Theological Prolegomena
Chapter One — The Nature of Theology
I. INTRODUCTION – The nature of prolegomena (p. 1)
A. Description
1. Description of the area of study
2. Relationship to other disciplines
3. Methods of study
4. Value
5. Readers
6. Justification
B. Place — grows out of the subject matter
C. Wrong approaches — Any approach which imports an agenda or structure from some other discipline — philosophy, science, etc.
II. WHAT IS SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY? (pp. 2-10)
A. Description (p. 2)
1. “Systematic Theology is an organized restatement of the major indicative themes of the Bible communicated to contemporary cultures.”
2. A clearing away of error
3. A presentation of the message of the whole Bible to give the context for all exegesis and preaching. A foundation for reading the Bible accurately and effectively
B. Methods which have been proposed (pp. 2-6)
1. The Apostles’ Creed
2. Contra heresy
3. Nicene creeds, Athanasian creed, the symbol of Chalcedon and the II Synod of Orange
4. Apologetic theology
5. Scholastic theology
6. Reformers
7. Modern period — Reason and scientific method
8. Histories of theology & contemporary views
9. Exegetical theology
10. Metanarrative theology (see page 6)
C. Luther’s Program for making a theologian (7-8)
D. Calvin’s “Foundational Mystery” (pp. 8-10)
III. THE RELATIONSHIPS (11-15)
A. The Seminary curriculum (p. 11)
B. The University curriculum (p. 11)
IV. THE INTENDED AUDIENCE —THE CHURCH (11-15)
1. Worship
2. Prayer
3. Reading the Scriptures
4. Therapy
a. Only God can heal a “soul”
b. The church has forfeited that ministry
c. C. S. Lewis on Satan (p. 13)
d. Gregory I on the healing of souls
V. JUSTIFICATION OF OUR THEOLOGY
A. The need for justification
B. Justification from “fitting” the Metanarrative
Contents
SECTION ONE – REVELATION
Chapter One – Nature of Revelation
Chapter Two – Kinds of Revelation
SECTION TWO – DUAL-AUTHORSHIP
Chapter Three – Authorship of the Bible
SECTION THREE – CHARACTERISTICS
Chapter Four – Part One
Chapter Five – Part Two
SECTION FOUR – PRESERVATION
Chapter Six – Canon and Text
Chapter Seven – Translations
SECTION FIVE – INTERPRETATION
Chapter Eight – Three Horizons
Chapter Nine – Metanarrative
SECTION SIX – PROCLAMATION
Chapter Ten – The Culture Clash
Chapter Eleven – Prolegomena to Theology
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 – Introduction to our Salvation……………………55
CHAPTER 2 – The Initiation of our Salvation………………….62
A. Election…………………………………………………..62
B. Calling…………………………………………………….78
CHAPTER 3 – The Foundation of our Salvation: Union………87
CHAPTER 4 – The Beginning of our Salvation……………….100
C. Conversion……………………………………………..100
D. Repentance………………………………………104
E. Faith……………………………………………….113
F. Confession……………………………………….121
G. Regeneration…………………………………………..122
CHAPTER 5 – Our Standing with God…………………………135
H. Justification……………………………………………135
I. Forgiveness…………………………………………….150
J. Adoption………………………………………………..153
CHAPTER 6 – Our Separation unto God—Consecration……156
CHAPTER 7 – Our Christian Life………………………………..163
K. Sanctification…………………………………………..163
L. Preservation……………………………………………175
CHAPTER 8 – The New Beginning—Glorification……………194
Eschatology
CHAPTER ONE – ESCHATOLOGY IS JESUS CHRIST
A. Metanarrative
B. The Book of Revelation
C. Implications
D. Believing Remnant at his first coming
E. Old and New
CHAPTER TWO – THE PRESENT AGE
F. Hope
G. Promise
H. Present age
I. Death, Heaven and Hell
J. Interpreting Prophecy
CHAPTER THREE – THE TRIBULATION…………………………………………………246
K. Metanarrative
L. Daniel
M. Jesus – Olivet Discourse
N. John – Revelation
O. Other Texts
P. Theological Summary
Q. John’s theological introduction to the Tribulation
R. John’s picture of the tribulation
S. Wrath
T. The Day of the Lord
U. Theological summary
CHAPTER FOUR – THE RAPTURE………………………………………………………..266
V. Definitions, terms and texts
W. The Metanarrative
X. The Olivet Discourse
Y. Thessalonian Letters
Z. Revelation
AA. Imminence
BB. Theological summary
CC. The other believers
CHAPTER FIVE – THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM…………………………………………290
DD. The Day of the Lord
EE. The Messianic Kingdom
FF. Discontinuities and Continuities – Tribulation & Kingdom
GG. Discontinuities and Continuities – Kingdom and New Earth
HH. History of the Messianic Kingdom
CHAPTER SIX – THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH……………………………..309
II. Biblical description
JJ. Theological description
APPENDICES…………………………………………………………………………………313
BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………………316