Introduction to Christian theology Author:Henry Boynton Smith Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A SYSTEM OF THEOLOGY ADAPTED TO OUR TIMES. We do not here speak of the general traits of theology viewed as a syste... more »m, but only of such as are impressed upon it by the peculiarities of any given period. Every system of theology has its universal characteristics, which fit it for all times; and its special, such as fit it for the times and circumstances in which it is to have its principal use. No system of theology can be of much worth in any particular times which is not fitted specially for those times. (1.) We need a definite system on the points now chiefly controverted. By this two things are meant: first, that in his personal convictions each one should strive for the most definite modes of statement—should strive to get at those expressions, those forms of words, which best express the truth, so far as he has learned it. Vague, indefinite statements, on questions which are hotly debated, are among the great evils and hin- derances in our theological systems and men. Each one should know whereof he affirms. And even on those points where, either from the limitation of the human powers, or his own insufficient studies, he is not ready to make a final and formal statement, he should at least be able to know and state how far heis in doubt, between what two or more forms of statement he is hesitating, how far the evidence in the case seems to him insufficient to warrant a dogmatic assertion pro or con. It is not to be expected that we should on all points at once attain entire conviction; but this at least may be expected, that we should know the boundaries to which we have come, the lines we have drawn, the rock which we have found to be solid to our feet. Qui bene distinguit, bcne intelligit (or docct). The second aspect o...« less