You have completed the first part of the course on Bible doctrine. In reality, it is just the first half of a complete course on Bible doctrine. This second course completes a study of the topics in the textbook Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie. We trust the first course was informative and challenging to you, indeed life-changing, and that you are now looking forward to completing your survey of Bible doctrine, including the study of such tremendous doctrines as the Person of Christ and salvation.

The course objectives are substantially the same as for the first course. We restate them here for your convenience. When you have completed this course, you should be able to:
1. Explain the major doctrines presented in this course.
2. Display greater submission to the authority and discipline of the Word of God in all matters pertaining to life and ministry.
3. Defend the Christian faith against several objections raised by critics.
4. Discern spiritual truths so that you may grow as a wise counselor to others.
5. Confront the teachings of many cults and explain from the Scriptures why they are in error.
6. Exhibit a sense of balance in understanding and applying scriptural truth.
7. Distinguish non-negotiable from negotiable elements among theological convictions, using as a guide the amount and clarity of evidence in Scripture and the consensus throughout church history.
8. Cite from memory the book and chapter references which relate to the doctrines discussed in this course.
9. Prepare and teach a fifteen-week “Survey of Bible Doctrine” course, using what has been learned in this course

Today among many Christians doctrine has a bad name. Too many people think of it as purely academic, only issues that people argue, and certainly impractical for the daily life. They think of the traditional arguments over how many angels can stand on the head of a pin or if God can create a rock so great he cannot lift it.
This is how many people view doctrine?intellectual, stuffy, and impractical. That is very sad because nothing could be farther from the truth. To be sure, the study of theology requires clear thinking, intellectual application, and a great deal of time and meditation. It is not a light aspect of the Christian life. That it can become purely intellectual and impractical is true. That it is inherently so is not.
Indeed, doctrine is ultimately the most practical of all disciplines in the Christian life, for it is the basis for everything we do. Maybe the average Christian does not realize it, but every time he prays, every time he makes a righteous decision, every time he goes to church, every time he does something loving, he is making practical application of doctrine.
Why does a Christian pray? Because he has learned from the Bible that God wants fellowship with us through prayer and answers our prayers according to His will. Why does a Christian have peace and joy in the midst of trials and tragedies? Because he has learned from the Bible that God is in control and has a purpose in these events and that, if the trial were to result in death, heaven and fellowship with the Lord await him. Why does a Christian go to church? Because he has learned from the Bible about corporate worship. Why does a Christian seek to do something loving? Because he has learned from the Bible that God is love and that His children should emulate that characteristic.
All these actions are based on something learned from the Bible. And that is a simple definition of doctrine, of theology?what we learn from the Bible about . . . . Whatever a Christian does in his life is either based on a teaching of the Bible or is a failure to know and apply these truths. Therefore, it becomes intensely practical to know doctrine.
As Christian leaders it is vitally important that we have a working knowledge of doctrine, or to put it more formally, of systematic theology. Many believers are struggling in their Christian lives because of a lack of clear theological teaching from the pulpit. With the knowledge gained in this course you will be able to strengthen the faith of many as you grow in your own personal walk with Christ.
This course offers an overview of the major teachings of the Bible concerning the person and work of God, the Word of God, history, angels, man, sin, and other subjects. Even though this is not a course on the evidences for the Christian faith, we will at times refer to historical and scientific evidence that supports the biblical view of the world and the truthfulness of the Scriptures. We will also be giving special attention to some of the objections that have been raised against the central teachings of Christianity.