Where does one start to build his theology? In preparation for my ordination I wrote an ordination paper that I had to defend. One of the first questions asked was, “why did you start this paper the way you did? Was there a reason for the order of your theological categories?” I began my paper the way many do. I began it with bibliology, the doctrine or study of the Bible.

Why start there? Why begin with the Bible? I believe for one to have a solid theology (the study of God), he must first begin with the Bible.

2 Peter 1:16-21 says,
“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (ESV)

In this passage, Peter says that he and his companions had seen, walked, and talked with Jesus the Christ. They heard God talk about Him and saw His glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. Yet, there was still something that taught them more about Christ and His deity than that. They had the Word of God, Scripture. When Peter proclaimed what he knew about God and the Christ, he claimed from Scripture.

We are at a disadvantage. We have not seen Jesus. We have not heard God talk about Himself audibly today, but we do have what Peter had. We have Scripture. We have the completed Word of God. Peter didn’t even have that. Everything I know or believe about God is founded upon Scripture... or at least it should be.

Where should we begin when we begin to build our Theology? We should begin with the infallibly, inerrant, Word of God.