Systematic Theology 4 by Pastor Dolapo Lawal: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

Bibliology: The Study of Scripture

Bibliology is the study of the nature, origin, authority, and purpose of the Bible. It answers two questions: what is the Bible, and why do we believe it?

Key Truth 1: The Bible Is Inspired

2 Timothy 3:16–17 — "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

The word "inspiration" there means God-breathed. God divinely guided human authors to write what he intended. He used human minds — but the result was inspired.

2 Peter 1:20–21 — "Prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

One of the evidences of genuine inspiration is that the Bible does not try to make its characters look good. It is unsparing in its honesty about David's failures, Solomon's foolishness, Peter's denial. A human writer trying to build a religion would have sanitised these accounts. The Bible says it how it is.

The Bible doesn't need us to inspire inspiration. Explain it exactly as it is, and it will be correct.

The only place we miss the Bible's meaning is when we refuse to sit in the audience seat — when we fail to ask: who was this written to, what was their context, and what did their Bible (Genesis to Malachi) say?

Key Truth 2: The Canon

Canon means a rule or measuring stick. It refers to the set of books recognised as divinely inspired and authoritative.

The Old Testament canon — 39 books — was recognised by the Jewish community and affirmed by Jesus and the apostles. Luke 24:44 — "All things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms concerning me."

The New Testament canon — 27 books — was written by apostles or their close associates, recognised by the early church, and consistent with apostolic doctrine. Jude 1:3 — "Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." That faith there is not an emotion — it is a body of doctrine. A body of knowledge that was delivered once, complete, and is to be defended.

From Faith to Faith

Romans 1:17 — "The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith."

That phrase "from faith to faith" is not talking about levels of faith — small faith, big faith, growing faith. The faith that moves mountains is the same size as a mustard seed. What Paul means is: from the faith of those in the Old Testament who believed in the promise of the Messiah to come, to the faith of those in the New Testament who believe in the Messiah who has come.

Romans 1:1–4 — Paul says the gospel "was promised before through the prophets in the holy scriptures, concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was declared to be the Son of God by the resurrection from the dead." The two faiths are: faith in the promise, and faith in the fulfilment.

What God Is Saying When He Is Silent

There are things that will happen in your life with no explanation. Abraham was promised a land but died a stranger in it. He was still a success. Only him and God knew what the promise meant — and he died holding it, still waiting for the city whose builder and maker is God.

Some things God does will look like games. God told a barren man in Genesis 20 to pray for other barren people, and they gave birth. He is not punishing — he is training.

Suspend the "why." Change your disposition. Start giving thanks. Be strong in faith.

Romans 4:20 — Abraham staggered not at the promise of God but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. We keep thanking him. That's the posture.