reformed, Lutheran, and Arminian

Pieper, Francis. Christian Dogmatics. 4 vols. Saint Louis: Concordia, 1950. Classical Lutheran theology

Reymond, Robert. A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith. Nashville: Nelson, 1998. Reformed

Shedd, William G. T. Dogmatic Theology, 1894, ed. Alan W. Gomes. Phillipsburg, NJ: P and R, 2003. An excellent but often overlooked Presbyterian theology

Strong, Augustus Hopkins. Systematic Theology. Westwood, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1907. Moderately Calvinistic Baptist

Turretin, Francis. Institutes of Elenctic Theology, 1685. 3 vols. Translated by George Musgrave Giger, ed. James T. Dennison, Jr. Phillipsburg, NJ: P and R, 1992. Reformed, from the era of “Protestant Scholasticism”

The Inspiration of Scripture

Custer, Stewart. Does Inspiration Demand Inerrancy? Nutley, New Jersey: The Craig Press, 1968.

Lindsell, Harold. The Battle for the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976.

Montgomery, John Warwick, ed. God’s Inerrant Word. Minneapolis: Bethany Fellowship, Inc. 1974.

Packer, J. I. “Fundamentalism” and the Word of God. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1958.

Stonehouse, N. B., and Paul Woolley, ed. The Infallible Word. Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1946.

Tenney, Merrill C., ed. The Bible-The Living Word of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1968.

Warfield, Benjamin B. The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible. Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1948.

______. Limited Inspiration. Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, n.d.

White, James. The King James Only Controversy. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1995.

Young, Edward J. Thy Word Is Truth. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company,1957.

The Doctrine of God

Bavinck, Herman. The Doctrine of God. Translated by William Hendriksen. Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1977. A classic and thorough treatment from a Reformed perspective

Boettner, Lorraine. The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination. Philadelphia: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1966.

Charnock, Stephen. The Existence and Attributes of God, 1682. Reprint, Wilmington: Sovereign Grace Book Club, 1969.

Erickson, Millard J. God the Father Almighty. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998. “A contemporary exploration of the divine attributes”

Frame, John M. The Doctrine of God. Phillipsburg, NJ: P and R, 2002.

Letham, Robert. The Holy Trinity. Phillipsburg, NJ: P and R, 2004. A deep theological study of the doctrine of the Trinity, with emphasis on the classical ecumenical creeds

Storms, Samuel C. The Grandeur of God. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984. “A theological and devotional study of the divine attributes”

Ware, Bruce A. God’s Lesser Glory. Wheaton: Crossway, 2000. A critique of Open Theism

Warfield, Benjamin B. The Plan of Salvation, Revised Edition. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, no date. A summary of the various lapsarian positions on the decrees of God