Abstract of Systematic Theology

LECTURE I.

The Science of Theology.

The word Theology means literally a discourse concerning God; but in analogy with other words, as geology, chronology and biology, it means the science which treats of God.

It naturally concerns itself with such questions as these : Is there a God ; can He be known; what is His nature, and character; what are the relations He sustains to the universe; particularly to intelligent beings possessed of spiritual natures; and above all, as most important to us, to men; in what ways has He made Himself known; and especi- ally in what aspect does He reveal Himself to them as sinners.

In connection with this last relation it treats, particularly, of man, as a creature of God, placed under the government of His moral law. It inquires into his original condition of innocence, and happiness; the manner in which he fell therefrom; and his present state of sinfulness, and condemnation; and inability for self rescue.

It is thus led, also, to discuss the nature of the salvation which God has provided as seen in the person, and character of Jesus Christ, through whom it has come, and in the works of active, and passive obedience, by which he has wrought out reconciliation to God.

In like manner, also, does it consider the nature, and work of the Holy Spirit, through whom man is led to accept the provisions of God's grace, and to attain through penitence, and faith unto a salvation in Christ, which consists, not in freedom from condemnation only, but also from the dominion and defilement of sin, and in attainment of the holiness, and happiness of children of the Heavenly Father.

5 Abstract of Theology.

It follows man also beyond the death of the body, and makes known the future state of both the righteous, and the wicked, as well before, as after the resurrection of the body, together with the final judgment of both these classes, and the Heaven, and Hell which shall be their respective abodes forever.

Finally it teaches the great end which God is accomplishing through all His works, in the manifestation to all His creatures of His own glory, as seen in its twofold aspect of mercy, and justice, in His deal- ings with this fallen race of man.

The term "theology"' is applied, not only to the science itself, but to any treatise on that science. This is true, not only of a discourse upon the one true God, but even of one upon the many false gods of the Heathen. It is also true, though it be not a scientific discussion, but simply one in narrative., or poetic form, and descriptive of action, rather than of character, and nature. Thus "Orpheus and Homer were called theologians among the Greeks, because their poems treated of the nature of the Gods". (Charles Hodge Sys. Theol. Vol 1. p. 19.) Even the poems of Ossian, though probably written in England with- in the past century, is a book of theology. Mythology is not less theology because it treats of false gods, and in works of the imagi- nation.

The term "theology" is, however, especially appliable to learned, and scientific works upon God, or the Gods. Of these numbers are to be found connected with Heathenism. Such are the Vedas, the most an- cient of the sacred books of the Hindoos. Such is the Zendavesta of the ancient Persians. The Edda which sets forth the Scandinavian my- thology, consists of poetic songs, and also of dialogues on the origin of the, gods, on the creation of the world, and other like topics. [See Gardner's Faiths of the World, Vol. 1, p. 795].

The most valuable discussions among the Heathen, however, are to be found in the works of the Greek philosophers, the greater part of which, when not directly upon the nature of the Gods, involved questions as to the origin of the world, and the presence therein of a Divine controlling Spirit, as well as upon the nature of the soul, and its duties, and its immortality. Of their works many have eome down to us in fragments only, while a large portion of what they taught is found only in the records, and reports made by others among them- selves; but there are also many complete works which profess to have been written by the authors of these speculations. Confessedly the most Abstract of Theology. 6

important of these Greek writings are Xenophon's Memorabilia of So- crates, and the works of Plato, and Aristotle. But from the beginning of Grecian philosophy in Thales and Pythagoras to its culmination in So- crates, Plato, and Aristotle, was not quite two hundred years, while its whole history covers a period of six centuries and a half before, and five centuries after the coming of Christ. No human estimate can be placed upon the value of these contributions, nor upon the influence they have exerted even over those possessed of the Christian Revelation.

The Latin writers also produced several works of a theological character, preeminent among which is that of Cicero "Concerning the nature of the Gods."

Theology is, also, frequently used for the set of opinions exhibited by a writer, or class of writers, in any one, or more productions. Thus we have the theology of Calvin, or of Arminius, or of Baxter, that of the Reformation, Princeton theology, and New England theology. Men also speak of the theology of the^ Old, or of the New Testament, of the theology of the Psalms, of the various Evangelists, especially of John, and of Petrine, and Pauline theology.

Theology is defined as a science. It is eminently worthy of that name. It lacks nothing that constitutes a science. It is concerned in the investigation of facts. It inquires into their existence, their relations to each other, their systematic arrangement, the laws which govern them, and the great principles which are the basis of their existence, and relations

As in other sciences, there is much that is absolutely known, much beyond this that is little questioned, much that is still matter of spec- ulation, and much, as to which there is decided difference of opinion. New facts are constantly developing in this science, as in others, which enable us to verify the facts, and principles heretofore accepted, when correct, and to modify them when erroneous. New theories present themselves for the better explanation of facts already known, and are tested by these, and others subsequently discovered, and are received, or rejected, according to their ascertained correctness. The knowledge of the past is built upon for progression towards the future.