Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 08:23 (Mar 2004)
Article: What is Systematic Theology?
Author: Mal Couch

CTJ 8:23 (March 2004) p. 10

What is Systematic Theology?

Mal Couch

President & Professor of Theology & Languages
Tyndale Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX

Systematic theology is both an art and a science. Past generations considered it a science because so many objective elements were required to comb the Word of God for the full complement of its teachings. The theologian needed to know history, geography, the biblical languages, logic, hermeneutics and interpretation, and finally, how to place all of the elements together in order to give insight into the Scriptures. The theologian of course must be born again, must walk closely to the Lord, and listen carefully to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. He must have zeal to know God, must love His Word, and covet a desire to even share it with the lost, and as well, to make God’s revelation understandable and applicable to the child of God. But there is still the footwork and the sweat required to work the Bible text, and to be able to fathom the depths of the Holy Writings.

A theologian must pay a price in order to truly know the Bible! While I teach the biblical languages, book studies, and hermeneutics (which are the basis of systematic theology), I love the discipline of systematic theology itself, and certainly the end product, the clarity of the Bible that follows in an organized fashion. Systematic theology was my major at the first seminary
I attended.

Defining Systematic Theology

The word systematic comes from the Greek verb sunistano that means to put together in an organized fashion, a whole. The word suggests a high degree of integration, consistency, and corespondence of factual statements. Because this is an organization carried out by imperfect human beings, there will never be a

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perfect integration. However, this does not mean that systematic theology is invalid; it simply implies that we have to work harder. And, such imperfection means that it gives those who love the Word of God an opportunity to compare and even challenge the conclusion of others.

The word theology comes from two words, theos (“God”), and logos (”word, a teaching, a rational expression about a certain subject”). Some have put it this way: “the rationale which gives a comprehensive treatment about God.” Theology then is the study about all things that touch upon the knowledge of God. That this study should be “systematic” means that such knowledge is to be given in a clear, concise, and logical form, which conforms to the lucid and linear thinking of humans. It is meant to bring rational clarity to the full body of truth found in the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation!

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