Systematic Theology with Dr. Ligon Duncan
On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast we get to hear from Dr. Ligon Duncan on the topic of systematic theology. Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III is the Chancellor & CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary and the John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology. He served as Senior Minister of the historic First Presbyterian Church (1837) in Jackson, Mississippi for 17 years (1996-2013). He is co-founder of Together for the Gospel, Senior Fellow of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (having served as both Chairman of the Board and President), and was President of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals from 2004-2012. Dr. Duncan served as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (2004-2005). He studied at Furman University, Greenville, SC (BA); Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis (M.Div., MA, cum laude); and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (Ph.D.). In addition to editing, writing, and contributing to numerous books and being involved in various facets of ministry, he and his wife Anne reside in Jackson, MS and have two adult children.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Why should all Christians study theology?
How does it help us grow in maturity and godliness?
What would you say to someone who thinks they don't need doctrine, but they just need Jesus?
What is systematic theology?
What's the difference between systematic theology and other types of theology?
Why is it helpful to engage in the study of systematic theology in contrast to other areas of theological study?
When did you begin your own study of systematic theology and how did studying the Bible this way deepen your knowledge and understanding of God?
How does careful study of what the whole Bible says about a particular topic help us to better understand and articulate what the Bible teaches?
What are some helpful categories under the umbrella of systematic theology that might be important for us to try and understand?
How should we begin our study? What should our heart’s posture be?
NOTEWORTHY QUOTES
“God is the most important thing in the world, so the study of God is very very important to living our lives. If God is more important than anything, then I want to know as much about God as I possibly can.”
“Jesus says the cure for a troubled heart is believing in God and believing in Jesus. That means knowing things about God and knowing things about Jesus and believing and trusting them.”
“For the Christian, our comfort is tied up in knowing theology, why wouldn’t you want to know that?”
Why do we study theology? “God is more important than anything else, and our comfort is tied up in knowing God.”
“In the best of times and in the worst of times, knowing who God is, knowing what he’s like, knowing what he’s like towards us, knowing how he is for us in Christ, that permeates everything in life, from the most tragic moments to the best moments.”
“In this life we’re tempted to love other things in this world more than God, but there’s nothing in this world that is better than God.”
“Theology is meant to reinforce that by learning that truth from the Word and then seeing that truth work out in experience. It’s a very practical endeavor.”
“Any godly Christian can put their nose in the Bible and start thinking God’s thoughts after him, and that’s theology.”
“Theology is not something for the professionals or the academics… but everyone wants to know who God is, and everybody ought to want to know how to relate to that God.”
“Theology is meant to help us have peace in the midst of the turmoil of life.” (John 16)
“Paul says theology is for marriage. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25). The atonement, the basis for our salvation, is also the model for how Christian husbands are to love their wives.”
“The Bible will deploy theology in practical ways for the Christian life: for peace, for joy, for marriage, for assurance of salvation…”
Encouragement for those who desire to deeply study theology, but are in a season of extreme busy-ness (school, motherhood, full-time work, etc.)... “Be patient with yourself. memorize Scripture, memorize hymns, do theology while you do everyday texts.”
Sign for when washing the dishes - “Divine worship held here three times daily.”
“Systematic theology is the topical study of the content of Scripture with a view to summarizing the main categories of Bible teaching and relating them to one another.”
“Biblical theology studies chronologically and historically as God’s plan of redemption unfolds in history from Genesis to Exodus to Moses to David to the later prophets to Jesus in the new testament and apostles…”
“Knowing God’s Word helps you fight sin, and it also helps you know what God is like.”
“We have to know how to know God before we know God.”
Stephen Charnock - “We cannot worship God as we ought until we know him as he is.”
“We want truth to shape our hearts and lives so that our hearts are shaped by the same attitudes that were in Christ Jesus.”
“If we’re studying theology in order to confirm our preconceived notions (or to win an argument)… that’s a bad reason, but if we’re studying theology to make sure we’re conforming our thoughts to what the Bible says, that’s a really good reason to study theology.”
“Constantly turn your study of theology into prayer, and constantly sing it back to God.”
Practical applications for those seeking to grow in theology:
- Memorize: Practice memorization of Scripture
- Pray: Make it a practice of praying your theology back to God
- Sing: As you study, ask “what is a song I can sing about this doctrine?”
RESOURCES
Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief by Bruce Milne
Concise Theology by J.I. Packer
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How does studying theology help us grow in maturity and godliness?
How does careful study of what the whole Bible says about a particular topic help us to better understand and articulate what the Bible teaches?
How, specifically, did this episode grow your understanding of and love for God?
How can you go about applying your theology to your daily life?
What are you going to do or implement as a result of what you’ve learned this week?
IMPORTANT NOTE
Journeywomen interviews are intended to serve as a springboard for continued study in the context of your local church. While we carefully select guests each week, interviews do not imply Journeywomen's endorsement of all writings and positions of the interviewee or any other resources mentioned.
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