The Human Tongue is a fire by itself. It cannot be tamed. By Anthony Joseph Hopkins August 25, 2021
The Human tongue is a little member; and boast great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire is kindled!! The tongue is a fire a world of iniquity: so is the tongue. The tongue defiles the body. The tongue is capable of doing a lot of damage to anyone who is present. Everything that the tongue says, it is very dangerous.
The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, reptiles, and sea creatures can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of poison. The human tongue is so lethal that it cuts like a sword. However, man can control his or her actions before acting out violently.
Therefore, the tongue is a fire that is very difficult to extinguish. Let us examine our feelings and emotions before the actual eruption of a very dangerous fire.
The tongue cannot become extinguished by any means. Blessings and cursing that comes out of the same mouth. This is not supposed to take place inside of the earth itself. However. I understand that living inside of Planet Earth is dangerous. In most cases, we are in peril right now as we speak.
Proverbs 21:23, and What it means to all People. By Anthony Joseph Hopkins August 23, 2021
Proverbs 21:23 says Whoso keeps his mouth and tongue and keeps his soul from troubles. What does this mean? In a way, it means that we must keep to ourselves, and definitely stay out of trouble. In a way, it means mind your business.
I understand that people do not like getting into trouble. However, this Bible verse is for those who like to gossip. In a way it means that we must keep our mouths shut especially when it comes to other people. I know that I used to get into fist fights because of the things that I had done wrong to other people.
Next, I want to say that I used to get beaten up because of the things that I said out of my mouth. This is simply because I used to use vulgarity towards others. I know that when I was a child, I used to get into trouble by cursing at other people.
Further, I want to say that I have changed a whole lot. I used to be a disrespectful person. I used to be a person who used vulgarity on a daily basis. I want to inform everyone that God has changed me for the better. For Example, I attended church on a regular basis. My parents thought that I started rebelling at an early age.
This is simply because I used to hang around my friends, and I started drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. I engaged in this behavior for 18 years. From 1972 to 1990; I did my own thing. I was involved in street gangs at an early age. I was using vulgarity all of the time.
Why did I talk like that? It is because I used to get a rush at getting into trouble. I was the oldest child out of 9 children. I will admit that I did not know any better. I was only acting out. I am a very humble person right now. I am a person who has a lot of common sense.
My parents used to pray for me. My grandmother used to take me to her church from the time that I was 5 years old. I remember when I attended church, I started listening to the Pastor at the church because I always wanted to become a Pastor. However, I graduated with my high school diploma back on June 10, 1986. This is because I got into trouble all of the time in high school. 9 years later, I graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and Social Work.
Currently, I am a Writer. I want to say that God has saved me from myself. This is simply because I literally almost killed myself on February 13, 2010. God has been working patiently with me. God has given me a second chance at life. I feel much better right now. I know that God loves me. God loves me for the person that I am. During the past 7 years, I started attending Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I have been a Born-again Christian as soon as I got baptized on February 15, 2015. My life has changed for the better. Finally, I feel much better right now. I am a brand-new person because God has stopped me from using vulgarity. God has removed the desire from me to use bad language. My mouth is completely shut from using bad language and God has given me another chance at life again.
Proverbs 21:23, and What it means to all People. By Anthony Joseph Hopkins August 23, 2021
Proverbs 21:23 says Whoso keeps his mouth and tongue and keeps his soul from troubles. What does this mean? In a way, it means that we must keep to ourselves, and definitely stay out of trouble. In a way, it means mind your business.
I understand that people do not like getting into trouble. However, this Bible verse is for those who like to gossip. In a way it means that we must keep our mouths shut especially when it comes to other people. I know that I used to get into fist fights because of the things that I had done wrong to other people.
Next, I want to say that I used to get beaten up because of the things that I said out of my mouth. This is simply because I used to use vulgarity towards others. I know that when I was a child, I used to get into trouble by cursing at other people.
Further, I want to say that I have changed a whole lot. I used to be a disrespectful person. I used to be a person who used vulgarity on a daily basis. I want to inform everyone that God has changed me for the better. For Example, I attended church on a regular basis. My parents thought that I started rebelling at an early age.
This is simply because I used to hang around my friends, and I started drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. I engaged in this behavior for 18 years. From 1972 to 1990; I did my own thing. I was involved in street gangs at an early age. I was using vulgarity all of the time.
Why did I talk like that? It is because I used to get a rush at getting into trouble. I was the oldest child out of 9 children. I will admit that I did not know any better. I was only acting out. I am a very humble person right now. I am a person who has a lot of common sense.
My parents used to pray for me. My grandmother used to take me to her church from the time that I was 5 years old. I remember when I attended church, I started listening to the Pastor at the church because I always wanted to become a Pastor. However, I graduated with my high school diploma back on June 10, 1986. This is because I got into trouble all of the time in high school. 9 years later, I graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and Social Work.
Currently, I am a Writer. I want to say that God has saved me from myself. This is simply because I literally almost killed myself on February 13, 2010. God has been working patiently with me. God has given me a second chance at life. I feel much better right now. I know that God loves me. God loves me for the person that I am. During the past 7 years, I started attending Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I have been a Born-again Christian as soon as I got baptized on February 15, 2015. My life has changed for the better. Finally, I feel much better right now. I am a brand-new person because God has stopped me from using vulgarity. God has removed the desire from me to use bad language. My mouth is completely shut from using bad language and God has given me another chance at life again.
This is an essay that will focus on the 5 Types of Self. First, the spiritual Self will be discussed to give everyone an understanding of how things were created. Let’s begin; The Spiritual Self has a lot to do with what was created from the beginning of time. In John 1:1 says in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. When God created the Heaven’s and the earth, it was spoken in advance. However, mankind did not come into existence until everything else was created. In Genesis 1:26-27 says: let us make man in our image, according to our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the
�. Genesis 1:27 says so God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created them; male and female He created them. Therefore, everything that was created was spoken by God, and it was creation. The spiritual self starts and ends with God. The spiritual self is the beginning of creation and the end as soon as the Earth ceases all things.
2nd Peter 3:10 says but the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat: both the earth and the words that are in it will be burnt up before the Earth is destroyed Jesus Christ will left Grace’s Christ will return to the Earth and everyone will see him.
Jeremiah 1:5 says before I formed you inside of the womb I knew you -; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the Nations. The spiritual self will last forever. As far as the physical self is concerned, according to Genesis 2:7 says and the Lord God formed man of the Dust of the ground and breathed into the nostrils the Breath of Life, space and Man became a living being. Genesis 2:18 says and the Lord God says it is not good for man to be left alone I will make him a helper comparable to him therefore if the planet had only one species then mankind will be incomplete. Genesis 2:21-22 says and the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam and he slapped and he took one of his ribs and closed it up in the Flash in this place then the rear which the Lord God has taken from man he made into a woman and brought her to man.
Genesis 2:23 says and Adam said this is now bone of my bone she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man therefore when man is married to the woman he must leave his father and mother and the two shall become one flesh.
The physical mental and emotional self has a lot to do with man’s purpose on Earth less focus on the mental self right now. This has a lot to do with the reason why man and woman sinned to begin with. Due to the simple fact that Adam and Eve did not listen to God, and God imposed punishment and Promises on Adam and Eve. The mental health physical mental emotional and social self has a lot to do with God’s purpose for mankind according to Jeremiah 29:11 says for I know the plans that I have towards you says the Lord plans to prosper you.
When it comes to the social self, man woman and child are supposed to listen to God and to uphold God’s will for them. Hebrews 10:25 says do not forsake the assembling of yourselves and the Saints this means. We are supposed to encourage one another to help one another we can learn from the past in order to improve in the present and the future Hope is an optimistic desire.
Job 14:14-16, and what it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins August 12, 2021
Job 14:14-16 says If a man dies he shall live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait until my change comes. You shall call, and I will answer You: You shall desire the work of Your hands. For now, You number my steps, but do not watch over my sin. This is a parable by Job. He exclaims that if a man dies, he shall live again. This means when we die, we shall live again because our destination will either be heaven or hell. All the days of my hard service means as long as we are working hard on earth until the rapture comes. This is not very easy to bear.
This is simply because our fate is determined by our own actions. I want to say that I feel good because God has sealed my fate for me a very long time ago. God shall desire the work of my own hands. This means that God would like for me to work for my money. The labor itself is intensive. God will speak to me, and I shall answer Him. This means that God is speaking to me in a way that only I can hear it.
Next, I want to inform all of you that I still have a long way to go when it comes to my sense of work. I am a Writer. I am still a College Student. I am still in the prime of my life. I am only 56 years old. I am still a young man.
I want to say that my life has not been easy. I have literally bumped my head too many times. You number my steps, but not watch over my sin. This means that God is giving all of us a choice. Further, all of my sins that I have accumulated are from making bad decisions. I realize that God would like for all of us to share the Gospel with everyone.
I might be young, but I have a lot of physical problems to contend with. God is speaking to me on a daily basis. I pray for people every single day of the week. I know that my steps had almost slipped into the Pit. This means that in my mind, I have stepped into a sinful Pit. I know that my actions and behavior in the past has sealed my fate. Only God has decided the place for me in advance.
Finally, I cannot say whether or not I am going to heaven or hell. I can only say that based on my actions from my past, it has sealed my fate. I am a Born-Again Christian. It is that my past consisted of some things that only God can forgive me. I have tried to receive forgiveness from man, and I have been rejected. My steps are counted every single day by God. God also knows how many steps that I am going to walk each day of the week.
God knows exactly how long I am going to live in advance. He even knows the plans that He has for me in advance. I am ready to do God’s work. I am ready to serve Him. I am ready to become a worker for God. I write essays because it helps me cope better with a mental illness. God Bless You All!! May God be with all of you. I love you all very much.
The Bible is full of meaningful names for Jesus, from the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) to the Bread of Life (John 6:35). Each is packed with metaphor, theology, and history.
Some names may seem straightforward and comforting, like the Good Shepherd or King of Kings. Others may be a bit more unfamiliar — Jesus as the “second” or “last” Adam, for example. Why would the Bible draw a parallel between the man who doomed the world to sin and the one who saved it?
Jesus as the second Adam gives us a look into the breathtaking redemptive storyline of God’s plan, rich with more symbolism, mirroring, and plot twists than the most masterful of human literature.
“So it is written: ‘The first man Adam became a living being;’ the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.”
Other passages also allude to this idea.
1 Corinthians 15:21-22 states, “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned … But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”
Comparing Adam and Jesus
The Introduction of Adam
Adam is introduced in Genesis 1, at the very beginning of the Bible, and is further introduced in Genesis 2-3.
On the sixth day of creation, “God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Genesis 2:7 further explains this process: “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
This man, Adam, was created directly by God, the first and only man to come to life without a human father—at least, until Jesus. He was put in charge of the earth and given dominion over it, to care for it (Genesis 1:26, 28). At that point, he was without sin.
Adam’s Fall
Unfortunately, Adam’s sinless state did not last. God gave Adam one command: “you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:17), which Adam promptly disobeyed.
God’s command had come with a warning. “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:17). In Adam’s disobedience, he doomed not only himself, but the entire human race. The cycle of sin and decay was etched into the DNA of mankind.
God didn’t give up on humanity after Adam’s fall. Over thousands of years, He made promises to Abraham, raised up Joseph, led the Israelites out of Egypt, established a nation of His own people, and sent prophets to speak on His behalf.
But none of it was enough. Over and over again, the people returned to sin. And no amount of blood from animal sacrifice could even begin to cover it.
Adam’s curse was unavoidable, an intrinsic part of humanity. It would take a perfect man, a perfect sacrifice, something far greater than all of us, to overcome this curse.
Enter Jesus.
Jesus’ Triumph
For the first time since Adam, a man appeared on Earth who had no human father. As the Son of God, Jesus was perfect and sinless, and unlike Adam, He remained that way.
Jesus overcame temptation. Not only that, He overcame death. By the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb, Jesus overcame sin once and for all.
Parallels Between Adam and Jesus
Adam was the first man, created directly by God, the symbolic head of humanity. Jesus is the first God-man, the direct Son of God, the Head of the Church.
Both Adam and Jesus entered the world sinless. However, where Adam failed, Jesus triumphed.
Let us return to 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
Adam sinned once, and thus doomed humanity. Jesus died once, and thus covered over a multitude of sins (Romans 5:18-19).
Adam represents our earthly nature. “The first man was of the dust of the earth… As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth” (1 Corinthians 15:47-48). Just as our earthly body dies, so we perish through the sin nature that comes through Adam.
Meanwhile, Jesus imparts to us His spiritual nature. “The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man” (1 Corinthians 15:47-49). Adam was the figurehead of broken humanity; Jesus is now the Head of the redeemed Church.
There are other fascinating parallels scattered as tidbits in the Gospels as well. In John, when Pilate says of Jesus, “behold the man” (John 19:5 KJV), some have pointed to this as an ironic echo of God’s words in Genesis 3:22. In John 20:15, Mary mistakes the risen Jesus for the gardener—that which was supposed to be Adam’s occupation. And just as death came to all through disobedience concerning a tree (Genesis 2:17), life came to all through obedience on a tree (the cross).
The Last Adam
1 Corinthians 15:45 calls Jesus “the last Adam.” As Adam was once the head of humanity, our representative, Jesus is now our representative before God. Another will not be needed, for in Christ, the work of redemption and reconciliation is complete.
Alyssa Roat studied writing, theology, and the Bible at Taylor University. She is a literary agent at C.Y.L.E., the publicity manager at Mountain Brook Ink, and a freelance editor with Sherpa Editing Services. Her passions for Biblical study and creativity collide in her writing. Her debut novel Wraithwood releases Nov. 7, 2020. She has had 150 bylines in publications ranging from The Christian Communicator to Keys for Kids. Find out more about her here and on social media @alyssawrote.
You might see the phrase adorning houses that have differing sports teams or political views: “A house divided.” Though it is mainly shown to be humorous about the conflicting opinions within the household, the origins of this phrase are very sound and biblical.
The words of Jesus are what sparked the sentiment. It is stated in Matthew 12:25: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” It is also expressed in Mark 3:25: “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
While it is said in playful humor for certain situations nowadays, when Jesus stated these words, He was describing the division within the house of the Lord that would eventually lead to His sacrifice on the cross.
But what does it mean that “a house divided cannot stand”? In the eyes of Jesus, it is something we all can contribute to, knowingly or unknowingly, but we can also stop it before it is too late.
The Context: Jesus Is Called Satan by the Pharisees
In the context of both verses in Matthew and Mark, the issues began as Jesus was developing His ministry and performing miracles while spreading God’s truth throughout the land. Matthew describes Jesus’s healing of a demon-possessed, blind, and mute man, while Mark depicts the overwhelming crowds clamoring for Jesus to bring healing into their lives, which was not shared among His fellow brethren.
In both situations, the Pharisees witnessed the miraculous changes Jesus was bringing to the people, and believed that He was operating in the spirit of Beelzebub, another name to describe Satan. To them, this would explain how Jesus was able to cast out demons, because they were His own kind (Matt. 12:24, Mk. 3:22).
In response to these accusations, Jesus reflected on this concept by asking the question of how “Satan could cast out Satan?” (Matt. 12:26; Mk. 3:23). He goes on to explain in both passages that any kingdom divided against itself will be destroyed, and any house divided against itself cannot stand.
This notion is to convey that when a house (or a kingdom) is fighting against itself, it can’t prosper or overcome the battle. Any victories only lead to losses and nothing good can come from it.
Jesus goes on to say, going back to the Pharisees calling him Beelzebub/Satan, that “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?” (Matt. 12:26). Mark 3:26 makes this point as well, stating that if Satan were to rise up to himself, he wouldn’t stand, but would have an end instead.
Just as Jesus makes it a point that Satan wouldn’t prosper if he was against himself, He makes an even bigger point in seeing the house as the body of Christ dealing with the same self-inflicting wounds.
Though it would be clear that a house divided would fall apart structurally, Jesus was more specific when it comes to what represents “the house.”
As we read in Matthew and Mark, the Pharisees were against anything that didn’t follow the rules and regulations that they determined were to honor God the most (the same rules and regulations that helped them prosper the most as well).
But as Jesus describes in the verses from Matthew and Mark about a divided house, His perspective is pointed at the divided house within the body of believers of God. The Pharisees were going after their own house, meaning Jesus, because He didn’t follow the rules and regulations they established. He was disproving everything they stood for – the things which brought them fortune and others poverty. Jesus was flipping all of their expectations, and their hearts were hardened towards His message.
By condemning what He was doing (performing miracles, helping those deemed “unholy,” and healing on the Sabbath), the Pharisees hoped others would see the “believed wrong” Jesus was doing and continue following the Pharisee’s unrighteous, greedy plans.
Jesus even boldly proclaimed in Matthew 12:30 that “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” This is definitely a statement directed towards the Pharisees, that those who don’t believe in Jesus and what God had brought Him to earth to do would find it to their undoing. They will be scattered without Christ’s guidance.
Photo credit: Crosswalk.com/SWNnull
Christians Must Be United, not Divided
The profound words of Jesus captured in the books of Matthew and Mark are words we should live by now, as we grapple with a tumultuous world and a body of believers that have had their fair share of in-fighting.
As we have seen in recent years, some of the biggest debates have circulated among Christians over various topics; a perfect example of what Jesus means by “a house divided.”
Why should Christians be unified? Well, the biggest reason is to remind a world in need of hope that the truest hope is found in Jesus and knowing He died on the cross so we could be saved from our sins and reunite with God again. This world will do all it can to destroy our hope for a better future, but Jesus reminds us that God has a better future for us on earth and in heaven.
However, if we are divided in our beliefs as the body of Christ, this shows the world and the unbelievers that it is better to be on your own than to believe in a God that allows such turmoil among His own people. God doesn’t allow it; we allow it when we don’t come together, rectify our differences, and unify to spread God’s love and hope to others.
If we feel we are dividing, we need to remember Jesus’s words that we won’t stand against life’s challenges or even unbelievers’ questions because our foundation of knowledge and truth won’t be firmly in the shared belief of God. We will be scattered abroad, as Jesus states in Matthew 12:30, instead of uniting together to speak God’s Word to those who need to hear it.
We need to re-examine what is dividing us and see if the reasons are for our own agendas, or because we are following a leadership different from that of God.
Our house can stand if we stop trying to justify our own rules and regulations pertaining to God and instead stick to the Bible as the only representation of God’s truth.
While this phrase is normally a comical jab at people living under the same roof who like opposing sports teams or have different viewpoints on matters, it is actually a sound, biblical truth that Jesus shared as a warning to all believers.
He stated that “a house divided against itself will not stand,” making the point to the Pharisees, who were set on disproving everything that Jesus did and actually were causing strife among the body of believers.
The same understanding applies to believers today, as we are divided as a body over several elements of the world today. But if we continue to be divided over issues instead of united in following God’s teachings, our house of faith, truth, and love will not stand against life’s storms.
Now is the time for us to come together to stabilize our house to not let division unsettle it. For if we stand with Jesus, God will always keep our house together and know that life’s promises are nothing compared to the promises of God.
Blair Parke is a freelance writer for BibleStudyTools.com and editor for Xulon Press. A graduate of Stetson University with a Bachelor’s in Communications, Blair previously worked as a writer/editor for several local magazines in the Central Florida area, including Celebration Independent and Lake Magazine in Leesburg, Florida and currently freelances for the Southwest Orlando Bulletin.
Many Christian “ologies” exist: pneumatology, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, missiology, eschatology, hamartiology, bibliology, and others. Most notable is Theology-the study of God. Within Theology exist certain subsets which include but are not limited to: Biblical theology, exegetical theology, historical theology, and the umbrella under which all the others subsist, systematic theology.null
Systematic theology is best defined by Professor John Frame (retired) and recorded for us by Dr. Wayne Grudem in his 1994 edition of Systematic Theology: “Systematic Theology is any study that answers the question, ’What does the whole Bible teach us today?’ about any given topic’” Systematic theology is comprised of the compilation and comprehension of all the pertinent passages in the Bible and then the encapsulation of them in a clear, teachable form so we have a firm foundation for our beliefs. Systematic theology interacts directly with Scripture and not with extant sources.
Systematic Theology differs from historical theology in that historical theology looks at how Christians of different periods of time have regarded Scripture. In addition, philosophical theology studies biblical topics largely without the use of the Bible. Instead, it uses logical reasoning and the observation of the universe and nature to know God.
What Is the History of Systematic Theology?
Most scholars agree systematic theology has existed since the earliest days of the church, although it did not get titled as such until the term originated with German theologian Bartholomäus Keckermann (1572–1609).
The Bereans practiced systematic theology when they examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul and Silas told them was so (Acts 17:10-12).
The early church fathers most probably were systematic theologians as they researched and answered questions about the Way. In Medieval times, John of Damascus (675-749 AD), a Greek Orthodox theologian, sought to develop instruction for the Church. He compiled four theological books, which, although cited as authoritative, did not receive approval by any church council.null
By the 17th century, the Westminster Confession of Faith became the most highly advanced version of systematic theology. To this day, it continues as an essential statement of faith by many Presbyterian churches.
The Enlightenment (late 17th and early 18th century) caused a falling away from the faith for many until the 1800s with the publication of Charles Hodge’s Systematic Theology (1872-1873). It remains in print and, next to Calvin’s Institutes, is the most referenced textbook (Reformed).
The most recent generations of Evangelicals are regarded as the most intellectual Christians, and systematic theologies are highly regarded (and used) by a good percentage. A quick survey of bookstores (brick & mortar and online Christian and secular) reveals numerous books on systematic theology and its subsets.
What Is the Difference between Biblical and Systematic Theology?
Systematic theology, as we have defined, makes use of the entire Bible to discover doctrines about biblical topics (The doctrines of the word of God, God, man, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the church, and each of the subsets within each topic). It looks at all passages that pertain to any given topic, whether in the Old Testament or in the New Testament.
Biblical theologyfalls under systematic theology in that it is part of it. Biblical theology organizes its topics according to the order they are found in the Bible. It includes both the Old and New Testaments, but it may do a search on the Holy Spirit with the proviso of asking what the Old Testament has to say about the Holy Spirit. The study expanded to the New Testament may ask, what does Paul have to say about the Holy Spirit? Unlike Systematic Theology, biblical theology is not all-encompassing (covering the entire Bible). It spotlights the teachings of individual authors within sections of Scripture and places the instruction within its historical context and the development thereof.null
A more complete list of theologies includes historical theology (how Christians of different eras have understood biblical topics), philosophical theology (theology studied largely without the use of the Bible, but instead looking at God through the lens of His creation), and apologetics (a defensive posture used to convince unbelievers of the biblical truths).
Why Is Systematic Theology Important for Us Today?
Systematic theology is like everyday rationalizations in that we rely on how the Bible speaks to us according to God’s character, His Word, and how He ordered history.
If I want to learn all I can about the doctrine of man (his creation, gender, sinful nature) and his relationship with God, I need to search throughout the whole of the Bible (this is where the Bible tools of a concordance, dictionary, lexicon, and indeed a Systematic Theology reference book are necessary). Another prodigious asset is a website such as the Blue Letter Bible, which includes cross-references, commentaries, topical indexes, and many other useful aids.
Why, though, should we study theology in a systematic way? Why is it important?
Obedience. The preeminent One (Colossians 1:18)—Jesus—gives a commission to all believers in Matthew 28:19-20. How are we to teach all He commanded if we have no knowledge of His commands (1 John 5:2)? His directives begin in the Old Testament (Genesis 2:24, Colossians 1:16, Deuteronomy 34:28) and continue through Revelation 1:1-3, 19; 22;18-19). As an illustration, the whole Bible is necessary for a complete assessment of a topic, we’ll look at a few things done by Jesus. He quoted the Old Testament both to refute the devil (Matthew 4:1-11) and to substantiate His authority (Luke 4:16-21, John 4:25-26; 8:24; 18:6). The Gospels are replete with Jesus’ commands, and they are encapsulated and expanded in the books of Acts through Revelation. As Christians, to know His commands is to follow them in obedience.
To learn about God and love Him more. What better tutorial about our Creator than the one He Himself wrote (2 Peter 1:21). Our love for Him will grow as we read what He has done (John 3:16, 1 John 4:19), is doing (John 14:3; 17:9, 20, 26), and will do for us (John 14:1-3).
To understand our history. In the beginning (Genesis 1:1)…That’s where our history began. The Bible gives us the whole boundary of who we were, are, and will be (in glory).
To learn where we will go. The Bible, while not expansive in its communication about heaven, is definitive in that believers will be there with Jesus (John 14:1-3).
To follow the red thread through the Bible. The red thread is a reference to what the Bible has to say about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, throughout Scripture. From Christophanies in the Old Testament to prophecies of His Second Advent, Jesus is the gist of Scripture.
To facilitate our lessons as we teach others. Since we are students of the Word, it only makes sense that we should know what we teach. Whether it’s a one-on-one discipleship study or a presentation to hundreds, our knowledge of Scripture buttresses our lessons.
To rejoice in our Savior with praise. As we pray and then study the word, the Lord opens our eyes and hearts (and oft-times, our lips) to what He reveals to us. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we understand and apply with joy all He is and who we are because of Him. Don’t be surprised if He brings hymns to mind as you study. Do take the time to sing in praise of Him.
When we undertake a systematic study of the Bible, it’s good to remember this wisdom:
Pray and enlist the help of others. None of us has reached the point of total knowledge. God has given us His church for mutual edification and encouragement. Find someone who is more mature in the faith. If something stumps both of you, seek counsel from another who is more seasoned.
With reason. In everything, go forth with wisdom from the Lord (Proverbs 2:6; 3:5-6;9:10, James 1:5-6).
Theological study is not for the faint in diligence. It’s hard work, yet the rewards exceed our human imaginations and take them to the heights of heaven. Those who have gone before us bequeathed us with wisdom regarding the study of God’s Word:
If you are ignorant of God’s Word, you will always be ignorant of God’s will. —Billy Graham
I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible. —D. L. Moody
In fact, the devil is delighted when we spend our time and energy defending the Bible, as long as we do not get around to actually reading the Bible. —R. C. Sproul, Jr.
I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from The Savior of the world is communicated to us through this Book. —Abraham Lincoln
And this nugget from C.S. Lewis: We come to Scripture not to learn a subject but to steep ourselves in a Person.
The Bible has been referred to as God’s love letter to us (John 3:16). As we study Him, His Son (John 1:1), and His Holy Spirit in His Word, we acknowledge and welcome His love for us with emotion and intellect. Study the Bible with a combination of both and enter your study with joyful expectancy of what the Lord will teach you. Then apply it in your life. Your love for Him will grow with every deep journey into the Bible.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Sincerely Media
Lisa Loraine Baker is a rock & roll girl who loves Jesus. She and her husband, Stephen, inhabit their home as the “Newlyweds of Minerva” with crazy cat, Lewis. Lisa is co-author of the non-fiction narrative, “Someplace to be Somebody” (End Game Press, spring 2022). She has also written for Lighthouse Bible Studies, and CBN.com,
1st Chronicles 16:34, and what it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 26, 2021
1st Chronicles 16:34 says O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. I give thanks unto the Lord on a daily basis. What is the definition of the word mercy? Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. So, to me, mercy is a “love that responds to human need in an unexpected or unmerited way.” At its core, mercy is forgiveness.
The Bible speaks of God’s love for sinners – that is, for all of us. But the Bible also relates mercy to other qualities beyond love and forgiveness. Mercy is also compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy. What is the difference between kindness and mercy? Kindness is a quality of being generous and considerate to someone, and mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom is within someone’s harm.
Next, mercy consist of forgiveness that is shown towards someone who is harmed. Anyway, back to the subject at hand. 1st Chronicles 16:34 is very true. His mercy endures forever. This is the truth because God is always around for all of us. God is merciful and forgiving. God is the center of my life at this time. God continues to love me, and accept me for who I am. God loves all of us. He knew us from the time that we were inside of our mother’s womb.
Further, the Lord has been good to me for the past 56 years. The Lord God has been by my side; even when I might have forsaken him myself. You see, God wants me to change the way I talk to myself. Whenever we get to the point in life that when we feel depressed and sad, God wants all of us to enjoy a life filled with Him.
For the past 56 years, I have managed to enjoy God’s goodness, even when I was rebellious. My grandparents and mother sent me to church for a reason. My parents wanted me to be filled with the Spirit. My parents wanted me to become a God-Fearing Man. By becoming a God-Fearing Man, I would become Christlike. I will admit that I did what other rebellious children were doing. I also admitted that I have a conscious.
Finally, I want to inform everyone that I used to associate myself with street gang members for 18 years. Even though, I attended church on a regular basis. I still had a problem with my mouth. The tongue is a consuming fire. The tongue defiles a man. What comes out of man when he is defiled is murder, rape, robbery, fornication, and a bitter heart. God remained close to me.
I want to inform all of you that grief lives in the past. Grace looks forward to the past. Grace liberates, and grief incarcerates. The Holy Spirit is inside of us. Goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. The Lord is good for all of those who continues to obey him. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, please Lord gives me the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Just for today!! God loves you, and I love all of you for the rest of my entire life. God Bless You!!
Good Day Everyone!! I would like to ask everyone a very important question. What does this Bible verse Matthew 19:26 mean to all of you? For me personally, I have to change my expectations and allow God to work things out for me. Matthew 19:26 in the King James Version states 26.) But Jesus beheld them and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Next, this means that I will have to deny myself and follow Him. I say this because I am guilty of saying something is going to happen. When it does not happen for me, this means that God did not want me to have anything at man’s convenience and expense. It is the Lord who will provide.
Matthew’s Bible verse is very interesting. In actuality, it is Jesus who is talking to His disciples and letting them know that man cannot tell God what to do. It is the Lord who will bless you when the time is right. It does not mean that we have to stop having faith in God and obtain the things that we need on our own accord. One of our biggest problems is that some of us do not have patience. We have to exercise patience and self-control when it comes to maintaining good behavior inside of a changing society.
Mark 9:23 King James Version indicates; 23.) Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Mark’s gospel is different because Jesus is saying that as long as a person believe in Him; as well as have faith, all things are possible for him who believes. However, the disciples were trying to cast out a mute spirit from a little boy, and they were not successful at casting the spirit out. It was also the father of the little boy who had disbelieved.
Further, he pleaded with Jesus to help him with his unbelief because Jesus had healed the unbelieving man’s son. Jesus commanded the deaf and dumb spirit to leave the child. In addition, Jesus stated that this type of spirit can come out by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:23 goes hand in hand with Matthew 19:26 because it has a whole lot to do with our belief in Him. Both of these Bible verses would give anyone who does not believe in Jesus Christ to immediately believe.
Also, I want to say that I believe in Jesus Christ even though I sin from time to time. According to Romans 3:23; it says: For all have sinned and has fallen short of the glory of God. I will always believe in God. I would like for all of you to please pray for me because I suffer from multiple health problems. Therefore, I am taking a total of 23 prescription medications on a daily basis. I am a member of Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio.
Luke 18:27 in the King James Bible says: And he said: The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Honestly, Luke’s gospel Bible verse is different, but similar. It is simply saying that with man, it is impossible, but it is definitely possible with God. I am placing emphasis on these three Bible verses because I will admit that I am working the 12 Steps of recovery on a daily basis. Do you know that the 12 Steps are inside of the Bible?
In Summary, these three Bible verses should give anyone hope. I will admit that I used to have an anger management problem for 8 years. When I was living in Charlotte, NC; I used to attend a group called Double Trouble in Recovery. This class was held on Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30pm to 8:15pm. It helped me to manage my troubled emotions because I also have a mental illness.
Furthermore, I am trying to put things in perspective and allow God to work inside of me with the Holy Spirit. I feel at this time that I am getting better at managing my behavior. My belief in the Lord right now is very strong.
Finally, I can say that I read the Bible and pray every single day because it enables me to stay strong. The Gospels that are inside of the Bible helps everyone to read and listen to the verses. Listen to yourself read out loud. Please pray before you read the Bible. Please ask God to talk to you. My name is Anthony Hopkins and I love all of you. I believe in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. God Bless all of you. Remember to please pray for me. Remember that the Lord will always make it possible for anyone to believe in Him.
1st Corinthians 3:16, and What it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 20, 2021
1st Corinthians 3:16 says Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? I really believe it that our bodies are the temple of the God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. This is the reason why I stopped drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. I have been clean and sober for 31 years now. I am so happy that my temple is clean.
Next, my temple is holy and sacred. I understand that God has saved me from myself. The Lord has literally cleaned me up. I know that I belong to God. I want to say that there was a period of time when I did not care about myself. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I recall a period of time when I used to drink and smoke for 18 years. I know that I went through a period of time when I was a follower rather than a leader. The reason why I am writing this essay is because my body belongs to Jesus Christ.
Further, I want to say that I do not engage in reckless behavior anymore. I do not look at pornography anymore. I choose to obey God, and watch Him work. God loves all of us. How do you respond to God? The answer is obedience. If I love God, I am going to become obedient. What drives us to God is need. I want to inform all of you that our bodies belong to God. The Spirit of God dwells inside of us. The Spirit of God helps me in my time of need.
Moreover, I want the Lord to speak inside of my heart. Ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins. The temple itself is not a metaphor. This is a specific thing that we possess inside of our bodies. This means that God wants us to do the right things. Do you know that one of my friends told me in my face that I should not write about God!! I want to inform all of you that God is faithful to me. God’s temple is holy and sacred because we are supposed to share His word with everyone. I am happy that God is reminding me of His faithfulness.
Finally, I want to inform all of you that I am going to continue to pray without ceasing. I am going to continue to read the Bible, so that I can communicate with God on a daily basis. My temple has been through a whole lot of stress for the past few years. My temple is nice, kind, fantastic, and excellent. My temple is sharing God’s message with everyone. My temple always listens to church sermons.
In order for God to be faithful, God states that His truth endures forever. I love the Lord because he loved me when I was inside of my mother’s womb. God’s nature cannot change. God cannot change. My temple is pure. My temple is gracious. Whatever the case is, we make our needs to God. Do you know that we are supposed to do God’s Will? He answers prayers. God is unchangeable. God is the Lord and Master in my life.
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