“A pillar and buttress of the truth.” In 1 Timothy 3:15, this is what Paul calls “the church of the living of God.”
In a letter that begins with an exhortation to remain in Ephesus to contend with false teachers (1 Tim. 1:3–7) and to rightly relate the law to the gospel (1 Tim. 1:8–11), Paul stresses the importance of good theology. In fact, it is arguable that the confession in 1 Timothy 3:16 is the very centerpiece of Paul’s letter. As Paul applies the grace, mercy, and peace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 1:2), he lifts this confession as a glorious capstone.
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
In six short statements, the apostle announces the “mystery of godliness,” namely, a testimony about Christ that either the early church proclaimed or that Paul himself wrote. Either way, the whole letter is built around this confession, and it reminds us why confessions play an important part of sound doctrine that leads churches to overflow with good works.
Theology by the Book
Indeed, for the sake of edifying the church, Christ Over All has focused for the last month on the task of doing theology. In celebration of the publication of Steve Wellum’s new systematic theology (Systematic Theology, vol. 1: From Canon to Concept), we have taken a month to consider what theology is and what it ought to be. For in truth, not all theologies are the same. While everyone made in God’s image has an image of God in their mind, not everyone thinks their thoughts after God’s.
Knowing this, we spent the month focusing on how to do theology by the book—not Steve’s book, but the book of God’s Word. We are unapologetic in our commitment to letting the Bible be the sole foundation of our faith, our life, and our doctrine. While tradition, teachers, nature, and even experience may play a ministerial role in helping us understand God’s Word, only the Bible—as God’s written revelation—can be our first and final authority. So this past month we have argued for the sufficiency of Scripture as the foundation for doing theology by the book.
Along the way, I considered the way that small changes in biblical theology can have large effects on doctrine; Gregg Allison reviewed the way historical theology helps us form doctrine; and Chris Bolt showed how philosophy is an unavoidably theological endeavor. Additionally, Fred Zaspel helped us understand the role of historical theology in the works of B.B. Warfield; Kyle Claunch explained the importance Sola Scriptura in our theological method; Trent Hunter encouraged pastors to be theologians in their local churches; while another pastor, Godwin Sathianathan, highlighted three reasons why every thoughtful Christian needs to read Steve Wellum’s systematic theology. And also, we previewed a sample of his Systematic Theology, vol 1: From Canon to Concept.
All in all, this month scratched the surface for considering what makes theology good. Yet, we trust that anyone who reads these articles, listens to the podcasts, or picks up Steve’s new book will be well served to think their thoughts after God. Indeed, in our day of mindless memes and YouTube shorts, we need to discipline ourselves to slow down and think carefully about who God is, what he has done, and what his Word truly says.
To that end, we encourage you to check out these resources and to pass them on to others (the Longforms are fully in bold below)
Thinking Our Thoughts after God: Doing Theology by the Book
- How Firm a Foundation: Building Theology on the Solid Ground of God and His Word by Robert Lyon • If we want our house to stand, we must be sure to lay a solid foundation. So it is with our theology. READ ARTICLE
- An Excerpt from Stephen Wellum’s Systematic Theology, Volume 1: From Canon to Concept by Stephen Wellum • Longform Essay • What is systematic theology and why does it matter? Stephen Wellum answers these important questions in the first chapter of his new Systematic Theology excerpted here. READ ESSAY
- 3.6 Stephen Wellum • Reading • “An Excerpt from Stephen Wellum’s Systematic Theology, Volume 1: From Canon to Concept” by Stephen Wellum • Podcast Reading • What is systematic theology and why does it matter? Stephen Wellum answers these important questions in the first chapter of his new Systematic Theology excerpted here. LISTEN TO PODCAST
- Historical Theology for Systematic Theology by Gregg Allison • Sola Scriptura is our Protestant rallying cry. But this is not solo Scriptura. How do creeds and confessions aid us in doing theology? READ ARTICLE
- Historical Theology and B.B. Warfield by Fred G. Zaspel • Like a diamond, the gospel is an unchanging treasure given to the church. Yet, as we examine its many facets, our description of it may change to more fully describe its reality. READ ARTICLE
- A Conscience Captive to the Word of God: Sola Scriptura and Theological Method by Kyle Claunch • When doing theology, creeds and confessions can serve as great helps. But, as the written Word of God, Scripture alone is our authoritative guide. READ ARTICLE
- 3.7 Stephen Wellum, David Schrock, Trent Hunter • Interview • “An Excerpt from Stephen Wellum’s Systematic Theology, Volume 1: From Canon to Concept” by Stephen Wellum, David Schrock, Trent Hunter • Podcast Interview • Listen in as Stephen Wellum joins David Schrock and Trent Hunter to discuss his new Systematic Theology, Volume 1: From Canon to Concept. LISTEN TO PODCAST
- Wellum’s World of Wise Words: Stephen J. Wellum Bibliography by Jack Jeffery • We are to give honor to whom honor is due. So, in light of the release of Dr. Stephen Wellum’s Systematic Theology, Volume 1: From Canon to Concept we honor him here by drawing attention to his prolific bibliography which has, by God’s grace, built up the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. READ ARTICLE
- A Christ Over All Press Release: Steve Wellum’s Systematic Theology is Here by David Schrock • This day marks the release of Dr. Stephen Wellum’s Systematic Theology, Volume 1: From Canon to Concept, and you could win a signed copy in these next couple weeks. READ ARTICLE
- The Butterfly Effect: How Biblical Theology Makes Systematic Theology More or Less Biblical by David Schrock • How are exegetical decisions like butterflies? While a single one may not make a huge difference, they can add up to make quite the impact! READ ARTICLE
- The Sufficiency of Scripture in Doing Christian Theology by the Book by Ardel Caneday • Longform Essay • Systematic Theology is inextricably linked to the understanding of individual biblical texts. But what if those texts are obscured by extra-Biblical historical backgrounds that lead away from a biblical author’s intended meaning? Sound exegesis must begin with a firm commitment to the sufficiency of Scripture. READ ESSAY
- 3.8 Ardel Caneday • Reading • “The Sufficiency of Scripture in Doing Christian Theology by the Book” by Ardel Caneday • Podcast Reading • Systematic Theology is inextricably linked to the understanding of individual biblical texts. But what if those texts are obscured by extra-Biblical historical backgrounds that lead away from a biblical author’s intended meaning? Sound exegesis must begin with a firm commitment to the sufficiency of Scripture. LISTEN TO PODCAST
- Three Reasons Every Thoughtful Christian Should Read Wellum’s New Systematic Theology by Godwin Sathianathan • Throughout church history, many faithful systematic theologies have been written, so do we really need another one now? Here are three reasons why every Christian would benefit from Stephen Wellum’s new Systematic Theology! READ ARTICLE
- Friends, Not Enemies: Reconciling Philosophy and Theology Under the Lordship of Christ by Chris Bolt • What is the relationship between philosophy and theology? Good philosophy is an ally, not an enemy, to sound theology. READ ARTICLE
- The Pastor as Local Theologian by Trent Hunter • How do we make local great again? By listening to an ancient pastor whose voice speaks to our globalized world. READ ARTICLE
- 3.9 David Schrock and Stephen Wellum • Interview • “The Sufficiency of Scripture in Doing Christian Theology by the Book” by David Schrock and Stephen Wellum • Podcast Interview • Listen in as David Schrock and Stephen Wellum discuss Ardel Caneday’s essay “The Sufficiency of Scripture in Doing Christian Theology by the Book.” LISTEN TO PODCAST
- The Judge of All the Earth and the Theologian in Mamre by Robert Lyon • Abraham knew that the Lord is just in all that he does, but how did he know that? And how can Abraham serve as a model for us in doing theology today? READ ARTICLE
- A Pastor’s Best Friend: A Good Catechism by Ben Tellinghuisen • Sound doctrine leads to sound living, and one of the best tools for learning sound doctrine is a good catechism. READ ARTICLE
Creeds, Confessions, and Cooperation: The Basis of Our Unity
If 1 Timothy 3:16 is an inspired outline of Christ’s person and work, it is also an invitation to the church to make use of confessions to outline the faith. Indeed, from the Apostles Creed, through Nicaea and Chalcedon, to Westminster and the Baptist Faith and Message iterations (1925, 1963, 2000), the church of Jesus Christ has a long history of systematizing its beliefs and catechizing its disciples with creeds, confessions, and other statements of faith.
That being said, amidst the rise of pragmatic ministries and expressive individualism, confessionalism, as it has been called, has fallen on hard times. While books like Carl Trueman’s, and ministries like Founders, and church historians like Chad Vandixhoorn and Jim Renihan have stressed the place for confessions in the life of the church, others have stressed the importance of personal belief and fear the danger of imposing confessions on others.
In the Southern Baptist Convention right now, the use of confessions and the cooperation that they require is undergoing a live debate. For those keeping up with the SBC, they know that this summer when they gather in Indianapolis (June 11–12), the Law Amendment and the report from the Cooperation Group will feature prominently. Even more, there is a renewed interest in defining what it means to “closely identify” as a Southern Baptist Church. These questions and more have received great interest over the last numbers of month, and will continue to be at the center of debate until June—and then beyond, too!
For our part, we want to offer some historical reflections on creeds, confessions, and cooperation. And thus we have recruited some of the best historians today to help us think about this subject. In this coming month, we will hear from Carl Trueman, Chad Vandixhoorn, Leonardo Di Chirico, Tom Nettles, Michael Haykin, and others, as they help us think about confessions in general. And then, turning our attention to the SBC, we will have articles from Denny Burk, Caleb Morrell, David Attebury, Colin Smothers, and Mike Law, to name only a few.
Indeed, this month will be full and, Lord willing, it will be fruitful. As individualism continues to enervate the church, we need a strong confessionalism that is grounded in the Word of God to help create and maintain thick communities of faith. Equally, for the SBC, which has followed the path of pragmatism for generations, we are hoping to offer some strong and salutary words that will prepare messengers for June. That’s our aim, and we ask you to join us in prayer for the month and then share what you find useful.
Equally, if you find these resources helpful, consider supporting this ministry. In June, at the SBC, we will again handout cards with QR codes to equip messengers with relevant information, and we could use your help. If you will be in Indianapolis and would like to help us pass out cards, please let us know. Or you can also give to Christ Over All to help fund that project.
Christ Over All News and Notes
As I sign off, let me update a couple items that you should know about.
First, Christ Over All hosted its first Video Call on February 23. Trent Hunter, Steve Wellum, and I joined the call and fielded questions that were submitted to us. We were delighted to be joined by about three-dozen friends, and we hope to do the same next month, with increased interaction among those on the call. If you want to join us, sign up here. The next call is Friday, March 29 from 12:00pm–1:00pm (EST).
Second, Christ Over All is continuing to work on turning our months into PDFs to download. We now have a dedicated intern overseeing that project, and we hope to offer these in the coming months.
Third, Christ Over All depends upon thoughtful contributions of faithful writers. At present we have our next four months filled out (in bold), but we are beginning to plan for the second half of the year (in italics). If you are interested in writing something on an area of research or interest, please share your idea with us.
March – Creeds, Confessions, and Cooperation: The Basis of Unity
April – One Passion, Four Gospels
May – What Has God Wrought? Artificial Intelligence and Our Brave New World
June – Great Books Throughout the Ages: Works that Have Stood the Test of Time
July – Plato in the Hands of an Almighty God
August – Getting into the Book of Hebrews
September – Voting to the Glory of God
October – Today’s Leviathan: Globalism, Environmentalism, Big Ed, and Totalitarianism
November – The Kingdom of God
December – Handel’s Messiah
In the end, we at Christ Over All continue to give thanks to God for the ways he has supplied this ministry and enlarged our network of friendships. To give one example: Steve Wellum and Brad Green were able to travel to speak at a conference in St. Louis last week and met many friends of COA. We also continue to get emails from many of you with earnest feedback that helps us know how and where to provide resources in the months to come.
So please, continue to send your feedback and we will look forward to seeing you as the Lord allows. Until next time, let us all remember that Christ is Lord and all things are under his feet, so in all things let us exalt Christ.
