SEMESTER 1
101 – Introduction to Theology
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: THEOLOGY I LESSON # 1
INTRODUCTION TO THEOLOGY
I. WHAT IS THEOLOGY?
1. Theos = God
2. ology = knowledge or science
3. Thus, Theology is the knowledge of, or study of God.
II. WHY STUDY THEOLOGY? (ECC. 9:1-6
)
1. All right concepts of religion depend on theology.
i. Only if God exists is religion logical.
ii. God’s nature and pleasure determine right conduct in religion. i.e., what God is like determines what religion should be like.
III. HOW CAN WE STUDY THEOLOGY? (I COR. 1:19-21)
1. The nature of God can only be discovered by revelation.
i. No human knowledge is original (discovered).
ii. We cannot create evidence, we can only observe.
2. God’s existence may be known, by the visible. (Rom. 1:19-20
)
i. Due to man’s depravity, in knowing only existence, he perverts God. (Rom. 1:21-23)
ii. Thus, man is without excuse, but he is also without hope. (Rom. 2:1-2, Rom. 3:10-18)
iii. Thus, it is the character and nature of God we study, not merely His existence.
3. God’s word is the one and only such revelation.
i. The invisible nature and spiritual existence of God forbid human observation.
ii. God must reveal to man His nature and character if he is to know it.
iii. The Bible alone is God’s flawless revelation.
IV. HOW CAN WE STUDY SCRIPTURE? (I COR. 1:19-20)
1. Man by natural wisdom cannot receive God’s word. (I Cor. 2:14)
2. The revelation of either written or spoken truth is a divine gift. (Mat. 13:10-14)
3. It is a spiritual revelation. (I Cor. 1:10-12)
4. Yet it is not direct revelation to us, but a spiritual revelation of the Bible.
5. The Bible then is words, definitions, languages, statements, all in contexts.
CONCLUSION
1. Diligent, mental labor must be aided by the Holy Spirit. (I Cor. 2:13-15)
2. Let it not be a mere accumulation of facts, but a furnishing unto every good work