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SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
All good theology is practical. Proper theology is for the church, not just for academics. Biblical systematic theology impacts the way we think, the way we live, and the way we feel about God, ourselves, the world, and others. John Frame always does 'good' theology. It will change your life." -Robert C. (Ric) Cannada Jr., Chancellor Emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary "Many times in the past I have grown in my understanding of Scripture and benefited in my practice of ministry as a consequence of John Frame's written reflections on God's Word. Now the opportunity to draw upon that thought from a work that expands and systematizes his reflections from a lifetime of study and devotion is a great treasure for the church and a great gift to all in ministry." -Bryan Chapell, President Emeritus, Covenant Theological Seminary "Theology reflects our study of God's general and special revelation and our attempt to express that theology in the language of those to whom we seek to communicate our conclusions. Theology must be faithful to the authority of the Word of God, and must be written in an understandable style. For those reasons, John Frame has once again used his gifts to give us a systematic theology that is consistently biblical and written within the framework of Reformed theology. Familiarity with the author's writings makes the reader aware of his ability to express himself clearly and to the point. He does not waste words or the reader's time. You will find an immediate appreciation of and benefit from his definitions and expressions of our Reformed doctrine. While a number of outstanding systematics reside within the family of biblically Reformed theology, Frame's will complement and deepen one's understanding and appreciation of the 'faith once delivered to the saints,' yesterday and today. Without question this work will be taught and studied in a way that will enable the reader, teacher, and student to see and understand the sovereignty of God, the kingdom of God, the lordship of Christ, and salvation with fresh minds and day-to-day application. You will find Frame, as usual, demonstrating his well-known mantra, 'theology is life and life is theology.' Each
In olden times believers met God, knew Him, walked with Him, had the clear and full consciousness that they had dealings with the God of heaven '-thus began Andrew Murray (1828-1917 his classic book, Moody, to name but a few (p. 8). Convinced that our time is no exception in this regard and building upon Gavin D'Costa's Theology in the Public Square (2005) which shows the secularized state of university theology, the present study set out to examine the origin (why), result (what), and process (how) of the secularization of university theology, particularly to answer why 'theology is no longer considered a necessary subject in the modern university' (Stanley Hauerwas, The State of the University, p. 12).
"This thesis argues that God is interested in something more than conversion alone for his fallen and seditious creation: God calls his disciples to spiritual transformation as the intended and natural progression of the Christian new birth. However, data show that this natural progression is sometimes frustrated; and therefore, a basic premise of this thesis is that God does not leave his disciples to their own devices but encourages transformation and provides the means for its development. What is more, this work emphasizes that Christian disciples are, in the new birth, spiritually inclined to God’s call and provision for transformation.The direction of this work is rooted in the two greatest commandments to love God and to love man (Matthew 22:36-39). It is in obedience to Jesus’ commission to make disciples (Matthew 28:19)—equipping them for the work of ministry, building the church, and finishing well the race set before them—to which this present work is directed. Spiritual transformation is the God-intended development of Christians for kingdom living in love. In support, this work examines the evidences for Christian spiritual transformation and kingdom living. The research and observations of this study reveal a great need within the church for life-renewal through spiritual transformation, therefore, the need and emphasis of this thesis. The present work argues that Christian spiritual transformation involves knowing oneself honestly, openly, and truthfully before the living God. And therefore, it argues that practices aimed at spiritual transformation facilitate intimacy and obedience to God through a spiritual walk. Spiritual transformation is discussed as a development of the whole person. Although this research employs a historico-grammatical hermeneutic (interpretation), related experiential outcomes are heavily weighted. Finally, this work argues for a life that is best lived in touching the lives of others and the world in general, by and with the loving power of God, and what that might look like (1 Corinthians 2:13; 14:37; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 2:22). This thesis concludes with a challenge to Christ’s church to facilitate a passionate response to God’s call and provision."
The Epistle of 1 Corinthians (2024 edition)
The Three-Fold Thematic Scheme of the Epistle of 1 Corinthians - The primary theme of the nine church epistles is the establishment of the doctrines of the New Testament church. Each of these epistles addresses one aspect of this doctrinal foundation as their secondary theme, so that collectively, they deliver the complete doctrinal creed of the church. The secondary theme of the epistle of 1 Corinthians offers the testimony of the office and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s sanctification. The third, imperative theme of 1 Corinthians is the believer’s outward evidence of his sanctification by manifesting the gifts of the Spirit while walking in love. In other words, this epistle demonstrates how a believer allows the Holy Spirit to guide him towards a lifestyle of holiness so that the gifts of the Spirit can operate in his life. Of his thirteen epistles, Paul the Apostle writes most extensively to the church of Corinth, writing them two lengthy letters, which emphasized practical conduct rather than doctrine, with several other epistles that did not come down to us. The immediate concern in the church of Corinth was an issue of conduct, and not of creed. Perhaps the reason for this is that many of these Gentiles had been saved out of a lifestyle of deep degradation (6:9-11), and the pressure to return and conform to their pagan society was still strong. In fact, some of these believers might have not entirely come out of paganism yet. Their liberality in Christ had swung the pendulum too far to the right so that they were becoming “entangled” in the world, rather than “involved” in the world, and they were missing the message of the crucified life. Thus, the basic theme of Paul’s two epistles to the Corinthian church is the sanctification of the believer through the office and ministry of the Holy Spirit. With this foundation laid, Paul deals extensively with their conduct in daily living, making 1 Corinthians his longest New Testament epistle. Louis Berkhof says that this epistle “contains the doctrine of the cross in its social application.” For this reason, the epistle of 1 Corinthians gives us the clearest exposure to the daily life of the early Church to be found in the New Testament.
The Sound Transmission of Christian Revelation in African Context
In traditional Africa, the way of holding a conversation about God was determined by the sacral words of wise ancestors. The aim of this article is to relate the sound transmission of Christian revelation to African men and women rooted in their ways of receiving the authoritative words of their beloved ancestors. The Christian revelation seen as the eternal and living Word who became flesh is a new way of knowing the mystery behind the goodness of life experienced by African wise ancestors who were constantly searching for the meaning of life-forces in nature. By exploring the mystery of God from Christian revelation perspective, African Christian theology goes beyond African wisdom literature by drawing African Christians to the fascinating and delightful mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of God in human history. Jesus, the eternal and living Word of God who became flesh as a human person embodies the nearest to God and God himself who can reveal the mystery of the wonderful Father who loves human beings in Jesus and through the Spirit by extending the family life of the three divine persons to all who experience an encounter with the Son sent to promote in the Spirit the abiding presence of the Holy Trinity in creation and in human lives. " The Sound Transmission of Christian Revelation in African Context " is an African Christian theology of interpretation of Revelation and Scripture for mature believers in Sub-Saharan Africa reclaiming the communal as the basic dimension of human life.
Despite, the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) having aspects of holistic mission in both her pre-union heritage and her Basis of Union (Basis), the integration of word and deed for mission in the UCA is mostly fragmented. Evangelism and social justice have become increasingly polarized, treated with suspicion by opposing camps. To understand this split and to seek to address it, it is necessary to recognize that this problem is not specific to the UCA. Bosch (1991) himself says that one of the “most thorniest areas in the theology and practice of mission” is the relationship for mission of “the evangelistic” and “societal dimensions” The study of biblical , historical, theological and practical theology will help in comprehending the complexity of this debate. Then, because of the UCA’s Methodist heritage, Wesleyanism will be explored as an example of authentic holistic mission. The relationship between evangelism and social concern within the UCA will be addressed, focusing upon heritage, the Basis, theology and practice. And finally a model will be proposed for holistic mission that seeks to integrate not only evangelism and social responsibility but also other aspects of Christian growth.