September 22, 2005

Scripture Over System

…it is the duty of the theologian to subordinate his theories to the Bible, and teach not what seems to him to be true or reasonable, but simply what the Bible teaches.
Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, 3 vols. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993), 2:559.

1 comment:

Tony Byrne said...

Hi Mike,

I know what you are saying, hence the "over" qualification. It's not the scriptures against system, but scriptures over system. I suspected that the sensitive systematizers would feel some ache in reading these words ;-)

Forming a theological system is inevitable. Further, I would say that forming a Christian worldview or system is a divine imperative. The mind of Christ is not less than a coherent view of reality, and we are to grow into his likeness mentally and otherwise. We should pursue theological coherence.

Thanks for your valid points...