VI. The Action of Systematic Theology.
You may have noticed that I have referred to “doing” systematic theology. That is because systematic theology is in fact something that one does if it is to be beneficial and biblically accurate. What are we seeking to do when we do systematic theology? The endeavor is to organize truth into an integrated system of thought. The goal is not to invent a system. The goal is to discover and articulate the system that God has placed within Holy Scripture. All of Scripture is integrated with all other Scripture, allowing for no contradiction. Therefore, no portion of Scripture must be allowed to be the basis for doctrine if it is interpreted apart from the rest of the Bible.
In case that paragraph didn’t seem important, please re-read it because it is supremely important!
VII. The Development of Systematic Theology.
While truth does not change, our understanding of truth may change, either in the direction of becoming more accurate, or in the direction of being less accurate. We prayerfully seek to be increasingly, rather than decreasingly, accurate!
The early Church did not have as great an understanding of certain theological issues as the Church has come to have throughout the last two thousand years. Many theological truths were hammered out because of the threat of heresy. As heresy presented itself, the Church was forced to wrestle with issues they did not previously even think of. The doctrine of the Trinity, the deity, person, natures and wills of Christ are cases in point.
Culture has been allowed to influence theology—sometimes for the better, oftentimes for the worse. This is especially dangerous, since Christianity is a culture to itself, established by God. Whenever the cultures of fallen man are allowed to direct our understanding of God, there is a far greater danger than potential benefit.