WHAT IS CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE?

WHAT IS THEOLOGY?

WHAT IS CHARACTERISTICS OF THEOLGY

CHARACTERISTICS OF THEOLOGY #2

CHARACTERISTICS OF THEOLOGY #3

CHARACTERISTICS OF THEOLOGY #4

CHARACTERISTICS OF THEOLOGY #5

Is there really a need to study doctrine?

Also important for a proper relationship with God is belief in the humanity of Jesus.

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Location 413). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

2. Doctrine is important because of the connection between truth and experience.

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Location 420). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Simply feeling good about Jesus cannot be divorced from the question of whether he is genuinely the Son of God. Hope for the future depends on whether his resurrection took place and whether ours will some day.

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Locations 423-425). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

It is, therefore, not simply a question of whether one shall believe, but what one shall believe.

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Locations 428-429). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Theology as Science

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Location 434). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Rather, it must have some of the traditional criteria of scientific knowledge:

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Location 441). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

(2) a method for investigating the subject matter and for verifying assertions;

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Location 442). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

(4) coherence among the propositions of the subject matter so that the content forms a definite body of knowledge rather than a series of unrelated or loosely connected facts.

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Locations 444-445). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

It also occupies common ground with the other sciences.

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Locations 445-446). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

(2) It is communicable— it can be expressed in propositional verbal form.

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Location 447). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

(4) It shares some subject matter with other disciplines. Thus, it is possible that some of its propositions may be confirmed or refuted by natural science, behavioral science, or history.

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Locations 448-449). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

The Starting Point for the Study of Christian Doctrine

Kindle Edition.

Natural theology. The created universe is studied to determine certain truths about God and about human nature. (This empirical approach to doctrine will be examined in chap. 3.)

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Locations 456-457). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

The Scriptures. The Bible is held to be the defining document or the constitution of the Christian faith. Thus, it specifies what is to be believed and what is to be done.

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Locations 459-460). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

The Bible is the constitution of the Christian faith: it specifies what is to be believed and what is to be done.

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Locations 466-467). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

In the case of Christianity, its constitution, the Bible, was not created or formulated by the humans who make up the Christian church. Rather, it originated from God himself. That being the case, only God has the authority to change the standards of belief and practice. The Bible is the guideline that is to be followed since it possesses the right of defining correct belief and practice.

Erickson, Millard J.. Introducing Christian Doctrine (Kindle Locations 471-474). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.