An Instructor’s Guide to Historical Theology: An
Introduction to Christian Doctrine
(A Companion to Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology)
Tyler Smith, MDiv
with a foreword by the author
, Foreword to Faculty
One of my purposes for writing Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian
Doctrine was to offer professors a resource that provides a concise presentation of the
development of the key doctrines of the Christian faith beginning with the early church and
continuing into the twenty-first century. Organized topically, then chronologically, this book is
unique in terms of its approach, and professors may consider using it in at least three ways:
1. In systematic theology courses, the book serves as a required textbook, along with a
systematic theology textbook, providing students with an introduction to how the
doctrines they are studying came about historically.
2. In systematic theology courses, the book serves as a supplemental textbook, offering
students a choice between reading about the historical development of the doctrines they
are studying and some other reading assignment or writing exercise.
3. In church history and historical theology courses, the book serves as a required textbook,
along with a textbook on the chronological development of the church in terms of key
events, movements, church struggles, leaders, and the like, with Historical Theology
emphasizing the development of Christian doctrines.
Professors who use Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical
Doctrine (to which my Historical Theology is a companion) find my book to be a natural and
easy addition to their courses (see the helpful chart in Historical Theology, pp. 19–20, for how to
use these two volumes together for greatest benefit).
Adoption of a new textbook for a course is not without its difficulties, so Zondervan
offers this instructor’s manual for Historical Theology. It includes such helpful elements as key
terms, key people, key points, and a summary for each chapter, along with chapter quizzes with
true/false statements, multiple choice questions, and fill in the blank identifications. Additional
resources provided by Zondervan are videos, presentation slides (PowerPoint), online flashcards,
and online quizzes. With these elements at hand, professors should be able to write or rewrite
course syllabi and exams, use media for creative and engaging communication, focus students’
reading and class discussion, and identify key areas in which further study (for example, in
primary sources) may be profitable.
I believe that you will benefit from the resources in this manual as you use my Historical
Theology in your course(s). If your students gain a sense of rootedness to the church that has
gone before them, wisdom from the past, and an appreciation for the rich legacy that is theirs
through historical theology, I will be very pleased and will have accomplished my task.
Gregg R. Allison, PhD
1
, Introduction
This Instructor’s Guide to Gregg Allison’s Historical Theology: An Introduction to
Christian Doctrine provides the instructor with three primary tools for integrating the textbook
into his curriculum: an instructor’s manual, visual resources, and online resources.
The instructor’s manual is written with the intention of supplying its reader with a
concise, yet thorough, summary of each chapter. Though these summaries are not all-
encompassing in their presentation, major points are highlighted and elaborated on in some
detail. Important historical events and key historical figures are given special attention, while
less significant elements are either briefly discussed or omitted altogether. It is hoped that these
summaries will serve to grant the instructor confidence as he seeks to explain the content of each
chapter to his students. In addition to the chapter summaries, the instructor’s manual includes a
list of each chapter’s key terms and key people, and further provides chapter quizzes. It is
recommended that instructors focus on these key terms and key people during their lectures;
many of these terms will be included as part of the quizzes.
Visual resources are also provided for the instructor’s use. Organized by chapter, succinct
outlines are supplied for the instructor to incorporate into his lectures. Consistent with the
general structure of the textbook, these lecture outlines progress from the early church time
period, to the Middle Ages, to the Reformation and post-Reformation, and finally to the modern
era. Each outline furnishes the instructor with organized speaking points that correspond with
each of the respective eras. Moreover, these outlines serve as a solid foundation for the
instructor, and each may be adapted to suit the instructor’s specific needs.
The online components in this resource include chapter flash cards and chapter quizzes.
The flash cards provide definitions and descriptions of many of the key terms and key people
that are found in each chapter. Students should be encouraged to put the flash cards to use in
their studies as they prepare for the quizzes, since many of these key terms and key people
appear in the included quizzes. The online quizzes test the students’ knowledge of the material
using true/false, multiple choice, and fill in the blank questions. If the instructor chooses to
incorporate these quiz questions into his examinations, it is suggested that he address the content
of some of the questions during his lectures.
Gregg Allison has masterfully provided his readers with the opportunity to encounter the
historical development of theology in accordance with a topical-chronological arrangement. The
fruit of his labors is nothing short of a major achievement, and much credit is certainly due him
for his fine work. It is my hope that this resource will serve as a helpful complement to his work
and that it will be used for the furthering of the kingdom of Christ, for the building up of the
church, and for the glory of God.
Tyler M. Smith, MDiv
2
, Table of Contents
Chapter Summaries ............................................................................................................. 5
Chapter 1: Introduction to Historical Theology ................................................................ 5
PART 1: THE DOCTRINE OF THE WORD OF GOD
Chapter 2: The Canon of Scripture ................................................................................... 7
Chapter 3: The Inspiration of Scripture .......................................................................... 10
Chapter 4: The Authority of Scripture ............................................................................ 13
Chapter 5: The Inerrancy of Scripture ............................................................................ 17
Chapter 6: The Clarity of Scripture ................................................................................ 20
Chapter 7: The Sufficiency and Necessity of Scripture................................................... 23
Chapter 8: The Interpretation of Scripture ...................................................................... 26
PART 2: THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
Chapter 9: The Existence and Knowability of God ........................................................ 29
Chapter 10: The Character of God ................................................................................. 33
Chapter 11: God in Three Persons—The Trinity ............................................................ 37
Chapter 12: Creation ...................................................................................................... 41
Chapter 13: Providence .................................................................................................. 45
Chapter 14: Angels, Satan, and Demons ........................................................................ 49
PART 3: THE DOCTRINE OF HUMANITY
Chapter 15: The Creation and Nature of Humanity ........................................................ 52
Chapter 16: Sin .............................................................................................................. 58
PART 4: THE DOCTRINES OF CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
Chapter 17: The Person of Jesus Christ .......................................................................... 62
Chapter 18: The Atonement ........................................................................................... 66
Chapter 19: Resurrection and Ascension ........................................................................ 70
Chapter 20: The Holy Spirit ........................................................................................... 73
PART 5: THE DOCTRINE OF THE APPLICATION OF REDEMPTION
Chapter 21: Election and Reprobation ............................................................................ 77
Chapter 22: regeneration, Conversion, and Effective Calling ......................................... 81
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