Systematic Theology: Prolegomena
Overview
What is the foundation of theology? In this monumental work—the “first things” of a multi-volume, comprehensive theological system—Norman R. Gulley argues pervasively and persuasively that Scripture must be the sole foundation of authentic evangelical Christian faith. According to Gulley, theology should not depend on philosophy, science, reason, tradition, or experience, but on Scripture alone. His argument stands in contrast to recent influential evangelical theologians who consider Scripture only a witness to revelation, and not revelation itself. According to Gulley, God is thus removed from his Word in the same way others have removed him from his world. He argues that this emptying of Scripture of its propositional, cognitive revelation deconstructs the basis of the evangelical movement. Gulley’s view of sola scriptura drives his detailed, sweeping, and balanced critique of the major underlying themes, issues, and philosophies that have informed some other theological systems. From Parmenides and the timeless view of God in ancient Greece to a detailed analysis of twenty-first-century dispensational theology, Gulley ranges easily over millennia, showing how different concepts and philosophies have affected the premise of sola scriptura for good or ill. Aptly subtitled Prolegomena, this ambitious work functions as an excellent introduction to theological thought. It is designed for general use and for the serious student of theology who will appreciate the opening summary of each chapter’s contents, and the concluding study questions. It also serves as an introduction to the next volume which unfolds Gulley’s system within the biblical cosmic controversy worldview.
Top Highlights
“As prince and god of this world, he claimed the human race as his own. Christ came to Earth to reclaim it” (Page 443)
“These two categories of being—timelessness and unchangeableness—were taken over by theologians to describe God, and they were to shape theology for much of its history.” (Page 5)
“Plato was born in Athens and founded a school of philosophy (the Academy) in 387 b.c. His philosophy deeply influenced the Jewish philosopher Philo, who lived in Alexandria shortly after Christ’s birth. It also dominated Christian philosophy in the early Middle Ages, through the writings of Boethius and Augustine of Hippo,23 the greatest Catholic theologian before Thomas Aquinas.” (Page 6)
“The timeless God affected the way Scripture is viewed in two opposite ways: (1) If the human writers were unable to reach up into the timeless mind of God, then all they could do was to write their own words; hence, Scripture became a human product. (2) If the human writers were used like a computer, then the word came from God; hence, the Bible became a divine product.” (Page 3)
“So where did the idea arise that God is timeless, far removed from humans, an unmoved Mover? It came from philosophy—human wisdom.” (Page 4)
- Title: Systematic Theology: Prolegomena
- Author: Norman R. Gulley
- Series: Gulley’s Systematic Theology
- Publisher: Andrews University Press
- Print Publication Date: 2003
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Theology, doctrinal
- ISBNs: 9781883925376, 1883925371, 9781883925710, 9781940980072, 1883925711, 1940980070
- Resource ID: LLS:SYTMTCTHEOGULLEY01
- Resource Type: Systematic Theology
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:16:28Z
