Home | Teaching Series | Systematic Theology | Part 1: The Doctrine of the Word of God
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine
by Wayne Grudem
How does God speak—and how can we know we’ve truly heard Him?
Every doctrine of theology ultimately stands or falls on this foundational truth: Has God spoken? And if so, where and how? In Part 1 of Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, we begin our journey by examining the doctrine that undergirds every other doctrine—the doctrine of the Word of God.
When we open the Bible, we do not merely encounter ancient texts or religious traditions. We encounter the very words of God Himself—living, authoritative, inerrant, sufficient, and clear. Without a sure Word from God, we would be left to speculation, opinion, or man-made religion. But God, in His grace, has spoken—and His Word is trustworthy.
In this section, we explore seven essential chapters that establish the nature, trustworthiness, and role of Scripture in the life of the church and every believer:
Chapter 2: The Word of God: We begin by examining the multiple forms in which God has revealed Himself: His eternal decrees, His direct speech, His prophets, His Son, and His written Word. While God has spoken in many ways, it is His written Word—the Scriptures—that remains our enduring, public, examinable foundation for truth.
Chapter 3: The Canon of Scripture: How did the church come to recognize which books belong in the Bible? This chapter traces the providential development of the Old and New Testament canons, explains why the Apocrypha is not part of Scripture, and shows how God has preserved His Word for His people across generations.
Chapter 4: The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (1) Authority: Because Scripture is God’s own Word, it carries His full authority. To disbelieve or disobey Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God Himself. This chapter explains how Scripture testifies to its own authority, how the Holy Spirit confirms it in our hearts, and why God’s Word stands as the ultimate rule for faith and practice.
Chapter 5: The Inerrancy of Scripture: Can the Bible contain errors? The doctrine of inerrancy affirms that in its original writings, Scripture is entirely true and without error in all that it affirms. This chapter responds to common challenges to inerrancy and explains why trusting the truthfulness of Scripture is essential for Christian faith.
Chapter 6: The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (2) Clarity: Is the Bible understandable? Scripture affirms its own clarity—ordinary believers, through the Spirit’s help, can understand God’s message. This chapter highlights how God’s Word was written for the whole church, not only scholars or clergy, and provides encouragement to every believer to read and study Scripture with confidence.
Chapter 7: The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (3) Necessity: Why do we need the Bible? Scripture is necessary for knowing the gospel, for maintaining spiritual health, and for discerning God’s will. Yet while general revelation points to God’s existence and moral law, it cannot save. The Word of God remains essential for salvation and spiritual growth.
Chapter 8: The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (4) Sufficiency: Is Scripture enough? The sufficiency of Scripture means that the Bible contains everything God intends us to have for salvation, godly living, and obedience. While God may guide His people through wisdom and providence, no new revelation stands alongside Scripture as an equal authority. This doctrine protects the church from adding to or subtracting from God’s Word.
Why This Doctrine Matters
The doctrine of the Word of God is not an abstract academic exercise—it is the bedrock of our entire Christian life. If we do not have a trustworthy, sufficient, and clear Word from God, we have no sure ground for doctrine, no confidence for salvation, and no guidance for daily living. But because God has spoken, and because His Word is living and active, we can know Him, trust Him, and obey Him with confidence.
As we work through these chapters, we are invited not only to study the doctrines about Scripture but to stand in awe of the God who speaks. The God who spoke the worlds into existence has spoken to us—and we hold His very words in our hands.
Chapter 2: The Word of God | Chapter 3: The Canon of Scripture | Chapter 4: The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (1) Authority | Chapter 5: The Inerrancy of Scripture| Chapter 6: The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (2) Clarity | Chapter 7: The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (3) Necessity | Chapter 8: The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (4) Sufficiency