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FBGs Bible Study (1 Viewer)

Would you be willing to devote an hour a week to listening to a lecture & discussion?

  • Total voters
    37
  • Poll closed .
BobbyLayne

BobbyLayne

Footballguy
Would anyone like to participate in a FBGs Bible Study?

The proposed Bible Study would use this at its textbook:

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (1994 edition) by Wayne Grudem

($18.50 on Amazon Prime) it's complicated - see this post

[as of 10/12/24, $21.95 on Amazon for hardcover; for the softcover - which is what I have - best to check reputable used book dealers)

who is Wayne Grudem

who is BobbyLayne

I am not qualified to lead this Bible Study. I am called to offer the opportunity for others. Pithy to say, but God does call the qualified, he qualifies the called.
If I am being honest - showing my soft underbelly here - I wish it were not so. I am, by nature, a non-confrontational person. I wasn't always this way. For most of my adult life I have been a Type A middle manager and late blooming accounting/finance executive, and by type A I mean I was usually hired because I was a burr to the people in my department. Through many painful life experiences, some of them traumatic in nature, and due to latent PTSD from long ago trauma, I have been conditioned to quickly retreat whenever I sense a threat. I am a bit like the U.S. of the late 1970s - my mind is not as powerful as it once was, and my resolute nature has given way to preservation.
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I do have ~ 45 years of life experience as a Christ follower who teaches others how to correctly handle the Word. Immodestly, my knowledge base rivals that of other less worthy endeavors such as studying the American Civil War or winning a FF championship with a zero RB draft AND streaming QB-K-DT. I digress.

For this study of the Bible, I am a mee facilitator and admin. The 119 lectures from Dr Grudem will function as our lead teacher.

In time, I may ask others to facilitate. In other settings - in person situations when we all know each other and live in the same community - the facilitator role will be handled on a rotational basis.

I currently attend Downtown Redeemer Presbyterian Church in lower Manhattan. Beginning March, my wife and I will transfer our membership to a new church plant, Brooklyn Redeemer located in downtown Brooklyn. Prior to that, I have had diverse church experiences as a layman and lay leader:

- Hillsong East Coast/Hillsong NYC 2015-2020 - emerging independent pentecostal church HQed in Sydney, Australia. My focus there was on street ministry to unhoused New Yorkers, and I led a Men's Connect Group. Their form - which I view as unbiblical - was to have each of their church plants in 40 or so countries operate as satellite extensions of the church HQed in Sydney. Each week around the globe, approximately 200 million believers useg songs written and published by Hillsong in their worship services.

- Harvest Bible Church 2016-present - newly planted non-denominational reformed church located in Spring Lake, MI. This is my hometown church, and I list it concurrently because I consider myself to be under the teaching of the pastors who serve there.

- Redeemer Presbyterian East Side 2006-2015 - Manhattan church founded by the late Tim Keller. Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) chuch.

- Bella Vista Church 1980-1999 - non-denominational church in Rockford, MI. If you are of a certain age, the folks who hosted the CCM concerts in The Barn circa 1977-1985.

- Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church - I will forever be indebted to Rev. Verne C. Summers, who sadly went home on December 7, 2020 at the age of 93. When I was a young, rebellious stoner, Verne was my first pastor. I have such fond memories of my discipleship under Verne. He was a mentor, teacher and trusted friend.

I am a combat veteran, retired CFO, and live with several comorbidities of mental illness - chiefly anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It does not define who I am, and my life is content, happy and productive. But I am very open about my mental health struggle because I wish to help others on that journey. Also, one if five Americans have a treatable mental illness or would benefit from psychiatric treatment. We all either have experienced mental health issues or know someone who has.
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It is not necessary to buy the book. Each lesson will have a 1-2 page outline which I will send out (also linked in a post below.) Each lesson will consist of listening to a lecture by Dr Grudem, usually around 40-50 minutes, and then discussing here.

The target audience is intended for believers, but I would encourage non-believers to join in. Personally, I read the Bible and pursued various spiritual paths for more than 3 years before I made a decision for Christ.

The textbook being used has a reformed bent to it. Wayne Grudem led the 30 person ESV Bible development team, and is known as it's chief editor. AFAIK he has remained a Southern Baptist Church member, and is a professor at Phoenix Theological Seminary.

If you share my worldview - love God, love people - you are most welcome. If you are a curious catholic, come on in. If you belong to another faith community, or consider yourself a theist, I only ask that you be respectful and stay on point with the weekly discussion.

I was thinking we could have discussion here. What does everyone think.

If this ends up being divisive to hold in a discussion forum, or if we feel we are attracting an excessive number of trolls....

Alternately, we could hold a 30-45 minute Zoom meeting (weekly, biweekly, monthly? scroll up to the poll.) If that's the case this is the initial organizing thread and we'll take it off line.

If we hold our discussion here, it will have a broader reach, but i'm inclined to following the will of the (FBGs) people.
 
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I love this idea, even though I have zero interest personally.

I found it a little funny you made it a poll instead of a, let's see a show of hands of people interested.

That's my way voting no, with out having the heart to actually vote no.
 
Sadly, I feel like I could experience better fellowship here with some guys I only know via random usernames than I would with people I know IRL. I selected 'Yes' as a reflex.

I need to warm up to shelling out 18.50 for a book I'm going to discuss with a group of folks I probably won't ever meet IRL.

Keep me in the loop, though.
 
All of the Lectures and Notes on one page - the notes are in pdf, and you can listen there.

same Lectures on Apple Podcasts

List of Topics
(119 lectures)
  1. Chapter 01: Introduction to Systematic Theology

  2. Chapter 02: The Word of God: What are the different forms of the Word of God?

  3. Chapter 03: The Canon of Scripture (Old Testament Canon)

  4. Chapter 03: The Canon of Scripture (New Testament Canon)

  5. Chapter 04: The Four Characteristics of Scripture (#1 – Authority Pt. 1 of 2)

  6. Chapter 04: The Four Characteristics of Scripture (#1 – Authority Pt. 2 of 2)

  7. Chapter 05: The Inerrancy of Scripture (Pt. 1 of 3)

  8. Chapter 05: The Inerrancy of Scripture (Pt. 2 of 3)

  9. Chapter 05: The Inerrancy of Scripture (Pt. 3 of 3)

  10. Chapter 06: The Four Characteristics of Scripture (#2 – Clarity)

  11. Chapter 07: The Four Characteristics of Scripture (#3 – Necessity)

  12. Chapter 08: The Four Characteristics of Scripture (#4 – Sufficiency)

  13. Chapter 08: Sufficiency of Scripture

  14. Chapter 09: The Doctrine of God – The Existence of God

  15. Chapter 10: The Knowability of God

  16. Chapter 11: The Character of God – “Incommunicable” Attributes (Pt. 1 of 5)

  17. Chapter 11: The Character of God – “Incommunicable” Attributes (Pt. 2 of 5)

  18. Chapter 11: The Character of God – “Incommunicable” Attributes (Pt. 3 of 5)

  19. Chapter 11: What is Time? & “Incommunicable” Attributes (Pt. 4 of 5)

  20. Chapter 12: The Character of God – “Communicable” Attributes (Pt. 1 of 9)

  21. Chapter 11: The Character of God – “Incommunicable” (Pt. 5 of 5)

  22. Chapter 13: The Character of God: “Communicable” Attributes of God (Pt. 2 of 9)

  23. Chapter 13: The Character of God: “Communicable” Attributes of God (Pt. 3 of 9)

  24. Chapter 13: The Character of God – “Communicable” Attributes (Pt. 4 of 9)

  25. Chapter 13: The Character of God – “Communicable” Attributes (Pt. 5 of 9)

  26. Chapter 13: The Character of God – “Communicable” Attributes (Pt. 6 of 9)

  27. Chapter 13: The Character of God – “Communicable” Attributes (Pt. 7 of 9)

  28. Chapter 13: The Character of God – “Communicable” Attributes (Pt. 8 of 9)

  29. Chapter 13: The Character of God – “Communicable” Attributes (Pt. 9 of 9)

  30. Chapter 14: The Trinity (Pt. 1 of 4)

  31. Chapter 14: The Trinity (Pt. 2 of 4)

  32. Chapter 14: The Trinity (Pt. 3 of 4)

  33. Chapter 14: The Trinity (Pt. 4 of 4)

  34. Chapter 15: The Doctrine of Creation (Pt. 1 of 4)

  35. Chapter 15: The Doctrine of Creation (Pt. 2 of 4)

  36. Chapter 15: The Doctrine of Creation (Pt. 3 of 4)

  37. Chapter 15: The Doctrine of Creation (Pt. 4 of 4)

  38. Chapter 16: God’s Providence (Pt. 1 of 3)

  39. Chapter 16: God’s Providence (Pt. 2 of 3)

  40. Chapter 16: God’s Providence (Pt. 3 of 3)

  41. Chapter 17: Doctrine of Miracles (Pt. 1 of 3)

  42. Chapter 17: Doctrine of Miracles (Pt. 2 of 3)

  43. Chapter 17: Doctrine of Miracles (Pt. 3 of 3)

  44. Chapter 18: Doctrine of Prayer (Pt. 1 of 4)

  45. Chapter 18: Doctrine of Prayer (Pt. 2 of 4)

  46. Chapter 18: Doctrine of Prayer (Pt. 3 of 4)

  47. Chapter 18: Doctrine of Prayer (Pt. 4 of 4)

  48. Chapter 19: Doctrine of Angels (Pt. 1 of 2)

  49. Chapter 19: Doctrine of Angels (Pt. 2 of 2)

  50. Chapter 20: Doctrine of Satan and Demons

  51. Chapter 20: Doctrine of Satan and Demons

  52. Chapter 20: Doctrine of Satan and Demons (Pt. 3 of 3)

  53. Chapter 21: Doctrine of Man – Creation of Man in the Image of God

  54. Chapter 21: Doctrine of Man – Manhood and Womanhood in Creation and Marriage (Pt. 1 of 2)

  55. Chapter 22: Doctrine of Man – Manhood and Womanhood in Creation and Marriage (Pt. 2 of 2)

  56. Chapter 23: Doctrine of Man – The Essential Nature of Man

  57. Chapter 24: Doctrine of Sin (Pt. 1 of 3)

  58. Chapter 24: Doctrine of Sin (Pt. 2 of 3)

  59. Chapter 24: Doctrine of Sin (Pt. 3 of 3)

  60. Chapter 25: Doctrine of Covenants: Covenants Between God and Man

  61. Chapter 26: The Person of Christ (Pt. 1 of 3)

  62. Chapter 26: The Person of Christ (Pt. 2 of 3)

  63. Chapter 26: The Person of Christ (Pt. 3 of 3)

  64. Chapter 26: Jesus: Fully God and fully man in one person

  65. Chapter 27: Doctrine of the Atonement – (Pt. 1 of 4)

  66. Chapter 27: Doctrine of the Atonement – (Pt. 2 of 4)

  67. Chapter 27: Doctrine of the Atonement – (Pt. 3 of 4)

  68. Chapter 28: Doctrine of the Atonement – (Pt. 4 of 4)

  69. Chapter 28: Doctrine of the Resurrection – (Pt. 1 of 2)

  70. Chapter 28: Doctrine of the Resurrection – (Pt. 2 of 2)

  71. Chapter 29: The Offices of Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King

  72. Chapter 29: The Offices of Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King

  73. Chapter 30: Doctrine of the Holy Spirit – (Pt. 1 of 3)

  74. Chapter 30: Doctrine of the Holy Spirit – (Pt. 2 of 3)

  75. Chapter 30: Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Pt. 3 of 3)

  76. Chapter 31: Doctrine of Common Grace
  77. Chapter 32: Doctrine of Election and Reprobation (Pt. 1 of 2)

  78. Chapter 32: Doctrine of Election and Reprobation (Pt. 2 of 2)

  79. Chapter 33: The Gospel Call and Effective Calling

  80. Chapter 34: Doctrine of Regeneration

  81. Chapter 35: Doctrine of Conversion (Faith and Repentance)

  82. Chapter 36: Doctrine of Justification (Pt. 1 of 2)

  83. Chapter 36: Doctrine of Justification (Pt. 2 of 2)

  84. Chapter 37: Doctrine of Adoption

  85. Chapter 38: Doctrine of Sanctification (Pt. 1 of 3)

  86. Chapter 38: Doctrine of Sanctification (Pt. 2 of 3)

  87. Chapter 38: Doctrine of Sanctification (Pt. 3 of 3)

  88. Chapter 39: Baptism in and Filling with the Holy Spirit

  89. Chapter 40: Perseverance of the Saints (Pt. 1 of 2)

  90. Chapter 40: Perseverance of the Saints (Pt. 2 of 2)

  91. Chapter 41: Death and the Intermediate State

  92. Chapter 42: Doctrine of Glorification

  93. Chapter 43: Union with Christ

  94. Chapter 44: The Church: Its – Nature, Marks, and Purposes (1 of 2)

  95. Chapter 45: The Church: Its – Nature, Marks, and Purposes (2 of 2)

  96. Chapter 45: The Purity and Unity of the Church

  97. Chapter 46: The Power of the Church and Church Discipline (Pt. 1 of 3)

  98. Chapter 46: The Power of the Church and Church Discipline (Pt. 2 of 3)

  99. Chapter 46: The Power of the Church and Church Discipline (Pt. 3 of 3)

  100. Chapter 47: Church Government (Pt. 1 of 3)

  101. Chapter 47: Church Government (Pt. 2 of 3)

  102. Chapter 47: Church Government (Pt. 3 of 3)

  103. Chapter 47: Church Govt. – Role of Women in the Church

  104. Chapter 48: Means of Grace Within the Church

  105. Chapter 49: Baptism

  106. Chapter 50: The Lord’s Supper

  107. Chapter 51: Worship

  108. Chapter 52: Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Pt. 1 of 3)

  109. Chapter 52: Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Pt. 2 of 3)

  110. Chapter 52: Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Pt. 3 of 3)

  111. Chapter 53: Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Prophecy

  112. Chapter 53: Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Healing

  113. Chapter 53: Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Tongues

  114. Chapter 54: Introduction to The Return of Christ

  115. Chapter 54: The Return of Christ: When and How?

  116. Chapter 55: The Millennium: Amillennial and Postmillennial views

  117. Chapter 55: The Millennium: Premillennial view

  118. Chapter 56: The Final Judgment and Eternal Punishment – Who will be judged? What is hell?

  119. Chapter 57: The New Heavens and New Earth (end of Systematic Theology book)

©2024 Wayne Grudem


NOTE - this series of lectures were a Sunday School class Dr Grudem taught 2010-2017, almost 8 full years.

How many should we do a month? Maybe I can edit the poll.

My plan is to try to do 2-4 lessons per month.

You folks will determine if we do it once a week, biweekly, bimonthly or monthly. I'm retired,most of you have busier lives than me.
 
Charlie Steiner said:
Sadly, I feel like I could experience better fellowship here with some guys I only know via random usernames than I would with people I know IRL. I selected 'Yes' as a reflex.

I need to warm up to shelling out 18.50 for a book I'm going to discuss with a group of folks I probably won't ever meet IRL.

Keep me in the loop, though.
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I feel you, Charlie.

It's not easy finding other men to fellowship with, or at least it is for me here in NYC.

My wife and I belong to a couples bible study and socialize with the other 7 couples, and we have another group of about 20 that meets biweekly (it's a core group that will be planting a new church in Brooklyn.) But from our church home in lower Manhattan, we have tons of acquaintances but not so many friends. Really would be nice to see some of those folks more than once a week but everyone is so busy.

If I was back home in West Michigan, I know it would be different. My hometown church has a lot of men centric activities and bonds form naturally out of that. Harder to do that kind of stuff in the city.

Anyway, looking forward to you joining us.

Also, on my prime page there was an option to get a Kindle version for $0.00. I'm not sure about the details.

As I noted above, purchasing the book is optional. I think it's a great reference to have around, but I've led this with folks who never got the book and it really wasn't an issue since we'll be discussing the lectures.
 
El Floppo said:
I love this idea, even though I have zero interest personally.

I found it a little funny you made it a poll instead of a, let's see a show of hands of people interested.

That's my way voting no, with out having the heart to actually vote no.
Click to expand...

:lol:

Hey, miss you dude. You've been on my mind.

Hope you are doing as well as can be expected.

But also it's OK if that's not the case.

You got my number if you ever need to get something off your mind.
 
Turns out you can add new answer options but you cannot delete them once you save them

meh, NBD, think it's clear as mud now
 
@Charlie Steiner

from christianbook.com

Wayne Grudem video lecture series - $19.99 (I presume this is the same audio only version the group will be using? But not certain...)
says 57 lessons on five DVDs - that matches the number of chapters in the 1st edition of Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine

here is an ebook in Spanish for $23.99 -

Teologia Sistematica de Gruden: Introduccion a la doctrina biblica - eBook​


:p

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine - hardcover for $21.95​


the soft cover version is $114.99 :penalty:

looks like used ones are around $6.23 for hardcover and $16.53 for softcover*; doesn't appear to be a Amazon Prime item to another $4 or so for shipping.

*on the Amazon link 3 lines up, click on the link the javascript link that says Other Used, New, Collectible from $6.23

edit

abebooks.com has used copies of the 1994 edition from $10.15

ebay - $15.45
 
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Just to reiterate, the “textbook” is optional.

The lecture and notes, both free, are sufficient.

A bible is required, but they are freely available online.

We will be using the English Standard Version (ESV) Bible but by all means use whichever bible you find easiest to understand.
 
I've always felt my scholarship was lacking because I did not know either the story of the Bible nor many of the stories within the Bible. I cannot count myself as somebody with whom to have a Christian fellowship, so I might follow along, but very casually and without much chriping from the choir. I know BL is thorough with what he does, so this should be interesting for those that seek The Word. I'm just not in that headspace right now.
 
I'm leading my own study right now and my personal reading list is pretty backlogged, so I can't commit to doing much extra right now. I glanced at some of the lecture notes and most of these topics don't land in my areas of interest. However, if there's a thread here, I'd probably join the discussion as long as it's not too annoying having someone participate who hasn't done the homework. Yeah, one of those people. I have people attending the current study I'm leading who do that, so I understand if that's something you don't want. :lol:
 
I am about average if there are religion questions on jeopardy, but any time there is a tournament of champions or similar and there is an old testament, new testament, etc category i get smoked.

The shear number of books to read and people to remember is too much.
 
Beef Ravioli Part 2 said:
Not sure how much of a regular attender I can be but I am interested.
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Same, voted for once a month. During football season it's hard for me to attend church. Bad excuse, I know, but I do have to "work" in the mornings on Sunday to update projections here and that would be impossible if I was in the worship hall.
 
NOTE: with the poll closed, thread title changed to FBGs Bible Study

Thanks for voting. Appreciate the 26 folks who were kind enough to let us know they don't want to participate. Please feel free to ignore us going forward. You are, of course, welcome to change your mind at any time. Or not, it's all good.

In fact, just to clarify, this is an open group, jump on board anytime, leave if you can't find the time. Just providing an opportunity for anyone who wants to better understand the Bible or classical reformed Christian orthodoxy. #AlwaysOnlyJesus

Be forewarned, if you are Catholic, JW, or LDS, this study may rub against the grain of what you have been taught. No apologies - just trying to level set expectations for what this will be about. We will be looking at the Bible from a distinct perspective. While not a prerequisite, what is preeminent is if you personally believe (or think it's possible) that the twelve men who irrevocably changed the world followed a man sent from God - a man who claimed to be God incarnate. Wherever you are at on your journey, if it brought you here, you're in the right place.

We all have differences - that should be celebrated. I once sat in a bible college course and in his opening remarks the teacher stated "How many people are here tonight, 150? Well guess what, we have 150 theologians, with 150 doctrines. We each have our own twist on what we believe is true." That is reality.

We'll try not to major in minors. If you claim Jesus as your Lord and Savior, but we have different ideals about, as one example, we differ about baptism - you are my brother/sister in Christ.

I would posit we, as humans, have far more in common than that which separates us. Further, I believe the Holy Spirit desires us to have unity and live peaceably with one another. We all view life through the prism of our own unique set of life experiences. Many of us have shared experiences, and at a minimum, we are here in this thread because we all want the same thing - to better understand what the Bible is all about. Let us pledge to be kind, welcoming, and to the extent possible in the written virtual world, treat one another warmly.

If you are inclined towards being agnostic, an atheist, skeptical, a theist, or any other form of disbelief/unbelief, you are welcome to "sit in", as it were. In my home church in Manhattan we have unbelievers who come every week, and many volunteer - just because they want a place of community, a sense of belonging. That can be difficult to find in the City. You don't have to believe to belong is my philosophy for this thread.

My only request from the general population of the Free For All forum is to be respectful. We will be studying the bible from the perspective of Systematic Theology, which is to say we are learning together a form of theology which arranges religious truths in a self-consistent whole. If that doesn't interest you, no one is forcing you to read it.

It should go without saying, but please refrain from mocking or disparaging comments. As my dear friend wiikkidpissah used to often say, 'nufced.
 
[blows out]

We have the following FBGs interested:
  1. KingPrawn
  2. Charlie Steiner
  3. Chris B.
  4. popeye
  5. Sullie
  6. rzrback77
  7. BobbyLayne
  8. Beef Ravioli Part 2
  9. Zow
  10. nirad3
  11. Gatorade
That seems like enough to get the ball rolling.

In true boomer fashion, I have chosen a 30 year old textbook to be our guide because that's what I have at home. By golly if it's good enough for me.....

Links above in post #7 if you are ordering, or just Google Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine.

We are using this as an introduction to the Bible because it is very accessible. Trust me, there are other Systematic Theology textbooks out there which are far more dense. Meh.

The latest printing was 2001; my softcover 2000 version has a newly added Appendix 6 and a glossary added. Regardless, THE TEXTBOOK IS NOT REQUIRED. I have guided small groups through this before and the Lesson Outline from WayneGrudem.com and listening to the lectures is sufficient. Dr Grudem put the outlines and the lecture series on his website in the hopes that groups like ours would be formed.

Real quick....1) who is Wayne Grudem? and 2) which Protestant denomination / branch does this textbook align with?
  • 1a) Wikipedia bio
  • 1b) Professor at Phoenix Seminary, an interdenominational Evangelical Christian seminary in Scottsdale, Arizona. Previously he taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for 20 years; TEDS is located in a northern Chicago suburb. He holds degrees from Harvard, Westminster Theological Seminary, and Cambridge. Dude is a legendary theologian.
  • 2) Christian Reformed (CRC), Reformed Church in America (RCA), Presbyterian (PCA), denominations which affirm the Heidelberg Catechism or The Westminster Shorter Catechism, and non-denominational evangelical churches which hold similar viewpoints.
In some parts of the internet you will see people scoff at the mere mention of Grudem. My understanding is this emanates from two things: 1) his involvement with the translation committee for the ESV (English Standard Version) Bible, and 2) his shifting relationship away from Donald Trump.

With respect to the former, the biggest issue as far as I am able to discern is gender terms. Basically, some folks find it offensive the translation committee chose to continue the usage of Brothers and Mankind. Feminists want a more gender neutral Bible. My only comment is the Bible and our Creator God is for everyone - the text speaks for itself in Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus". I am cognizant it's important to affirm folks who feel they have been harmed in some way, but my personal opinion is this smacks of manufactured outrage, a common phenomenon in our culture. Grudem has been misidentified as the Chief Editor of the ESV; in fact, he is merely one of 30 or so scholars who have worked on the translation committee.

WRT the Republican nominee, I will be as direct and succinct as possible. Grudem endorsed Trump during the 2016 election cycle, publicly withdrew his support after the Access Hollywood tape came out in October 2016, and in 2023 called for him to not run for President again. I have no comment, just offering some backstory in case you stumble across someone eye rolling Grudem online.

The 2nd, 3rd and 4th posts of this thread were marked "reserved", I will be adding links to the lectures and outlines as we progress through this.

From the poll results, the preferred frequency is every other week. Next, we should find out which day works best for the majority to hop on for a 30-45 zoom meeting. For me, Mondays and Fridays are out - I have standing commitments to in person small groups on those two nights. I presume Saturday night is a little too intrusive, and Sunday Night is football night and/or similarly encroaching on weekend time.

PLEASE POST if you would like to meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday? Or let us know if you won't be joining the Zoom but still want to follow along.

Each lecture is around 45-55 minutes long. If you listen on Podcasts or Spotify, you should be able to listen on x1.2 or x1.25 playback speed to shorten that somewhat. I would ask that everyone listen to the lecture and review the outline before the Zoom call so we can have a more productive session.

If there is anything else that should be addressed, please let me know.

SCHEDULE (see post #2 for links)
Our textbook has 57 chapters and 1291 pages. The lecture series has 119 sessions. We'll be here awhile - a little over 4-1/2 years. Grab a Snickers.

(we can adjust the frequency down the road if the majority wants to - totally up to y'all, this is your thing, I am just the facilitator)

We will begin the first full week of November. We will be able to cover the first four lectures between now and year end.
  1. Chapter 01: Introduction to Systematic Theology
    What is Systematic Theology? Why should Christians study it? How should we study it?
    week of November 4th
  2. Chapter 02: The Word of God: What are the different forms of the Word of God?
    The Word of God as a Person: Jesus Christ, The Word of God as speech by God, God's Words of Personal Address, God's Word as Speech Through Human Lips, God's Word in Written Form: The Bible
    week of November 18th
  3. Chapter 03: The Canon of Scripture (Old Testament Canon)
    What belongs in the Bible and what does not belong?
    week of December 2nd
  4. Chapter 03: The Canon of Scripture (New Testament Canon)
    The writing of Scripture primarily occurs in connection with God's great acts in redemptive history.
    week of December 16th
Do you guys think we should meet the week of December 30-January 3? LMK

We will begin 2025 studying the Four Characteristics of scripture, and will marinate there for 9 sessions (18 weeks) , covering 5 chapters (4-8) of the textbook. Finish line is Easter 2025.

From there we'll discuss the nature and Characteristics of God - 16 sessions, 32 weeks, Chapters 9-13. Concludes mid-November.

We will close out 2025 with 4 sessions discussing the Trinity, Chapter 14 of the textbook.

As an aside, we won't get to Final Judgement, Hell, the New Heaven & New Earth until mid-2029.
 
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‘sup

:coffee:


please give this a like if you’re still down

will commence a week from Monday (Nov 4) - day before the elections & the NFL trade deadline
 
Hey, just now seeing this. I've been through the Systematic Theology book from Grudem before and it is great. I had no idea about the podcasts. I would be interested in participating as well, depending on availability.

Thanks!
 
Corporation said:
Hey, just now seeing this. I've been through the Systematic Theology book from Grudem before and it is great. I had no idea about the podcasts. I would be interested in participating as well, depending on availability.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Welcome!

Links in post #2 for the audio lecture and Notes.

For the First Lesson Only - can’t find it on podcasts, you’ll have to listen from waynegrudem.com.
 
Sorry. Out of the country. WIFI not reliable. Missed getting Puka and Kupp in my lineups even. Will do what I can. Thanks.
 
I'll be following the thread, but my life seems too busy to commit to a scheduled session. Maybe I'll be able to jump in at some point (later in '26?) after my planned retirement from FT academia.
 
tri-man 47 said:
I'll be following the thread, but my life seems too busy to commit to a scheduled session. Maybe I'll be able to jump in at some point (later in '26?) after my planned retirement from FT academia.
Click to expand...
Yeah I know that I originally said I'd be interested but I am absolutely swamped with two jobs, one of which requires some travel. I will do my best here!
 
Thanks for the feedback, guys!

OK, we'll put this on the shelf for now as no one originally interested has answered in the affirmative.


My apologies, I think my proposal to do a years-to-be-completed study of systematic theology missed the mark. Quite badly.

Let me think and pray on this and I'll try to find a much shorter, easier to manage bible study with a topic that is of more interest.

I'll be back.

@Coporation - sorry GB, but I'll tag you on the reboot.
 
BobbyLayne said:
Thanks for the feedback, guys!

OK, we'll put this on the shelf for now as no one originally interested has answered in the affirmative.


My apologies, I think my proposal to do a years-to-be-completed study of systematic theology missed the mark. Quite badly.

Let me think and pray on this and I'll try to find a much shorter, easier to manage bible study with a topic that is of more interest.

I'll be back.

@Coporation - sorry GB, but I'll tag you on the reboot.
Click to expand...
What about picking a book of the Bible and having a discussion thread?
 
dgreen said:
BobbyLayne said:
Thanks for the feedback, guys!

OK, we'll put this on the shelf for now as no one originally interested has answered in the affirmative.


My apologies, I think my proposal to do a years-to-be-completed study of systematic theology missed the mark. Quite badly.

Let me think and pray on this and I'll try to find a much shorter, easier to manage bible study with a topic that is of more interest.

I'll be back.

@Coporation - sorry GB, but I'll tag you on the reboot.
Click to expand...
What about picking a book of the Bible and having a discussion thread?
Click to expand...

Yes. That's always good.

Or for a group like this where there are lots of different view points, something even more general might be good.

I'd maybe suggest Tim Keller's

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism​


He was a thoughtful voice in many discussions I think might be of interest.
 
Joe Bryant said:
dgreen said:
BobbyLayne said:
Thanks for the feedback, guys!

OK, we'll put this on the shelf for now as no one originally interested has answered in the affirmative.


My apologies, I think my proposal to do a years-to-be-completed study of systematic theology missed the mark. Quite badly.

Let me think and pray on this and I'll try to find a much shorter, easier to manage bible study with a topic that is of more interest.

I'll be back.

@Coporation - sorry GB, but I'll tag you on the reboot.
Click to expand...
What about picking a book of the Bible and having a discussion thread?
Click to expand...

Yes. That's always good.

Or for a group like this where there are lots of different view points, something even more general might be good.

I'd maybe suggest Tim Keller's

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism​


He was a thoughtful voice in many discussions I think might be of interest.
Click to expand...

That's a fantastic book. That would actually be really on point for this group.

As an aside, Tim - who passed away last spring - founded the church I attend. The reason he came to Manhattan in the late 1980s, when NYC was the least churched city in America, was to engage young professionals in a reasoned discussion on the case for Christianity.

Here's an excerpt from a 2006 NYT article on Tim and Redeemer Presbyterian:

Preaching the Word and Quoting the Voice​


By Michael Luo

Feb. 26, 2006

In the twilight of the biggest snowstorm in New York City's history, the pews of a rented Baptist church on the Upper West Side of Manhattan were packed for the Rev. Timothy J. Keller's fourth sermon of the day.

The 600 or so who braved the snow for the evening service got what they had come to expect -- a compelling discourse by Dr. Keller, this time on Jesus' healing of the paralytic, that quoted such varied sources as C. S. Lewis, The Village Voice and the George MacDonald fairy tale "The Princess and the Goblin."

It was the kind of cogent, literary sermon that has helped turn Dr. Keller, a former seminary professor whose only previous pulpit experience was at a small blue-collar church in rural Virginia, into the pastor many call Manhattan's leading evangelist.

Over the last 16 years, Dr. Keller's church, Redeemer Presbyterian, has swelled to 4,400 attendees, mostly young professionals and artists who do not fit the prototypical evangelical mold, spread out across four different services on Sundays.

Although Dr. Keller, 55, is hardly a household name among believers outside New York -- in part because he has avoided the Christian speaking circuit -- his renown is growing in pastoral circles and in the movement to establish or "plant" new churches, a trend among evangelicals these days.

Pastors from around the world are beginning to come in a steady stream to New York City to glean what they can from Dr. Keller and Redeemer. Their goal is to learn how to create similarly effective churches in cosmopolitan cities like New York, which exert outsize influence on the prevailing culture but have traditionally been neglected by evangelicals in favor of the suburbs.


I am part of the core team that is planting Redeemer's first Brooklyn church in Spring 2025. I know we have a few Brooklyn folks around, there's an informational program tomorrow night.

Redeemer Downtown Brooklyn - Interest Program
  • Vision Night
    Wednesday, October 30th, 7pm
    at St. Francis College (179 Livingston St - between Hoyt St & Smith St)

My wife and I will be ushering, just look for the silver haired guy in a ponytail.
 
short notice, but here is an event my church is holding tonight near Times Square

Happy Hour: The Story Edition​

This Local Gathering is Happy Hour: The Story Edition.
You’ve heard of Guest Sundays. Consider this Guest Happy Hour. Come and have a drink at the Redeemer Downtown offices in Time Square with others who may be exploring faith and spirituality. Invite friends to come and ask tough questions, all over great food and drinks. Share with others and have them sign up. Drinks on us.
Who: Downtowners + friends
What: Guest Happy Hour
When: Tuesday, October 29 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Redeemer Downtown Offices (1500 Broadway, Floor 7)
Click below to sign up, and you'll be added to Matt and David's roster.
If you have general questions about Local Gatherings, please email localgatherings@redeemer.com.
And if you're interested in a five week course to explore life's big questions, please check out The Story Course to learn more.

Happy Hour: The Story registration

We hold these type of courses and one-night discussions on a regular basis to inform folks who are currently unchurched but curious if Christian orthodoxy is relevant or meaningful in today's world.
 
Thanks again for organizing @BobbyLayne . I do think a shorter study would work well, for both people who are searching and for those looking for fellowship. Please keep me posted. If I can help organize anything please let me know. I think a Zoom call (or Discord or whatever) where people can share would be impactful.
 
It a shame this didn't work. So many different schedules. Just a thought. While reading thru some of these other threads, it occurred to me that there are many opportunities for prayer right here on this message board. Maybe we can take this opportunity to at least unite in prayer for a particular person or subject. I am going to start concentrating on the thread about "living your best/worst life ."
 
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