Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 - Shedd - II - Chapter 2 (Plan, Divisions and Subdivisions)

Required readingDogmatic Theology Vol 1 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 2 (Plan, Divisions and Subdivisions).

My summary

Today Shedd carries on his theological introduction by examining the second of his principal introductory topics: plan, divisions and subdivisions.

We leave his final one for next week: nature and definition of theological science.

Shedd gives his overarching divisions of theological science which he will be guided by throughout his work:

(i) Bibliology;

(ii) Theology (Doctrine of God);

(iii) Anthropology;

(iv) Christology;

(v) Soteriology;

(vi) Eschatology.

After giving a brief explanation of each, Shedd proceeds to speak about:

(i) the proper mode of discussing any theological topic (exegetical and rational);

(ii) dogma (it is exegetical and ecclesiastical);

(iii) biblical theology versus systematic theology.

What grabbed me

I appreciated Shedd's example of why we need both biblical and systematic theology: 'A second reason why "biblical" theology requires the balance and symmetry of systematic theology, is the fact that it is more easy to introduce subjective individual opinions into a part of the Bible, than into the whole of it. It is easier (we do not say easy) for Baur to prove that Christianity was originally Ebionitism, if he takes into view only the Gospels, and excludes the Epistles, than it is if he takes the entire New Testament into the account. It is easier to warp the four Gospels in to a preconceived idea of Christ and Christianity, than it is to warp the whole Bible. This is the danger to which all interpretation of Scripture is exposed, which does not use the light thrown by the interconnection and harmony of all the books of the Old and New Testaments; and perhaps this is the reason why the pantheistic and rationalistic critic is more inclined to compose a "biblical," than a systematic theology. The attempt to understand revelation piecemeal, is liable to fail. In every organic product—and the Bible is organized throughout—the whole explains the parts, because the parts exist for the whole, and have no meaning or use separate from it. The interpretation of Scripture should be "according to the proportion of faith".'

Ignoring sections of the Scriptures can lead to God ignoring you!

Next week's reading

Commence Chapter 3 (Nature and Definition of Theological Science) by reading up to the paragraph beginning with: ''1. In defining the nature of theology, we remark in the first place, that it is absolute science, in contradistinction to relative knowledge.'

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.