In this series John and Dylan will look at the Dutch Theologian Herman Bavinck's writings and discuss how Bavinck can help us to think more clearly and biblically about theology. In this episode we talk about Dogma: what it is, what is its authority, and who is dogmatic. Those who oppose dogma do not oppose dogma itself but rather they simply oppose dogmas they do not agree with. The question is not are you dogmatic but rather is your dogma consistent with God's revelation. Episode Outline:
I. What is Dogma?
A. Definition
B. Authority
II. Dogmatic Responsibility of the Church
A. Recognizing and Confessing Dogma- Smoke but not the fire
B. The Pillar and Buttress of Truth- recognize, explain, preserve, and defend
C. Theologian and Student of Creeds
III. The Necessity of Dogma
A. Dogma is inescapable
B. A Non-Dogmatic Christian is an illusion
C. Unbelief is dogmatic
IV. Application
A. Rightly Situating Divine Authority and Church Confessions
B. The Church’s Ongoing Pursuit of Dogmatic Fidelity
C. Everyone’s a Theologian
