BUILDING SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
STUDY GUIDE 2.1
Lesson 2: Technical Terms in Systematics
Section 1: Orientation


OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES

Introduction

I. Orientation

A. Definition

B. Terms and Concepts

  1. Language in General

  2. Language of Scripture

C. Need

  1. Many Terms-One Concept

  2. One Term-Many Concepts

D. Place



REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. How does Dr. Pratt define "theological technical terms"?

2. Do terms always have a direct one to one correspondence with a concept? Explain.

3. Give examples from our general use of language where many terms can be used for one same concept.

4. Give examples from our general use of language where one term can correspond to several different concepts.

5. Give examples from Scripture language where many terms can be used for one same concept.

6. Give examples from Scripture language where one term can correspond to several different concepts.

7. Explain why theological technical terms may sometimes be necessary.

8. Describe the steps for building systematic theology. Explain the example of analyzing the death of Christ for systematic theology.


APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. How do you feel about the use of theological technical terms? Do you think they are necessary? Do you think they are helpful?

2. Describe your experiences in the past in struggling to understand theological technical terms. How did you deal with this?

3. How can the principles “many terms can describe one concept” and “one concept can describe many terms” help you in your understanding and interpretation of Scripture?