During Andrew Fuller’s ministry, some critics of orthodoxy rejected the use of systematic theology, alleging that it stifled freedom and liberty. Yet Fuller contended systematic theology was a model of theology firmly rooted in God’s revelation in Scripture.[1]
In contrast to the trends of his day, Fuller preached a sermon before the Baptist Association meeting at St. Albans on June 1, 1796, in which he defended the necessity of systematic theology. He spoke of how the popular sentiments of the day viewed systematic theology as “the grand obstruction to free inquiry.”[2]
However, he countered such sentiments by showing that every discipline possesses a form of systematic organization and that religion should be treated no differently. Fuller proclaimed, “God, in all his works, has proceeded on system; there is beautiful connexion and harmony in every thing which he has wrought.”[3] He drew attention to the fact that it was natural for a reader of the Bible to organize passages in a coherent and logical way.
Not only is it natural, according to Fuller, but systematic theology is found within the Bible itself. He considered the usage of “first principles” in Hebrews and the language of “proportion of faith” as terms indicating that divine truth was organized in a systematic way.[4] As Paul Brewster summarizes Fuller’s method, Fuller desired a theological system that humbly submitted to the Scriptures in all points.[5]
While Fuller placed a premium on the authority of Scripture, he was no “mere biblicist” who rejected the role of creeds and confessions. [6] Fuller noted that some held that because no formal creed was found in the Bible, then creeds and confessions of faith should be rejected. Fuller repudiated this notion, saying that he did not “conceive that such an argument can hence be fairly derived” from Scripture.[7]
In another work, Fuller forcefully articulated the importance and validity of creedal subscription. He wrote:
The man who has no creed has no belief; which is the same thing as being an unbeliever; and he whose belief is not formed into a system has only a few loose, unconnected thoughts, without entering into the harmony and glory of the gospel. Every well-informed and consistent believer, therefore, must have a creed—a system which he supposes to contain the leading principles of Divine revelation.[8]
Fuller went on to state that the articles of faith are binding upon a community of believers and were subject to revision according to the standard of Scripture. Finally, Fuller maintained that creeds should never surpass the authority of the Scriptures; however, when creeds were a voluntary expression of what a church believed, they were to be honored and subscription to them appropriate.[9] In this way, Fuller demonstrated a balanced theological method that was rooted in the biblical text, but also took into account creeds and confessions of the Church.
[1] Brewster, Andrew Fuller: Model Pastor-Theologian, 39–40.
[2] Andrew Fuller, “The Nature and Importance of an Intimate Knowledge of Divine Truth,” (The Complete Works of the Rev. Andrew Fuller, ed. Joseph Belcher (1845 ed.; repr. Harrisonburg, Virginia: Sprinkle Publications, 1988), 1: 160). This standard collection of Fuller’s works will be henceforth referred to as Works of the Rev. Andrew Fuller.
[3] Fuller, “The Nature and Importance of an Intimate Knowledge of Divine Truth,” 1:165.
[4] Fuller, “The Nature and Importance of an Intimate Knowledge of Divine Truth,” 1:165–66.
[5] Brewster, Andrew Fuller: Model Pastor-Theologian, 40.
[6] D.R. Riker defines biblicism as “the rejection of everything that is not explicitly stated in the Bible, and the concomitant dismissal of all non-biblical witnesses (Fathers, creeds, Medieval doctors, councils, etc.).” D.R. Riker, A Catholic Reformed Theologian: Federalism and Baptism in the Thought of Benjamin Keach, 1640-1704, (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock,) 4, fn 17. Some use the term “biblicism” or “biblicist” in a more positive manner in describing someone with a robust commitment to the authority of Scripture.
[7] Fuller, “The Manner in which Divine Truth is Communicated in the Holy Scriptures,” in Works of the Rev. Andrew Fuller, 3:537–38.
[8] Fuller, “Creeds and Subscriptions,” in Works of the Rev. Andrew Fuller, 3:449.
[9] Fuller, “Creeds and Subscriptions,” 3:450–51.