STUDY GUIDE FOR READING ASSIGNMENT 5
James P. Boice, Abstract of Systematic Theology, chapters 1-3
NOTE: On page 6, Boice says, "As in Botany, one gathers all the plants of the world, and arranges them without attempting to introduce new plants, even to fill up manifest gaps, so Biblical Theology, duly presented, show scriptural truth in all the perfection, and in all the imperfection with which God has given it. True Biblical Theology should recognize the inspired source whence come its teachings. But, as now technically used, Biblical Theology refers to the statement and development of doctrine by the various Biblical writers, or in other words to the development of Jewish religious thought without assuming or denying the inspiration of the Bible."
This can be confusing. It may sound like Boice believes that God sometimes revealed truth in the Scriptures in an "imperfect" way. It may also give the impression that he has no problem with the fact that some forms of Biblical Theology today deny the inspiration of the Bible. However, it seems that in the context, what he means by "imperfect" is "incomplete," just as a collection of plants may be incomplete. As for Biblical Theology, he seems to be saying that it should recognize the inspired source, but that not all Biblical Theology actually does recognize the inspiration of Scripture today.
Review Questions:
1. According to Boice, the word “theology” (when understood in the same way as “geology” or “biology”) means the ________________ which treats of God.
2. “Anthropology” is that area of theology that is concerned with _________ as created by God and placed under the government of his moral law.
3. The area of theology that deals with the nature of salvation through Jesus Christ is called ________.
4. The area of theology that deals with the person and work of the Holy Spirit is called __________.
5. What is "natural theology"?
6. What is “Biblical theology”?
7. What are "Christian dogmatics"?
8. Boice provides six descriptions of the spirit people should have as they study theology. What are they?
9. What are some of the advantages of studying systematic theology?
10. What is the "first duty" of theology, according to the author?
11. Since God is so totally different from man, can we really understand His nature?
12. Is partial knowledge of God still actual knowledge?
13. According to Boice, has belief in God usually been accepted by man?
14. Boice indicates that the word “innate” is unfortunate when describing the belief of God in man. What does he prefer to say?
15. There are two types of theistic proofs, or arguments for the existence of God. What are these two types called?
16. Who is famous for the following a priori argument for the existence of God? By definition God is a being such as that no greater can be conceived of. But we can conceive of a being whose non-existence is impossible. If God, then, does not necessarily exist, we can conceive of a greater than God, which is contrary to the definition. Therefore, God must exist.
17. In Boice’s list, the first a posteriori argument for the existence of God is commonly called the ____________________ argument, because it argues for the existence of God, as a First Cause, from the effects seen in the world.
18. One argument for the existence of God says that, whatever shows design must have had a _________________.
19. A miracle is an extraordinary act performed, or event brought to pass by God, not through the established laws of nature, nor mere providential control, but by ______________ _____________, without the use of efficient means.
20. What is Boice’s fifth a posteriori argument for the existence of God?
21. According to chapter 3, there are two major sources of our knowledge of theology. What are they?
22. Boice says, "Reason is that power in man, which enables him to have mental perceptions, to exercise thought, and reflection, to know facts, to inquire into their mutual relations, and to ____________ ...the conclusions which may be drawn from them."
23. Revelation is the knowledge which God conveys by __________ _________________ instruction, preeminently that which is given in the book known as the Bible.