The word that goes before
the blueprint
Lesson 1 · Course 52
Introduction — belief about God / prolegomena
The Bible’s story, what doctrine is for, and the blueprint that goes before the rest of theology.
At a glance
Summary
The Bible’s story, what doctrine is for, and the blueprint that goes before the rest of theology. The Bible is 66 books, many authors, about 1,600 years — and one story: God revealing Himself and redeeming people (Hebrews 1:1–2). Christianity is Jesus Christ.
Big ideas
What to teach and remember
- The Bible is 66 books, many authors, about 1,600 years — and one story: God revealing Himself and redeeming people (Hebrews 1:1–2). Christianity is Jesus Christ.
- Doctrine is not a cold hobby. It is teaching that meets people at the point of need — a wrench that actually turns, not a trophy on the shelf.
- The gospel is good news as a proposition (Christ died, was buried, rose — 1 Corinthians 15) and as a Person received (John 1:12). Do not separate relationship from truth.
- Prolegomena means “the word that goes before” — the blueprint. We assume God exists and speaks, that truth does not contradict itself, and that the last step of communication is worship (John 4:24).
- Test doctrine by consistency, correspondence, relevance, Christ’s centrality, and thoroughness. Towns maps eleven divisions, not twenty-two.
Key terms
People, places, and words that matter
Prolegomena
The word that goes before: God exists and reveals Himself; laws are constant; we can know what we observe; truth does not contradict itself; the mind receives…
Five tests of doctrine
Consistency, correspondence to reality, relevance to need, centrality of Christ, and thoroughness. A sermon can be clever and still fail these tests.
Eleven divisions of theology
Prolegomena, bibliology, theology proper, Christology, pneumatology, anthropology, hamartiology, soteriology, angelology, ecclesiology, eschatology — a map so…
The Bible
The Bible is 66 books, many authors, about 1,600 years — and one story: God revealing Himself and redeeming peopl
Christianity
Christianity is Jesus Christ
Doctrine
Doctrine is not a cold hobby
Structure
Outline / timeline
- Prolegomena
- Five tests of doctrine
- Eleven divisions of theology
Must remember
Facts to keep straight
| Quiz score | 100% (1 attempt) |
|---|---|
| Key claim | The Bible is 66 books, many authors, about 1,600 years — and one story: God revealing Himself and redeeming people (Hebrews 1:1–2)… |
| Key claim | Doctrine is not a cold hobby. It is teaching that meets people at the point of need — a wrench that actually turns, not a trophy on the… |
| Key claim | The gospel is good news as a proposition (Christ died, was buried, rose — 1 Corinthians 15) and as a Person received (John 1:12). Do not… |
For the pulpit
Sermon hooks
- A sermon can be clever and still fail these tests.
- Prolegomena, bibliology, theology proper, Christology, pneumatology, anthropology, hamartiology, soteriology, angelology, ecclesiology, eschatology — a map so…
Quiz drill
Quiz drill / review · open to practice · 10 items
Quiz score: 100% · 1 attempt
1. The Bible is made up of 77 books.
FalseSixty-six books. Do not let a number error become a pulpit error.
2. Christian doctrine speaks to the point of need.
TrueTheology that never lands in a life is not yet ready to preach.
3. God’s greatest way to communicate was through His Son.
TrueHebrews 1 — the final Word is a Person.
4. The first step in communication between God and man is worship.
FalseWorship is the final step, not the first. We hear, then we bow.
5. The content of Christian doctrine is God’s good news.
TrueDoctrine carries the gospel; it is not a rival to the gospel.
6. Prolegomena means “to go before.”
TrueIt is the porch of the house — what must be said before the rooms.
7. A presupposition is a self-evident truth.
TrueWe all start somewhere. Name your starting place honestly.
8. The first presupposition is that there is a God who has revealed Himself.
TrueWe do not guess God into being; He speaks.
9. The first test used to verify doctrine is reliable eyewitnesses.
FalseThe first test is consistency. Eyewitnesses matter, but they are not the first sieve here.
10. Dr. Towns sees 22 divisions of theology and doctrine.
FalseEleven divisions: from prolegomena through eschatology.
Essay themes
If you preach or review
Prolegomena
The word that goes before: God exists and reveals Himself; laws are constant; we can know what we observe; truth does not contradict itself; the mind receives what is logical. Build the house on that porch.
Five tests of doctrine
Consistency, correspondence to reality, relevance to need, centrality of Christ, and thoroughness. A sermon can be clever and still fail these tests.
Eleven divisions of theology
Prolegomena, bibliology, theology proper, Christology, pneumatology, anthropology, hamartiology, soteriology, angelology, ecclesiology, eschatology — a map so you do not preach only your favorite room.