The word theology is derived from the Greek word “theologia” which comes from two words “Theo” and “logia”
Theo meaning God
Logia – speech or utterance, Explanation
Logia comes from the root word “logos “
John 1:1 – 4
The word Logos refers to the logic of a thing or the explanation of a thing. It is the summation of truth that connects to any subject matter. The logo of a thing is the total complete explanation of that thing so when Jesus is called the Logos of God he is simply called the complete and total explanation of God.
Therefore, Jesus is the Logos of God.
Theology is basically the explanation of God through the unveiling of Christ.
Heb 1:1-3, John 14:6-10
The scriptures from Genesis to revelation point to or reveal Christ.
Luke 24:27. , 44, John 5:39
So the law, the psalms, the prophet speak concerning him they point to Jesus.
No man hath seen God at any time it is important to study God through his face – Jesus. 2Cor. 4:6
Jesus is the visible manifestation of God and the scriptures are the progressive revelation of the person of God in Christ.
The law – The first five books speak to Foundation for Christ.
The Psalms – Aspiration for Christ
The Prophets – Inspiration for Christ.
Gospels – Testimony for Christ
Epistles – Revelation of Christ.
So the totalities of scriptures are written and achieve one major thing.
They make you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 3:15-16
If theology is the study of God in Christ and essentially viewing God through the lens of Christ then how is the study conducted?
Remember the scripture point to the word of God.
The scriptures reveal the person of the word
To reveal the person of the word we must diligently search the scriptures to unveil.
The process, art, and science of unveiling the word from the scriptures is called proper bible interpretation or hermeneutics
2 Tim 3:16
Jesus was the first exegeter of scriptures or applier of hermeneutics
Luke 24:27
Expounded – Diermeneuo
This means to unfold the meaning or explain thoroughly
To explain the scriptures thoroughly you must study to scriptures properly
Kinds of Study
1. Word study eg Church Matt 16:18
2. Character study
3. Topical study
4. Book study
5. Testamental study
Rules of Bible Interpretation
1. Law of Context: Every subject matter must-read in the context in which it was written. So to understand the text you must read the pretext and the post text and bring it into context. For no scripture will have two different meanings except explicitly implied in the text or in another text.
2. Law of Emphasis – This refers to the establishment of truth or doctrine. Every subject must satisfy the law of emphasis to be taught in the local church and adopted as doctrine. For at the mouth or two or three witnesses everything shall be established Deut 17:6, Matt 18:16
3. The law of Definition – What does a word or concept mean? What does the word mean in its original language for example “wisdom”
4. The law of usage – How where words used and what did they mean in their time? For example, “the eye of the needle “
5. The rule of historical background. e,g Pharisees, and Sadducees
6. The rule of Precedent – in the study of any word or subject matter we must always follow the law of precedence. How was the word used before? It is called the law of first mention. The first determines the pattern for the rest
7. The rule of Consistency – The revelation of scriptures is consistent throughout. This was the basis for excluding books not consistent with the entire body of truth
Aspects of Theology
1. Christology
2. Soteriology
3. Angeleology
4. Eschatology
5. Pneumatology
6. Anthropology
7. Ecclesiology
Let’s begin with Christology
Christology refers to the study of Christ.
The unveiling of Christ through the law, the prophets, and the psalms.
Luke 24:27, 44, John 5:39
We examine the gradual and progressive revelation of Christ and his purpose from Genesis to Malachi.
Gen 1:1 – in the beginning God
John 1:1 – in the beginning “The Word “
John 1:3 – All things were made by him
Heb 1:3 – upholding all things by the word of his power
So the Christ is the beginning and the End of all we see and don’t see.
The Alpha and the Omega. Rev 1:8 , Rev 1:11, Rev 21:6 – I am the first and the last
So Christ is the explanation of all theology, eschatology, pneumatology, and anthropology.
For he began all things and Ends all.
Now we need to examine Christ in the law beginning from Genesis.
So we begin from Genesis 1:3
“ let there be light “
I am the light of the world John 8:12, John 9:5
He is the light that gave life John 1:4
The light of Gen 1 was explained in 2cor 4:6
So we see that the darkness speaks typologically of a man without Christ. The light speaks to the revelation of Jesus shining in the hearts of men who receive him.
Let’s look at how the epistles explain typologies from stories in scriptures.
Example 1.
Hagar and Sarah
Gal 4:22-24
Allegory – Allegoreo to speak in a figure
Another is Isaac is a typology of the church – children of promise.
Vs 30 – the bondwoman and are SON
Another Example of typology
The law
Heb 10:1
The law having a shadow of good things to come.
So in the law, if you look well you will find the shadow or typology of the good things we have now.
So expect to see in the law
1. The death of Jesus
2. The burial
3. The resurrection
4. The ascension
5. The remission of sin
6. The gift of righteousness
7. The indwelling spirit
8. The gifts of the spirit.
All of this is unveiled in the light of Christ.
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