Romans Resources Romans: 1:1-7, 13-17 Notes Romans: 1:18-28 Notes Romans: 2:17-29 Notes Romans: 2:17-29 Notes #2 Romans: 3:21-4.3 Notes Romans: 5:1-11 Notes Romans: 6:1-14 Exegesis Romans: 8:12-25 Notes Romans: 10:5-15 Notes Romans: 11:17-32 Notes Romans: 12:1-2, 9-18 Notes Romans: 13:1-14 Notes Romans: 14:1-12 Notes Romans 15:14-21, 30-33 Notes Romans: Theology & Doctrine

Romans: Theology & Doctrine

DEFINITIONS: CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY & DOCTRINE

I. THEOLOGY

Definition of Theology - the Study of God: Theology is the science of God. The term, "theology," literally means, "the study of God." It is derived from two Greek words. Theos is the Greek word for God, while the word logos can mean "discourse," or, "the study of." Theology, therefore, is thinking, or studying, about God. It is important that we realize that there is no higher activity that a person can pursue than the study of God. The Bible says that every Christian begins to personally know God the moment they believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said: "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3 NASB).

The Christian life is a relationship between the believer and the Creator. This relationship grows and matures as the believer learns more about the God in whom he or she trusts. The apostle Paul was speaking of believers being made rich in their knowledge of God when he wrote the following: "that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge," (1 Cor. 1:5). Because we have the ability to become spiritually rich when we learn about Him, it is vitally important that we learn as much as we can about the living God.

II. DOCTRINE

Definition of Doctrine-Christian Teaching: What is Christian doctrine? The English word, "doctrine," comes from the Latin word doctrina. It can be defined as, "teaching or instruction." Christian doctrine simply means the beliefs of Christians. A Christian doctrine is what the entire Bible has to say on one particular subject. Therefore, we speak of such things as the "doctrine" of Christ, the "doctrine" of God, and the "doctrine" of the church. This refers to what Christians believe about these subjects based upon the teaching of the Bible.

Doctrine Is Different from Theology, but the Terms May Be Used Interchangeably. Sometimes the word "doctrine" is used interchangeably with the word "theology." While this is not necessarily wrong, there is a difference between the two terms:

Theology, or Christian theology, is the more general term that refers to the study of the God of the Bible.
Doctrine refers to the specific teachings about God that are found in a study of theology such as the "doctrine" of salvation or the "doctrine" of the afterlife.

NT References to Christian Doctrine: While the word, "theology" is not found in the Bible, there are over 40 New Testament references to Christian doctrine, or Christian teaching. Christian doctrine consists of the teachings of Jesus Christ, as found in the four gospels, as well as the teachings about Jesus Christ, which are found in the remainder of the New Testament.