Chapter 1 - Introduction to Systematic Theology

After a brief preface outlining the way Grudem is going to go about his book (and laying out on p16 his own convictions on "disputed points" - which I'm sure will be helpful to come back to when looking at those chapters) the first chapter is an introduction to the whole subject. I thought the whole thing was very well written and easy to follow, and the fact he's not introducing doctrine yet means there's not much to argue about! There were a few points I found myself pondering, though:

The first was Grudem's definition of systematic theology (meaning, with lower case, the discipline rather than the book) - that it 'answers the question "What does the whole Bible teach us today?" about any given topic' (p21). This sounds great, but it does leave the risk that we pull certain passages out of their context (or miss important passages altogether) while putting together our view. Of course, we trust that Grudem will have done his utmost to be biblical but it's important to make sure that we only accept what he says if his scriptural arguments are convincing (as he says on p25).

Secondly, the objection that the choice and arrangement of topics will pre-determine the outcome (p31). It seems that if each topic is given a fair airing then this shouldn't be so, and the order of the doctrines do look sensible. The Word of God is first - without it we would know very little about anything else so it seems sensible to start by defining exactly what the word is and isn't. The rest seem to flow in a natural enough order.

Finally, from p32-37, the importance of how we go about our study. Hopefully it will be with prayer, with humility (which often go together), with reason, with help from others (which is why I have you guys!), looking at all relevant Bible passages and with rejoicing and praise to the great God we learn about.

So, what about you? Anything jump off the page? In case not, here are a couple of questions I'd be interested to hear your answers to (nicked from the questions on p38):
1. What do you think would be the implications for a church which gave up learning systematic theology?
2. Are there any doctrines you're particularly looking forward to? Nervous of? Looking through the contents, some things are already getting my heart racing!