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Sunday, September 30, 2012

How to Systematize Messianic Theology

So I was thinking about adding a doctrinal statement in the FAQs section and then I got a little sidetracked and started contemplating how to systematize Messianic Theology.  The problem is figuring out how to adapt the protestant systematic framework to a Jewish framework.  But here's my initial list:



Theology Proper (G-d)

Nomonology (Law)


Trinitology (Trinity)

Pneumatology (Ruach)

Christology (Moshiach)

Bibliology (Scripture)

Hamartiology (Sin)

Soteriology (Salvation)

Ecclesiology (Community)

Antropology (Man)

Israelology (Israel)

Anyone have any suggestions as to categories or how to order the categories?  There should be a category for covenant as well but I can't think of a suitable Greek term that would come close to...I'd say Britology (as in the Hebrew "brit" for covenant) but that sounds too much like Britain...




10 comments:

  1. Perhaps "Beritology" which is an alternate phonetic spelling of Brit (Hebrew for covenant)

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  2. Also Eschatology. And if anyone has any recommendations as to how to organize the sub-topics under teach topic of Theology that would be helpful.

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  3. Here's an example of what I mean:

    I. Theology Proper (G-d)

    A. Trinitology

    1. The Compatibility of the Doctrine of Trinity with the Shema

    B. Christology

    1. Humanity and Deity

    2. Yeshua as Passover Lamb

    3. Yeshua as Prophet, High Priest, and King

    C. Pneumatology

    1. Function of the Ruach

    II. Bibliology

    A. Canonization

    B. Authority of Written Torah

    C. Authority of Oral Tradition

    III. Anthropology (Man and Woman)

    A. The Image of G-d

    B. Male and Female

    IV. Beritology

    A. Beritology

    B. Nomonology

    C. Hamartiology

    D. Soteriology

    1. Atonement

    E. Ecclesiology

    F. Israelology

    V. Eschatology

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  4. Peter, I've placed an outline of a course of instruction I've been providing a group of people in my church in our Dropbox folder that might be of use to you. It's called "Essential Teachings". Let me know if it helps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know I've visited seminaries and examined their systematic theologies and I never saw a table of contents in one of them that was as detailed as what you just gave me. It's really extraordinary. The nerd in me is overjoyed right now.

      Delete
  5. Under IV B "Nomonology" do you mean "Nomology" as in the systematic study laws? Or do you mean something else?

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  6. I incorporated your elements into the outline and beefed up the covenantology section as follows:
    8. Covenantology
    a. Covenant Theology vs. Dispensationalism
    b. Biblical covenants
    i. Adamic
    ii. Noahic
    iii. Abrahamic
    iv. Mosaic
    v. Davidic
    vi. New
    c. Types of covenants
    i. Parity covenant – covenant between equals. Participants call each other “brother”. It is an agreement between men (Genesis 21:27; 26:31; 31:44-54; 1 Kings 5:12; 15:19; 20:32-34; Amos 1:9)
    ii. Royal grant – a grant of land or benefit made by a king to a faithful servant. It was unconditional and the benefits could pass down to heirs as long as they continued to exemplify their ancestor’s faithful service. (Noah – Genesis 9:8-17; Abraham – Genesis 15:9-21; Phinehas – Numbers 25:10-13; David – 2 Samuel 7:5-16; New Covenant – Jeremiah 31:31-34)
    iii. Suzerain/vassal – a covenant made between a great king and a vassal king. It went beyond a legal relationship to one based on absolute loyalty and love. It was in fact a form of adoption. It always included the following elements:
    1. Preamble – Identifying the Great King (Deuteronomy 5:6; Exodus 20:1-2)
    2. Historical prologue – What the Great King had already done for the vassal (Deuteronomy 5:6; Joshua 23:9-10; Judges 2:1)
    3. Stipulations – the rules and requirements (Exodus 20:3-17; Deuteronomy 5:7-21)
    4. Blessings and sanctions – spelling out the benefits of keeping the treaty and the consequences of disloyalty. (Deuteronomy 5:32-33; 6:24-25; 7:9-11; Joshua 23:12-13)
    5. Public ritual – this involved giving a copy of the treaty to each party, having a public ceremony or an exchange of a gift like a ring or seals. Regular reading of the treaty was required to keep it fresh in the various party’s minds. (Exodus 24:1-8; Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 20-25; Joshua 24:16-27)
    d. Nomology
    9. Israelology

    ReplyDelete