Thanks for checking out Grace Institute!
Our course on “Foundations in Theology” is a two-year program designed to be comparable to a college-level class on Systematic Theology.
What is Systematic Theology?
“Systematic” refers to something being put into a system. Systematic Theology is the division of theology into systems that explain various topics. For example, many books of the Bible give information about the Holy Spirit. No one book gives all the information about the Holy Spirit. Systematic Theology takes all the information about the Holy Spirit from all the books of the Bible and organizes it into a system called Pneumatology. That is what Systematic Theology is all about—organizing the various topics of the Bible into systems.
Our Textbook:
Our textbook for the class is Wayne Grudem’s “Systematic Theology“. Since this is a rather exhaustive volume, we have broken down the course into twenty-two classes over a two-year period.
When do we meet?
Grace Institute meets the 1st Saturday of every month (with a few exceptions…see below) at Centerville Grace from 8am – 11am.
Who is our instructor?
We are honored to have Dr. Greg Ryerson, D.Min. instructing our classes. Greg is a graduate of Grace College and Seminary, has pastored in several churches, and is a licensed Biblical Counselor. We are honored to have Greg lead this series of classes for us!
Who can participate?
We welcome anyone to participate. To get the most out of the class, we recommend you read the assignment prior to class time and come with any questions you might have from your reading of the text. The cost of the book is $32 and we have them here at Centerville Grace, or you can order one yourself online.
Class Overview:
You can download a Course Introduction: HERE
Class Notes:
You can download the actual class notes for each class below.
The class notes will be available the month before the class meets.
| March 5, 2016 | Biblical interpretation | Grudem, Ch. 1 | Class notes |
| April 9, 2016 | The Doctrine of God's Word | Grudem, Ch. 2-8 | Class notes |
| May 7, 2016 | Theology Proper, Part 1 | Grudem, Ch. 9-11 | Class notes |
| June 4, 2016 | Theology Proper, Part 2 | Grudem, Ch. 12-14 | Class notes |
| July 2, 2016 | The Doctrine of Christ | Grudem, Ch. 26-29 | Class notes |
| August, 6, 2016 | The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit | Grudem, Ch. 30, 39, 52-53 | Class notes |
| Sept. 10, 2016 | God's Decrees | Grudem, Ch. 15-17 | Class notes |
| Oct. 8, 2016 | The Doctrine of Man | Grudem, Ch. 21-23 | Class notes |
| Nov. 5, 2016 | God's Covenants with Man | Grudem, Ch. 25 | Class notes |
| December | (Winter Break) | ||
| January 7, 2017 | The Doctrine of Angels, Demons, and Satan | Grudem, Ch. 19-20 | Class notes |
| February 4, 2017 | The Doctrine of Sin | Grudem, Ch. 24 | Class notes |
| March 4, 2017 | The Doctrine of Salvation, Part 1 | Grudem, Ch. 31-35 | Class notes |
| April 1, 2017 | The Doctrine of Salvation, Part 2 | Grudem, Ch. 36-38, 40-43 | Class notes |
| May 6, 2017 | The Christian Life | Grudem, Ch. 18 | Class notes |
| June 10, 2017 | The Doctrine of the Kingdom | Ryerson notes | Class notes |
| July 1, 2017 | The Doctrine of the Church, Part 1 | Grudem, Ch. 44-48 | Class notes |
| August, 5, 2017 | The Doctrine of the Church, Part 2 | Grudem, Ch. 49-51 | Class notes |
| Sept. 9, 2017 | The Doctrine of the Future, Part 1 | Grudem, Ch. 54 | Class notes |
| Oct. 7, 2017 | The Doctrine of the Future, Part 2 | Grudem, Ch. 55-57 | Class notes |
| Nov. 4, 2017 | The FGBC Statement of Faith | Reading Assignment | Class notes |
| December | (Winter Break) | ||
| January 6, 2018 | Other Brethren Beliefs and Practices | Ryerson Notes | |
| Feb.3, 2018 | (Sunday) Graduation Ceremony |