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

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