Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 36:144 (Oct 1879)
Article: An Essay In Systematic Theology
Author: George T. Ladd

BSac 36:144 (Oct 1879) p. 706

An Essay In Systematic Theology

Rev. George T. Ladd

The etymological meaning of the word essay interprets the spirit of this title. The writer of this Article has made an attempt, which will doubtless be found imperfect in many particulars, to sketch the outlines of a system of theology. Should the purpose of so strange and seemingly unauthorized an attempt be asked, it may be briefly, though partially, defined. Every thinker upon theological subjects — and this should include, to some extent, every preacher of the truths of Christianity — needs some framework into which he may fit his discoveries of truth, his speculations upon truths, and indeed all the fruits of his thinking, reading, and study. Only thus can valuable time be saved, gaps in culture filled up, the consensus and harmony and interrelations of theo-

BSac 36:144 (Oct 1879) p. 707

logical truth appreciated, and the Bible studied as a source of the Christian system.

This attempt is, of course, one which has been frequently made; with sometimes higher, sometimes lower degrees of success. It is ever open, however, to be made anew. Each new attempt, so far as it has value, is likely to be no considerable departure from attempts at some time previously made. That it should be made now and then by some one whose studies, however restricted, are constantly accompanied by, and designed to minister to, his pastoral work and his preaching, cannot be in itself out of place.

All that is needed to introduce this essay may be given in a few words concerning the principles which should control the divisions and development of systematic theology. The principles most taken into the account in forming this scheme are, briefly stated, the following:

The divisions and development of systematic theology should flow, as far as possible, from some one inherent and dominant principle. Inasmuch as the truths of Christianity are given in a historical revelation, the method of Christian systematic theology must differ from that of demonstrative or speculative systems. Yet is the unity of one idea distributed throughout both possible and desirable in constructing theology. Such an idea, constructive and dominant, is found in the fact of a divine self-revelation which culminates in the incarnation and in the work of redemption through Christ. Theology is the science of the divine self-revelation. This idea will illumine and control all its divisions and development.

The development of systematic theology should be, as far as possible, independent, positive, and self-centered. It should not be primarily polemical. Objections must be answered: but the development of the science does not consist chiefly in answering objections. Positi...