systematic theology is a cop-out
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
As you might of gathered if you follow me on twitter, I just began reading Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology. For those not familar with it, it’s one of the essential primers that just about every reform type will suggest as thorough introduction to ‘good theology’. It’s also huge, 1200 pages, covering nearly every possible topic.
An that exactly my problem with it. In his introduction he states that systematic theology (in general, as a study, not simply this book) is essential for the Christian because they need to know where to go on a given topic. An example, when some one wants to know about prayer, we turn to that chapter. We read about it, are given a list of verses from the Bible which speak on the topic.
While this seems very useful and positive on the surface, I think it is doing a great damage to the Bible in the process. Let me explain.
The difference is between a wonderful story and repair manual. One is picked up to be enjoyed and savored, read again again to pick up the finer points of imagery and metaphor. The other is used to fix something; I have this problem, let me go to this section to fix that problem. A story is best understood when read from beginning to end. A manual is most useful when you never have to read any part except the section focusing on your problem. How many folks have ever read the introduction to their atlas or their car maintaince manual? Probably just a few, out of sheer boredom on a long road trip.
Though I’m sure Grudem doesn’t intend for this to be out come of his theological system, I think that systematic approach gets the cart before the horse. People don’t need to be going to the Bible to find answers but to find God. Truly love of God has to be the starting point for everyone. The great part is that when you read the Bible on its own terms all that other stuff will be taken care of.
I find it amazing still that by God’s providence he shows me the answers to the questions I’ve been asking and even the questions I haven’t been asking but need to be.
I wouldn’t recommend such a systematic study for the majority of people. Personally I have learned the most by just studying books of the Bible.
It seems most people would do well to understand the Bible as the forest, meta-narrative than as a manual full of answers to all of our problems.