The Encyclopedia of Theology

I love this! This is an outline adapted from Abraham Kuyper's Encyclopedia of Theology. It is basically the understanding of a well-rounded theological education. In which elements are we, in today's evangelical environment, weak? Strong? Thoughts about this outling?

I.EXEGETICAL
THEOLOGY
A.Books of the Bible-Isagogics
B.Text of the Bible
1.Biblical Philology
2.Textual Criticism
3.Hermeneutics
4.Exegesis
C.Contents of the Bible
1.Bib. Archaeology
2.Bib. History
3.Bib. Theology
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Object: the Bible as such
Aim: biblical interpretation

II.HISTORICAL
THEOLOGY
A.Ecclesiastical or Church History
1.Chronological
2.Territorial
3.Denominational
B.Doctrinal History--History of Doctrines
--------------
Object: the church in historical manifestation
Aim: historical perspective

III.SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
A.Apologetics
B.Dogmatics
1.Prolegomena
2.Revelation
3.God
4.Man
5.Christ
6.Holy Spirit
7.Salvation
8.Church
9.Last Things
C.Ethics
D.Polemics
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Object: Christian
doctrine and dogma
Aim: systematic
construction

IV.PRACTICAL THEOLOGY
A.Homiletics
B.Liturgics
C.Poimenics
D.Catechetics
E.Church Order
F.Missions
--------------
Object: the Church as the agency for
propagating the Word
Aim: effective communication

The Lightlings: A Book Review

Publisher's Description: "In The Lightlings, Dr. R.C. Sproul weaves an allegorical tale that captures the essence of the biblical story of redemption. A race of tiny beings known as lightlings represent humanity as they pass through all the stages of the biblical drama—creation, fall, and redemption. In the end, children will understand why some people fear light more than darkness, but why they need never fear darkness again. Richly detailed illustrations by Justin Gerard will hold children’s interest, and discussion questions and Scripture references in the back will help parents guide children into the deeper meaning of the story."

RC Sproul has done it again. As he has done in other children's books like The King Without a Shadow and The Priest with Dirty Clothes, Dr. Sproul uses allegory to bring the beautiful truths of the gospel both down to the level of a child's understanding and up to a new level of profundity for all. Using the Biblical theme of darkness and light, this little children's book explains creation, the fall and its effects as well as the gospel and its reversing effects. I read this book to my three older children (7,4, and 3) and they all got it! They all understood that the Great King of Light was God, that the lightlings were Adam and Eve (and us by extension), and that the Son of the King of Light was Jesus. The questions at the end of the book are very helpful in making all of this clear to the children. The illustrations by Justin Gerard are excellent! One thing that is needed today is an understanding that the gospel is beautiful and that Christ is beautiful. Many people claim to be saved by the gospel but do not savor the beauty of the godhead in it. They merely want to be rescued by it, not to revel in it. This book is a a beutiful meditation on the redemption that we have in Christ. May God use this little book so that many will savor him more fully!

Waldron Continues on Millenium

Sam Waldron has posted several times on his response to MacArthur since the last time I mentioned it on the blog. Go here to see the posts.

Worry as Sin

A good friend of mine has posted an excellent series of blog entries on the subject of worry.