Pieper, Francis. Christian Dogmatics: Volume 1. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1968.
Chapter A7, “Christian Religion and Christian Theology”
In this very brief segment, Pieper distinguishes between the religious knowledge typically held by “laity” (he does not use that term) and the theological knowledge normally held by theologians, pastors, and teachers. In essence, he says, they are the same, but the theologians go a bit farther in their study. Counter to some modernists, Pieper does not see a big distinction. Both the “religious” and the “theological” draw their learning and their authority from the Bible. Both use guides, though the theologian uses more exhaustive and scholarly guides. Pieper will hold the discussion of theology as a “science” or “system” until later.
Chapter A8, “Christian Theology”
At this point, Pieper defines “theology.” Unlike “religion” the etymology is quite clear. Yet the term has both an objective and subjective sense. Subjectively it is knowledge of God. Objectively it is specific doctrine of God. Though the term is not used in the Bible it follows perfectly naturally from biblical ideas. Pieper identifies four specific meanings of “theology.”
1) Knowledge of God needed by public ministers and congregations (1 Timothy 3:2, 5).
2) Knowledge of God needed to train public teachers (2 Timothy 2:2).
3) Knowledge of God all Christians have (John 3:16).
4) Study of specific concepts pertaining to Christianity.
Theology, rightly viewed, is subject to the Bible. It does not go farther than the Bible teaches, into scientific speculation.
In Pieper’s work the term “theology” will generally refer to knowledge needed for public ministry.
Chapter A9 “Theology as Aptitude”
Pieper outlines Scriptural ideas of the aptitude a theologian must have.
1) A spiritual aptitude - the theologian believes Jesus. 2 Corinthians 3:5-6; Ephesians 2:2; 1 Timothy 3:1ff; 2 Timothy 2:1ff; John 6:45
2) Willingness to take doctrine from the Bible only. 1 Timothy 6:3; John 17:20; 1 Peter 1:10-12; Ephesians 2:20; Jeremiah 23
3) Ready to teach all of Scripture. Acts 20:26-27; 1 Timothy 4:16
4) Able to refute false teachers. Titus 1:9-11; Titus 3:9; 2 Corinthians 10:3
It is necessary to teach truth and reject falsehood. Romans 16:17; Titus 1:9, 11; 2 John 10; 1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:14
5) Willingness to suffer for Christian doctrine. 2 Timothy 2:3, 9; 1 Corinthians 1:23; Matthew 24:9; Acts 9:16; Acts 26:21; 2 Timothy 2:12; 2 Timothy 2:1