Romans 6:17 "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you."

     Systematic Theology is the "human side" of Biblical interpretation.  It is a system of "rightly dividing" the Scriptures to determine their truths, then to apply these truths to our lives.  Or as the great theologian Charles Hodge defines it:

     "The exhibition of the fact of Scripture in proper order and relation with the principle or general clues involved in the facts themselves, which pervade and harmonize the whole."

     The idea behind Systematic Theology is to study the Bible in such a way that the believer can "know God, know himself, and put this knowledge of God and self into constructive practice".  You are "not" what you eat, but you "are" what you believe.

     Every Christian has a series of beliefs that he structures his Christian walk after.  If these foundational beliefs are false then the Christian is patterning his life after a lie, not after the Word.  The major reason Christianity often seems so crippled in America today is because "so many Christians have become satisfied with the easy lie rather than the hard truth."  We are content to chase ecstatics, to laugh and faint in the Spirit, to speak gibberish while the world looks on in dismay at the fools we seem to be.  We chase apparitions, look for statues that sweat blood, look for manifestations of the virgin Mary, and wonder why our Churches have become so ineffectual in the world today.

     "Harsh words?  Perhaps, but true."  A hundred years ago America would not have given the nod to mass abortion of the children, nor would it's Churches have tolerated same sex marriages and other "alternate" lifestyles.  People have always been sinners, but when the Church forgets the Word and modifies it's stance to become acceptable to the world, then the sin becomes more pronounced in society.

     It is true that the Christian is saved, washed by the sacrifice of the Cross.  But God expects more of us.  He wants us to understand Him, to know and apply the truths that He has set out for us in His Word.  "Correctly studying God's Word is therefore imperative for the believer, not an option to be discarded when it ruffles our feathers."

     Systematic Study of God's Word is imperative, yet how can we, as finite beings, hope to understand this Book which has filled libraries with it's teaching?  We are fallible, prone to sin.  How can we study without error creeping in?  Jesus provided what we need:

John 14:16-17 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  Even the Spirit of truth;  whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:  but ye know him;  for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

     God the Son, Jesus Christ, sent the Holy Spirit to indwell each and every one of us who believe.  This "Spirit of truth" came, not to help us have emotional ecstasies in Church, but to help guide us as we "study God's Word".  Who can reveal the truths of God's Word better than God Himself?

Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God:  but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."

John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

     Systematic Theology is the human side in Bible study, whereas the Holy Spirit guiding us is the Divine side in our search for the truth.  The Spirit enlightens the mind of the believer, "teach(ing) you all things", so that we can understand and apply what we study.  This work of the Spirit's Illumination goes hand in hand with our study of the Word.  If either element is missing, then the truth of the Word is in jeopardy.

     To learn about God does not require a "theological degree", but does require that each and every one of us "submit" ourselves to the Spirit as we "faithfully study" the Word.  If you want to grow in God, to reach the spiritual heights that God has planned for your life, you must be consistent in studying His Word and in heeding the Spirit.  Nothing else will do.  Nothing else "can" do.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:   That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

     If you want to be "perfect", (TELEIOO - which is the Greek word used in the above verse), which is better translated as "mature" in service to God, then you must submit to studying the Bible and the leading of the Spirit. No other option is left open to us who believe.