Dogmatic Theology

William G. T. Shedd

Third Edition

Edited by

Alan W. Gomes

© 2003 by Alan W. Gomes

Third edition: 1 vol. edition. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 2003

3-volume edition: Charles Scribner’s Sons. Vols. 1-2 published in 1888 (1st ed.) and 1889 (2d ed.); vol. 3 published in 1894

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—except for brief quotations for the purpose of review or comment, without the prior permission of the publisher, P&R Publishing Company, P.O. Box 817, Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865–0817.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Shedd, William Greenough Thayer, 1820–1894.

Dogmatic theology / William G. T. Shedd.—3rd ed. / edited by Alan W. Gomes.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p.) and .

ISBN 0-87552-188-6 (hardback sewn)

1. Theology, Doctrinal. 2. Calvinism. I. Gomes, Alan W., 1955– II. Title.

BT75.3.S44 2003

230p.5—dc21

2003054847

Contents

Editor’s Acknowledgments

Editor’s Preface

A Historical and Theological Introduction to W. G. T. Shedd and His Dogmatic Theology, by Alan W. Gomes

Author’s Preface

Part 1: Theological Introduction

1. True Method in Theological Science

2. Plan, Divisions, and Subdivisions

Description of Topics

Biblical, Systematic, and Polemical Theology

3. Nature and Definition of Theological Science

Definition of Theology

Whether Theology Is a Science

Theology as an Absolute Science

Theology as a Positive Science

Part 2: Bibliology

1. Revelation and Inspiration

General Revelation

Special Revelation

Nature of Inspiration

Nature of Revelation

Infallibility of Inspiration

2. Authenticity of Scripture

3. Credibility of Scripture

Credibility of the New Testament

Theories Opposing New Testament Credibility

Limitations of New Testament Evidence for Credibility

Credibility of the Old Testament

4. Canonicity of Scripture

Part 3: Theology (Doctrine of God)

1. Nature and Definition of God

God’s Spirituality

God’s Substantiality

God’s Personality

2. Innate Idea and Knowledge of God

Evidence from Scripture for an Innate Knowledge of God

Arguments from Pagan Philosophers for an Innate Knowledge of God

Arguments against an Innate Knowledge of God

Monotheism as the Original Form of Man’s Innate Knowledge of God

Inadequacy of Natural Religion

3. Arguments for the Divine Existence

Uses of Syllogistic Arguments for the Divine Existence

Ontological Argument: Statement of the Position

Ontological Argument: Examination of Objections

Cosmological Argument

Teleological Argument

Moral Argument

Historical Argument

4. Trinity in Unity

Preliminary Considerations

Divine Unity and Trinality: An Overview

Scriptural Evidence for the Doctrine of the Trinity

Proper Use of Trinitarian Terminology

God Is One in Respect to Essence

God Is Three in Respect to Persons

Characteristics of Trinitarian Persons: Internal and External

Deity ...