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BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1970

Theology Proper and Angelology
Edited by
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF BIBLE 1971

THE DOCTRINE COURSES
in the EVENING SCHOOL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
of
PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF BIBLE

FIRST YEAR*
(*The Doctrine of Bibliology (Inspiration) is taught in the Evening School of Continuing Education as part of the course in Biblical Introduction.)
E121 DOCTRINE I: Names of God

SECOND YEAR
E223-224 DOCTRINES II and III: Theology Proper and Angelology; Anthropology; Hamartiology (Doctrines of God, the Tri-unity; Angels and Satan; Man; Sin)
E226 DOCTRINE IV: Christology (Doctrine of Christ)

THIRD YEAR
E321-322 DOCTRINES V and VI: Soteriology I (Doctrines of Salvation)
E323-324 DOCTRINES VII and VIII: Soteriology II (Doctrines of the Christian Life and Holy Spirit)
E326 DOCTRINE IX: Eschatology I (Doctrine of Ages and Dispensations)

FOURTH YEAR
E425 DOCTRINE X: Eschatology II (Doctrines of the Covenants and the Church (Ecclesiology)
E426 DOCTRINE XI: Eschatology III (Doctrine of Future Things)

SYSTEMATIC BIBLICAL DOCTRINE
A systematic course in all the essential doctrines of Christianity as revealed in the Bible, covering the doctrine of the inspiration of the Scriptures, and the doctrines of God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; of Man; of Sin; of Angels, Satan, and Demons; of the Church; the doctrines of Salvation, and of Future Events, Death, the Second Coming of Christ, and the Eternal State. The great words of Scripture: Adoption, Atonement, Justification, Faith, Righteousness, Redemption, Grace, Prayer, the Church, etc., are studied. The student is thoroughly grounded in Bible doctrine as the basis for his Christian service.

The distinctive emphasis embodied in the writings and reference Bible of Dr. C. I. Scofield, first president of one of the merged schools, is the guiding principle of this course.

Due to increasing discussion in fundamental Christian circles as to the time of the rapture of the Church and other details of the prophetic program, special emphasis is placed upon this portion of the course. The student is not only given our school's positive viewpoint but an apologetic to answer contrary views.

 
INTRODUCTION
THEOLOGY: from the Greek theos (God) and logos (word or discourse)

Definitions:
Theology is the science of God and the relations between God and the universe. (Strong)

Systematic Theology is the collecting, scientifically arranging, comparing, exhibiting, and defending of all facts from any and every source concerning God and His works. (Chafer)

Doctrine, which simply means "teaching, " is the less formal word we use a great deal at PCB.

According to its approach theological study may be divided into:
1. Natural Theology - the science of God and His works based on His revelation in nature.
2. Biblical or Revealed Theology - the science of God and His works based on His revelation in the Scriptures.

Both approaches are valid, but the former is greatly limited by the relatively small scope of man's observation. The Scriptures include, clarify, and greatly add to the facts revealed in nature.

Theology is a science. Until recent times it was considered "the queen of the sciences" or "the science of sciences." However, the present tendency is to downgrade doctrine, calling it mere "dogma." Men prefer the haze of indefiniteness. "Theology is the 'science of sciences' not in the sense of including all other sciences, but in the sense of using their results and showing their underlying ground." (Strong) Every other science requires theology for its completion. "If you go very deeply into politics, you are sure to get into theology. " (Proudhon, quoted by Strong)

Science does not create; it discovers. This fact along with the fact that theology is a science should determine the aim of theological study.

Theology depends upon:

1. Existence of a God who has relationship to the universe.

2. Capacity of the human mind for knowing God.

3. Provision of means by which God is brought into actual contact with the mind. (Strong)
    

Major divisions of theology:

1. Bibliology - a consideration of the essential facts concerning the Bible. (Studied in PCB evening school under Biblical Introduction.)

2. Theology Proper - a consideration of the essential facts concerning the Tri-unity (Trinity).

3. Angelology - a consideration of the essential facts concerning the angels (and Satan).

4. Anthropology - a consideration of the essential facts concerning man. (The fuller doctrine of Christ, Christology, is inserted by PCB at this point in anticipation of the doctrine of Salvation.)

5. Soteriology - a consideration of the essential facts concerning salvation. (The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is studied analytically in connection with the results of Christ's work in the Christian's life.)

6. Ecclesiology - a consideration of the essential facts concerning the Church. (This is inserted at its proper chronological place in our PCB study of the plan of God and its outworking through the ages.)

7. Eschatology - a consideration of the essential facts concerning all in the Scriptures which was predictive at the time it was written.

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