Oden does great work. Although I think a robust biblical theology is far more important than a systematic theology and far more in the tradition of Wesleyan theology.
A robust theological tradition will hopefully engage all four main areas of theology: biblical, systematic, practical, and historical. The Wesleyan tradition has unfortunately neglected the systematic area, to our own detriment. The dogmas of systematic theology also act as guardrails for practical and historical theology. The Scriptures of biblical theology also act as the other guardrail. Together, they keep a tradition from going off the rails, as we have unfortunately seen in so much of the church.
I do agree that there is an energy between each of these aspects of theology. If you will allow me, here is a post where I explore the limits of systematics. I'd be curious to know if your thinking aligns with my own.
I am here for all of it!!! I’ve been having the systematics conversation with @Joshua Toepper for the last year.
I'd love to hear about which systematic works you have been discussing!
Oden does great work. Although I think a robust biblical theology is far more important than a systematic theology and far more in the tradition of Wesleyan theology.
A robust theological tradition will hopefully engage all four main areas of theology: biblical, systematic, practical, and historical. The Wesleyan tradition has unfortunately neglected the systematic area, to our own detriment. The dogmas of systematic theology also act as guardrails for practical and historical theology. The Scriptures of biblical theology also act as the other guardrail. Together, they keep a tradition from going off the rails, as we have unfortunately seen in so much of the church.
I do agree that there is an energy between each of these aspects of theology. If you will allow me, here is a post where I explore the limits of systematics. I'd be curious to know if your thinking aligns with my own.
https://open.substack.com/pub/jrmiller777/p/for-better-or-worse-everyone-is-a?r=2phu3d&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false