I was surprised to see that the term “systematic theology” — and especially “systematic theology for kids” — has been trending unusually high since late December. It seems there has been an explosion of interest in this very complex yet fascinating topic — which, unfortunately, has resulted in a profusion of unreliable information across the internet.
So in this article, I’m going to set the record straight. First, I’ll give a short explanation of what systematic theology is and why you might want to learn about it — even if you aren’t an academic. Then I’ll recommend some genuine, high-quality resources for doing so, for both kids and adults.
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What Is Systematic Theology?
Systematic theology is an academic discipline involving an extensive, methodical, highly detailed (“systematic”) analysis of biblical and historical resources to arrive at a complete, comprehensive statement of Christian doctrine (“theology”).
It’s closely related to biblical theology, which also engages in a comprehensive analysis of scriptural revelation and resulting doctrines — but systematic theology (or “systematics” for short) extends into many other disciplines outside of Scripture — everything from philosophy and anthropology to physics, economics, you name it — all pieced together, like a jigsaw puzzle, into one single theological picture.
It’s an exceedingly complex discipline, often taking many years (or decades) for practitioners to reach a satisfactory conclusion to their work. Most systematic theologies are several volumes in length, presenting that particular thinker’s careful, point-by-point analysis of everything from the means by which God creates, to the nature of the Trinity, to the relationship between human bodies and souls, to spiritual beings, the afterlife, and the end times. And everything in between.
In other words, it’s a lot.
Why Should Everyday Christians Care?
The fact is that for most of us outside of a university setting, understanding the intricacies of systematic theology is neither possible nor desirable — just as most of us don’t need to understand the mathematical precision of molecular friction in order to warm up our food in the microwave. It’s enough for us to pray, study our Bibles, and read the occasional book or article on Christian thought and practice.
But here’s why it matters: those of us on the ground tend to be influenced by the ideas and doctrines of systematic theologians whether we know it or not.
Why?
Because other scholars read their works, pick an important or compelling aspect of them, and simplify and explain it so that everyday Christians can better understand it.
If you’ve ever found something in the Bible to be a little confusing (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?), and you went to look it up, chances are the answers you found came one way or another from a systematic theologian.
Where to Learn About Systematic Theology
All that having been said, it is possible to learn about systematic theology (without getting a PhD), and it can be incredibly informative and edifying — but it will require some reading.
20th and 21st Century Systematic Theologies
By far the most popular single-volume work on systematics is Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, which presents a conservative Evangelical perspective from a Reformed Baptist theological background. Grudem (one of the overseers of the ESV translation of the Bible, and general editor of the ESV Study Bible) has also created two extremely helpful companion resources, a Systematic Theology Laminated Study Guide and Systematic Theology Workbook.
Also popular, and in a remarkably brief package, is R.C. Sproul’s Everyone’s a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology, an accessible introduction to systematics from a Reformed Presbyterian background.
If you’re not from a Reformed Evangelical background, here are a few other systematic theologies you might be interested in:
- Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics (Reformed): A massive work by one of the 20th century’s most influential theologians. Helpfully summarized in Marty Folsom’s (so far) three-volume Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics for Everyone.
- Wolfhart Pannenberg’s Introduction to Systematic Theology (Lutheran): A single-volume summary of his larger work of systematics.
- Katherine Sonderegger’s Systematic Theology (Episcopalian): The first systematic theology by a woman, Sonderegger’s work focuses on the unity of God. Two volumes have been released, with as many as three more planned.
- T.A. Noble’s Christian Theology (Methodist): Another work in progress, from which one volume out of a planned three have been released.
- James H. Evans Jr.’s We Have Been Believers: An African American Systematic Theology: A short look at systematics from an African American perspective.
Historical Works of Systematic Theology
Although systematic theology as an academic discipline arose out of the Protestant confessional tradition and didn’t become mainstream until the 19th century, Christian thinkers have been making attempts at comprehensive theological statements since the 3rd century.
Here are a few of the most influential systematical works throughout Christian history:
- Origen’s On First Principles (ca. 220-230 AD): The first-ever attempt at a systematic overview of Christian theology. Notable for articulating a hope for universal salvation.
- Augustine’s City of God (426 AD): One of the most influential works of Christian theology ever written. Notable for proposing doctrines of predestination and original sin.
- Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica (1274): Perhaps the most important and comprehensive treatment of Catholic theology outside of the Catechism.
- John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536): One of the most important and definitive works of Protestant theology. Presents essentially the entire basis for the Reformed tradition.
Systematic Theology for Kids: An Oxymoron?
By now you must be thinking, if systematic theology is such a dense, academic topic, isn’t “systematic theology for kids” kind of a contradiction in terms?
The answer is yes — which is part of the reason I was struck by the sudden popularity of “systematic theology workbooks for kids.”
But that doesn’t mean kids can’t learn the principles behind systematic theology — starting, first and foremost, with a solid foundation of biblical literacy. Here are two great options to get them started:
- Bible Study Workbook for Kids: One of the most popular resources for getting a background on biblical theology for kids is The Bible Study Workbook for Kids by Jenny Ingram. Ingram’s book is full of fun educational activities for kids age 8-12 or so, organized into 52 weekly sessions for year-round Bible learning. And it has cute hand-drawn illustrations from professional illustrator Patrick Corrigan.
- Tiny Theologians Bible: Better yet, pair Ingram’s workbook with the new Tiny Theologians Bible, which includes the entire biblical text in the kid-friendly NIrV translation, alongside a wealth of book intros, study notes, maps, and more — all wrapped up in a colorful, beautifully illustrated package. If you want to teach biblical theology to kids, it’s hard to find a better place to start.
There are lots of other great kids’ Bible available, so if the Tiny Theologians isn’t what you’re looking for, check out our guide where I recommend some of my favorites.
Want another way to discover a trove of trusted resources — and access them right from your phone or computer? Bible Gateway Plus offers dozens of study Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and other resources to go deeper into every aspect of God’s Word. Start your free trial today!
Jacob Edson is Editorial Director of Bible Gateway. He holds a Master of Theological Studies in Early Christian Thought from Harvard Divinity School, and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious History from Memorial University of Newfoundland, though with most of his coursework from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. His work has previously appeared in Ekstasis and Geez Magazine. He lives with his wife and children in New England.
