THEOLOGY ONE - THE DOCTRINE OF GOD

We Believe in God
Building Systematic Theology 

Course description

This course comes in two parts. First it briefly surveys what theologians call theology proper or the doctrine of God, dealing with questions such as: Who is God? What are his attributes? What is his eternal plan? What are his works in history? Then we will take a step back and look at systematic theology as a discipline, analyzing the steps of building systematic theology, especially the formation of technical terms, theological propositions, and doctrinal statements. This course is based on two Thirdmill video series, We Believe in God, as well as Building Systematic Theology produced by Third Millennium Ministries and presented by Rev. Dr. Thurman Williams and Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr. with contributions from a variety of professors.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goals

In this course, we would like to accomplish the following:

1. We hope you will make use of all the instruction elements of the course to understand the primary concerns and terminology of systematic theologians in regard to theology proper, become familiar with the teachings about God in several historical creeds, understand many of God's most important attributes, and understand the theological issues regarding God's decrees and His plans.
2. We hope you will understand the process of developing systematic theology, including the proper use of human logic, the proper use of the Scriptures, and the proper method of defining technical terms, making theological propositions, and designing doctrinal statements.
3. We hope you make changes in your life as a response to the teachings of this course. It should help you develop a closer and more faithful walk with God as you learn to formulate, evaluate, and use systematic theology properly.

Objectives

When you have done the following, it will show that the goals are met:

1. Obtain satisfactory grades on the quizzes and test, demonstrating that you can identify
   • a) identify the primary concerns of systematic theologians in regard to theology proper,
   • b) identify many of the most important incommunicable and communicable attributes of God
   • c) identify how theologians have explained the relationship between God's decrees, His foreknowledge, and His providence.
   • d) define some key terms of systematic theology
   • e) identify the proper use of the Scriptures in the process of systematic theology.
2. Complete the study guides and other assignments of the course, expressing your attitude regarding systematic theology, and showing how you have assimilated the teachings of the course and applied them to your own life, especially that you can formulate, evaluate and use systematic theology properly in your pursuit to walk more faithfully with God.
3. Participate in weekly discussions that both review and reflect up on the teachings of the Thirdmill videos, in order to more fully understand the concepts and apply them to your life and ministry.

Thematic Outline of the Course

1. What We Know About God
2. How God is Different
3. How God is Like Us
4. God's Plan and Works
5. What is Systematic Theology?
6. Technical Terms in Systematics
7. Propositions in Systematics
8. Doctrines in Systematics

EXPLANATION OF ASSIGNMENTS

The Multimedia Lessons

1. Study the lessons, watching the video, listening to the audio, or reading the text.
2. Complete the Study Guide for each lesson. These study guides will prepare you for the online quizzes and help you apply the teachings of the lesson to your own life.
3. Take the online quizzes for each lesson. The quizzes may be taken as many times as you want, but you must wait one hour between each attempt. Your highest grade will be the official grade. We suggest achieving at least an 80% before participating in the weekly discussion to ensure you understand the concepts correctly.
4. Participate in the weekly discussions with your group and Trainer, utilizing that sessions Discussion Guide. These discussions are vital to your full understanding of the course material and your ability to correctly apply the concepts to your life and ministry. We recommend the discussion on the video lessons last at least one hour.
5. Take the The Doctrine of God – Final Exam. You may take the test again as many times as you want for review, but you must wait one hour between each attempt. The official grade will be your highest grade and we recommend achieving at least an 80% before moving on to the next course.

??? Badge

1. One hour each week should be devoted to working through the ??? Badge Instructions. This one to two-page guide will provide a general direction for your trainer as you seek to develop this vital ministry skill.
2. In the first few weeks, spend the one hour you have that week walking through the Topics to Discuss given in the ??? Badge Instructions.
3. Once a solid foundation has been laid through the group discussion times, spend the remaining weeks working through the badge Action Steps.
4. You will be awarded the badge once your Trainer has determined the completion of the actions steps in light of the Badge Instructions. All badges will be visible in your student “backpack” in the online classroom.

GRADES

The final grade will be calculated as follows:

1. The quizzes on the lectures are each worth 30 points.
2. The final exam on the lectures is worth 100 points.
3. The ??? Badge Report won't affect your grade but must be submitted to complete the course.

A total course score above 80% is considered passing.

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List of Contributors to this course (institutions listed relative to the time of recording)

Andrew Abernethy, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College & Graduate School.

Vincent Bacote, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College & Graduate School.

Dr. Frank Barker is Pastor Emeritus at Briarwood Presbyterian Church and is a founder of Birmingham Theological Seminary.

Dr. Voddie Baucham, Jr. is Dean of Seminary at Africa Christian University in Zambia.

Dr. Bruce Baugus is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary.

Dr. Sukhwant S. Bhatia is Founder and President of North India Institute of Theological Studies in Chandigarh, India.

Dr. Rick Boyd is Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Wesley Biblical Seminary.

Dr. Gary M. Burge is Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College & Graduate School.

Dr. D.A. Carson is Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Co-founder of The Gospel Coalition.

Dr. Matt Carter is the Pastor of Preaching and Vision at The Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, TX.

Dr. Gareth Cockerill is Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary.

Rev. Larry Cockrell is Senior Pastor of Household of Faith Church and faculty member of Birmingham Theological Seminary.

Dr. Brandon D. Crowe is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary.

Dr. William Edgar is Professor of Apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary.

Dr. Bruce L. Fields is Chair of the Biblical and Systematic Theology Department and Associate Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Dr. Matt Friedeman is Professor of Evangelism and Discipleship at Wesley Biblical Seminary.

Rev. Michael J. Glodo is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida.

Rev. Dan Hendley is Senior Pastor of North Park Church in Wexford, PA.

Dr. J. Scott Horrell is Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Rev. Clete Hux is Director and Counter-Cult Apologist at Apologetics Resource Center in Birmingham, AL.

Dr. Glenn R. Kreider is Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Dr. Samuel Lamerson is President of Knox Theological Seminary and Professor of New Testament.

Dr. Richard Lints is Professor of Theology and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Dr. R. Todd Mangum is Professor of Theology and Academic Dean at Biblical Theological Seminary.

Dr. Scott Manor is Assistant Professor of Historical Theology, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Dean of Faculty at Knox Theological Seminary.

Dr. Josh Moody is Senior Pastor at College Church in Wheaton, IL.

Dr. Jeffery Moore served at Trinity Downtown Orlando as Senior Pastor from 2003 to 2014.

Dr. Grant R. Osborne is Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Dr. Richard Phillips is Senior Minister of Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, S.C. and Chairman of the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology.

Rev. Vermon Pierre is Lead Pastor for Preaching and Mission at Roosevelt Community Church in Phoenix, AZ.

Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr. is President of Third Millennium Ministries and Adjunct Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando Campus.

Rev. Dr. Paul R. Raabe is Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary.

Dr. Harry L. Reeder III is Senior Pastor at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL.

Prof. Brandon P. Robbins is Staff Apologist at the Apologetics Resource Center for Birmingham Theological Seminary.

Rev. Ric Rodeheaver is Senior Pastor of Christ Community Church in Laguna Hills, California.

Dr. Steven C. Roy is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Dr. Philip Ryken is President of Wheaton College.

Dr. Tim Sansbury is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Theology and Vice President of Administration at Knox Theological Seminary.

The Very Rev. Dr. Justyn Terry is Dean and President of Trinity School for Ministry, as well as Professor of Systematic Theology.

Dr. K. Erik Thoennes is Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Biola University's Talbot School of Theology and is Chair of the Biblical and Theological Studies Theology Department.

Rev. Dr. Stephen Tong is a renowned Chinese evangelist and theologian, promoter of Reformed Evangelistic Movement, and the founder of the Stephen Tong Evangelistic Ministries International (STEMI), Reformed Evangelical Church and Seminary in Indonesia.

Dr. Carl R. Trueman is Professor of Historical Theology and Church History and the Paul Woolley Chair of History at Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Guy Waters is Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary.

Dr. Sanders L. Willson is Senior Minister at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN and serves on the boards of The Gospel Coalition, Union University and Reformed Theological Seminary.

Rev. Dr. Lewis Winkler is resident faculty member of Theological and Historical Studies at East Asia School of Theology.