It was Rushdoony (1994) who wrote:
It is a serious mistake to see theology as an academic exercise. The word theology means God’s word; it begins with the presupposition that Scripture is the word of God, and the duty of the theologian is to understand it and to apply it to every area of life and thought. … For me theology means the total mandate of God through His word. What I have written only scratches the surface; it is an introduction to the subject, and it is written to move men to faith and action. The neglect of theology in our time is in part due to the theologians, who have multiplied the various divisions, so that, among the divisions of study have been Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology, Dogmatical Theology, Exegetical Theology, Practical Theology, and so on. The areas of study also include such subjects as Natural Theology and Speculative Theology. With the inventions of so many variations, it is no wonder that both pastors and people have lost interest in the subject and avoid it (Rushdoony, 1994, p. xv).
There are many useful theological texts, beginning with Rushdoony’s two volume set, that would be helpful on the shelves of a home-based educating family:
Berkhof, L. (1941). Systematic Theology. Edinburgh, Scotland: The Banner of Truth Trust.
Conner, K. J. (2004). The Foundations of Christian Doctrine. Melbourne, Victoria: KJC Publications
Grudem, W. (2009 ). Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan
McNeill, J. T. [ed.]. (1960). Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion in Two Volumes, The Library of Christian Classics, Volume XXI. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.
Reymond, R. L. (1998). A New Systematic Theology of The Christian Faith, Second Edition. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Rushdoony, R. J. (1994). Systematic Theology In Two Volumes. Vallecito, California: Ross House Books
Rushdoony points out the importance of theology when he writes:
The churches of our time seem to believe that God exists to save man and keep him happy. … But the world is not governed by your and my will and wishes, but by the triune God and His eternal decree. Until we learn that fact, and say Amen to it as persons and societies, we shall only gain God’s wrath and judgment. Of course, our humanistic age finds the wrath of God a remote concept; it will soon learn other wise, because God is God (Rushdoony, 1998, p. xvi).
Let us carefully deliver the Faith to future generations, as once delivered to us, through the line upon line, precept upon precept study of sound Biblical theology.
References
Rushdoony, R. J. (1994). Systematic Theology In Two Volumes. Vallecito, California: Ross House Books
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The Word of God is Jesus Christ and unless theology builds its foundation on the Rock, and a loving faithful obedient relationship with him, it will flounder. The words and thoughts of man will never suffice, no matter how theologically sound they appear. (In this I am not discounting our need to reason and try to understand what is to the best of our ability) The problem with a human centered rational approach to Scripture is that the focus is more on conceptual understanding, rather than a humble heart obedient response which is what God desires from his children. So much division and disunity is the history of religion and the church that something fundamental is wrong. I believe from many years of observation and experience and our educational systems reflect this, that it is this very notion of thinking we have learnt something or know something when we can replicate words and concepts. What we mostly invariably have learnt is to describe our (mostly others’) thoughts and explanations. They may be far removed from our hearts, from reality and what God really wants. Thinking and writing or speaking about God’s will no matter how ‘correct’ from whichever theological perspective you come, is not the answer but doing God’s will is. True theology should as you say lead us to faith and action and living in Christ and for him to the glory of God.
What people, teachers, parents, children, need is to be confronted with God’s Word, with Jesus and the Father, and cry out for God’s Spirit to pierce and reach our hearts so we believe and turn from sin and turn to the Saviour and Lord of life and be filled with his presence and Spirit doing God’s will, bearing his fruit and works. All our teaching and learning is in vain unless we learn to trust and respond to a loving merciful just God whose words last forever and will control the destiny of nations and every individual.
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