Lecturer: Dr Paul Thompson
paul.t@kvbcequip.org
+60 19 898 6509

Online via Google Classroom
Tuesday, 9.00 am – 12.00 pm
3 units

Course Description

The first of three principal doctrine (or theology) subjects that collectively both covers the principal doctrinal loci as listed in typical reformed systematic theologies, and prepares students for further in￾depth theological study. This subject introduces the study of systematic theology and its relationship
with Biblical Studies and Biblical Theology, and covers the doctrines of revelation and Scripture, creation
and providence, trinity and classical theism (which is sometimes called the Doctrine of God). Particular
attention will also be given to integrating these loci into one coherent system.

Course Aims

1. Appreciate the need for theological study, to evaluating scholarly methods and the importance of the theologian’s character.
2. Begin to realise both how all theology is inter-related, and that theological reflection should be at the centre of all Christian ministry.
3. Be able to engage fully with typical systematic theologies on the subject’s doctrinal loci.
4. Begin to reason theologically and critically evaluate other proposals on the subject’s doctrinal loci.
5. Begin to apply their learning to ministry practice

Schedule

Assessment Package

1. ±10% permitted unless stated otherwise. ↩︎
2. Midnight following unless stated otherwise. ↩︎

1. 100% class attendance
   
2. Reading (best done after, not before relevant class[es])
   
   During the semester, you are required to read the pertinent chapters of Calvin’s Institutes.
   
   For Theology 1: pp. 1-340
   § 1 (The Knowledge of God the Creator)
   § 2.5 (The Knowledge of God the Redeemer in Christ… : Refutation of the Objections Commonly Put Forward in Defense of Free Will)
   
   For Theology 2: pp. 239-987
   § 2 (The Knowledge of God the Redeemer in Christ, First Disclosed to the Fathers Under the Law and Then to Us in the Gospel)
   § 3.24 (Election is Confirmed by God’s Call; Moreover, the Wicked Bring Upon Themselves the Just Destruction to Which They Are Destined)
   
   
   For Theology 3: pp. 74–81, 537–42, 987–1521
   § 1.7 (Scripture Must Be Confirmed by the Witness of the Spirit…),
   § 3.1 (The Things Spoken Concerning Christ Profit Us by the Secret Working of the Spirit),
   § 3.25 (The Final Resurrection) – §4.20 (Civil Government)
   
   Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Translated by Ford L. Battles. Edited by John T. McNeil. 2 Vols. LCC 20–21. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster, 1960.
   
   Online:
   https://archive.org/details/institutesofchri0001calv_p7o5
   https://archive.org/details/calvininstitutes0002calv (trans Beveridge…)
   https://ccel.org/ccel/c/calvin/institutes/cache/institutes.pdf
   
   
3. Compare, contrast and evaluate the doctrine of the Trinity contained within the following three works:
   • Allberry, Sam. Connected: Living in the Light of the Trinity. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity, 2012.
   • Erickson, Millard J. God in Three Persons: A Contemporary Interpretation of the Trinity. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1995.
   • Reeves, Michael. Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2012.
     
     You should also consult the following:
   • Brink, Gijsbert van den. “Social Trinitarianism: A Discussion of Some Recent Theological Criticisms.” International Journal of Systematic Theology 16 (2014): 331–50.
   • Holmes, Stephen R. “Three Versus One? Some Problems of Social Trinitarianism.” Journal of Reformed Theology 3 (2009): 77–89.
   • Kilby, Karen. “Perichoresis and Projection: Problems with Social Doctrines of the Trinity.” New Blackfriars 81 (2000): 432–45. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43250486.
   • Letham, Robert. The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History, Theology, and Worship. Rev. & exp. ed. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2019.
     
4. Exam. Each class will conclude with a list of required definitions and possible exam questions.
   
   (i) Define ten terms from a random sample of fifteen of those definitions.
   (ii) Answer eight questions from a random sample of fifteen of those listed questions.
   
   All your answers will be assessed against what was covered in class so should be succinct and comprehensive. Nonetheless, it will not require extra reading.
   
5. Complete student feedback form

Bibliography

Barrett, Matthew. God’s Word Alone: The Authority of Scripture: What the Reformers Taught … and Why it Still Matters. Five Solas. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016.
———. None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2019.
Bray, Gerald L. The Doctrine of God. Contours of Christian Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1993.
Enns, Peter. Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005. Reprint with minor revisions and a postscript, as 2nd ed., 2015.
Frame, John. Salvation Belongs to the Lord: An Introduction to Systematic Theology. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2006.
Frame, John M. “Machen’s Warrior Children.” Pages in Alister E. McGrath and Evangelical Theology: A Dynamic Engagement. Edited by Sung Wook Chung. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2003. https://frame-poythress.org/machens-warrior-children/.
———. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2013.
Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed. London: Inter-Varsity; Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2020.
Helm, Paul. The Providence of God. Contours of Christian Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1993.
Horton, Michael S. The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims On the Way. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2011.
———. Pilgrim Theology: Core Doctrines for Christian Disciples. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2012.
Jensen, Peter. The Revelation of God. Contours of Christian Theology. Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 2002.
Letham, Robert. The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History, Theology, and Worship. Rev. & exp. ed. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2019.
———. Systematic Theology. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019.
Olson, Roger E. Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2006.
Pinnock, Clark H. Most Moved Mover. Carlisle, England: Paternoster, 2001.
Pinnock, Clark H., Richard Rice, John E. Sanders, William Hasker and David Basinger. The Openness of God: A Biblical Challenge to the Traditional Understanding of God. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity; Carlisle, England: Paternoster, 1994.
Pinnock, Clark H. and John D. Wagner, eds. Grace for All: The Arminian Dynamics of Salvation. Rev. from Grace Unlimited (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany Fellowship, 1975) ed. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2015.
Sanlon, Peter. Simply God: Recovering the Classical Trinity. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity, 2014.
Schreiner, Thomas R. and Bruce A. Ware, eds. Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2000.
Shelton, W. Brian. Prevenient Grace: God’s Provision for Fallen Humanity. Anderson, IN: Warner, 2014.
Smail, Thomas A. The Forgotten Father: Rediscovering the Heart of the Christian Gospel. 2nd ed. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1987. https://archive.org/details/forgottenfather0000smai_l8v1.
Trueman, Carl R. The Creedal Imperative. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.
Turretin, Francis. Institutes of Elenctic Theology. Translated by George M. Gider. 3 vols. Edited by James T. Dennison, Jr. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 1992–1997.
Ward, Timothy. Words of Life: Scripture as the Living and Active Word of God. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity, 2009.