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An Encouragement to Systematic Theology

Posted by Joshua Claycamp on

http://scriptoriumdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/Balthasar-Hubmaier.jpgI take note of the many different denominations and classes of Christians that all claim the Scriptures as their guide, yet have widely divergent practices of Christian faith. Is it possible that God, who is said to be One, has hundreds, maybe even thousands, of different meanings in His Word? I strongly doubt this is the case. It is far more probable that God has one intended meaning, and human error is the culprit for so many differences in the many denominations of Christianity.

So what is the cause of these differences? What is the root of this human error? I do not think that for most the problem is an intentional desire to misunderstand or willfully ignore what the Bible is saying. If it is not willful misunderstanding, then all that could remain is a lack of comprehensive consideration for all of the Scriptures. We're not seeing the totality of things.

It isn't that we are diabolical twisters or Satanic distorters of Scripture. Rather, we are just not nearly systematic enough in our study of the entirety of God's Word. So this is a testimony to the pursuit of Systematic Theology as well as Biblical Theology. Indeed, as we dialogue about the purest practice of our faith, this statement continues to come to mind:

"Whoever makes a whole judgement but does not lay the counter-Scriptures on the same scale next to it, to him a half-truth is more damaging than a whole lie."

-Balthasar Hubmaier

Anabaptist Theologian and martyr

From Balthasar Hubmaier, "Freedom of the Will, I" in Balthasar Hubmaier: Theologian of Anabaptism, H. Wayne Pipkin and John H. Yoder, eds., (Scottdale, PA: Herald, 1989), pg. 428.

Tags: scripture, interpretation, meaning, correct conclusions

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