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Systematic Theology
Eternity to Eternity. Systematic Theology considers major concepts of the Christian Faith, through seven major divisions, organized in a logical sequence: God, Man. Sin, Christ, Salvation, Church, and the Future. Important concepts flow from Eternity in the Past to Eternity in the Future.
Throughout history, Theology has been known as the “Queen of the Sciences.” Systematic Theology has been recognized as the “Queen’s Crown.” Each concept becomes a sparkling jewel radiating from the Queen’s Crown.
Translated into many languages, this book is in every major country of the world. It is widely used as a textbook in colleges and local church study groups as well as by countless interested individuals.
Throughout history, Theology has been known as the “Queen of the Sciences.” Systematic Theology has been recognized as the “Queen’s Crown.” Each concept becomes a sparkling jewel radiating from the Queen’s Crown.
Translated into many languages, this book is in every major country of the world. It is widely used as a textbook in colleges and local church study groups as well as by countless interested individuals.
589 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
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July 26, 2024
A FOUNDATIONAL THEOLOGY FOR A DENOMINATION
(NOTE: This book is published by the Church of God General Conference, which is NONTRINITARIAN in its theology; they view Jesus Christ as having come into existence beginning with his miraculous conception in Mary's womb, for example. They also accept "conditional immortality," similar to 7th Day Adventism.)
Pastor Alva G. Huffer had been president of Oregon Bible College from 1968-1975; this book was first published in 1960, and had been circulated in mimeographed form prior to that. He explained in the Preface, "Written originally for students in theological schools, this book is intended also for any person who desires to study the teachings of God's Word in an orderly manner... In this book, the author ... (has) sought merely ... to assemble the tools, and to inspire Bible students to go forth in a lifetime adventure of excavating the riches of God's Word."
He asserts, "Trinitarianism is not a Bible doctrine. This theory is neither mentioned nor taught in the Bible. The words 'trinity' and 'triune' were never used by writers of the Scriptures." (Pg. 64) He argues, "Jesus is not God because there is only one person who is God. This one person has been identified as the Father." (Pg. 82) He summarizes, "Jesus ... is not part of a trinity. Jesus is the Son of God." (Pg. 89) Later, he adds, "Jesus is divine, but He is not the Deity. He is OF God, but He is not God Himself." (Pg. 250)
He suggests, "The future destruction of the wicked is not inconsistent with God's love... In fact, it might be an evidence of love that God will not permit men in a sinful condition to live for eternity." (Pg. 110) He adds, "According to the Bible, man has no immortal, immaterial nature. 'Spirit' refers to man's breath of life, and 'soul' refers to man himself and the life he has." (Pg. 146) He states, "The Bible teaching is that the present death is only temporary. Christians will be resurrected to immortality and endless life at Christ's return. Non-Christians will be resurrected in the last resurrection to judgment. Sinners will be destroyed in the second death, which will be permanent." (Pg. 148) He adds, "Christians are not rewarded as soon as they die... Resurrection, not death, is the believer's hope." (Pg. 158)
He notes that "The Bible mentions 'everlasting punishment' (Mt. 25:46), but not 'everlasting punishing.'" (Pg. 160) He explains, "The wicked will be destroyed in the lake of fire... The fire is called 'everlasting' and 'unquenchable' because it cannot be put out until its work of destruction is completed. The wicked may experience various degrees of suffering while dying the final death in the lake of fire, but all the wicked will be totally destroyed." (Pg. 165)
The Holy Spirit is "the impersonal power of God through which He performs his works." (Pg. 250) He adds, "The Holy Spirit is the power of God. The terms 'power' and 'spirit' can be used interchangeably." (Pg. 313)
Although more than 60 years old, this book is still being used in churches and ministries today.
(NOTE: This book is published by the Church of God General Conference, which is NONTRINITARIAN in its theology; they view Jesus Christ as having come into existence beginning with his miraculous conception in Mary's womb, for example. They also accept "conditional immortality," similar to 7th Day Adventism.)
Pastor Alva G. Huffer had been president of Oregon Bible College from 1968-1975; this book was first published in 1960, and had been circulated in mimeographed form prior to that. He explained in the Preface, "Written originally for students in theological schools, this book is intended also for any person who desires to study the teachings of God's Word in an orderly manner... In this book, the author ... (has) sought merely ... to assemble the tools, and to inspire Bible students to go forth in a lifetime adventure of excavating the riches of God's Word."
He asserts, "Trinitarianism is not a Bible doctrine. This theory is neither mentioned nor taught in the Bible. The words 'trinity' and 'triune' were never used by writers of the Scriptures." (Pg. 64) He argues, "Jesus is not God because there is only one person who is God. This one person has been identified as the Father." (Pg. 82) He summarizes, "Jesus ... is not part of a trinity. Jesus is the Son of God." (Pg. 89) Later, he adds, "Jesus is divine, but He is not the Deity. He is OF God, but He is not God Himself." (Pg. 250)
He suggests, "The future destruction of the wicked is not inconsistent with God's love... In fact, it might be an evidence of love that God will not permit men in a sinful condition to live for eternity." (Pg. 110) He adds, "According to the Bible, man has no immortal, immaterial nature. 'Spirit' refers to man's breath of life, and 'soul' refers to man himself and the life he has." (Pg. 146) He states, "The Bible teaching is that the present death is only temporary. Christians will be resurrected to immortality and endless life at Christ's return. Non-Christians will be resurrected in the last resurrection to judgment. Sinners will be destroyed in the second death, which will be permanent." (Pg. 148) He adds, "Christians are not rewarded as soon as they die... Resurrection, not death, is the believer's hope." (Pg. 158)
He notes that "The Bible mentions 'everlasting punishment' (Mt. 25:46), but not 'everlasting punishing.'" (Pg. 160) He explains, "The wicked will be destroyed in the lake of fire... The fire is called 'everlasting' and 'unquenchable' because it cannot be put out until its work of destruction is completed. The wicked may experience various degrees of suffering while dying the final death in the lake of fire, but all the wicked will be totally destroyed." (Pg. 165)
The Holy Spirit is "the impersonal power of God through which He performs his works." (Pg. 250) He adds, "The Holy Spirit is the power of God. The terms 'power' and 'spirit' can be used interchangeably." (Pg. 313)
Although more than 60 years old, this book is still being used in churches and ministries today.
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