Basic Theology for the Layman

What we believe affects how we live and think. A God-given standard for belief and conduct is essential for people today, to keep them from dangerous and damning beliefs and actions. It is enlightening and relieving for the believer to understand that true followers of Christ may hold different views about the nonessential doctrines of the word, while standing together in absolute confidence upon the message of grace and redemption. A healthy theology as expressed in a statement of faith will be conducive to holy living. To understand properly the picture of God’s “self-revelation,” correlating the data of biblical revelation systematically is necessary. Systematic theology presents the total structure of biblical truth, by correlating and structuring the theological truths of God as revealed in Scripture, relating these truths to the understanding of others throughout history, and surveying the progressive revelation of God in its biblical context.