SIMMONS- SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY CONTENTS A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine BY Thomas Paul Simmons TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page Forward by Brother Chris Burke Introduction by Roy Mason INDEX OF SUBJECTS INDEX OF AUTHORS Chapter 1 The Existence of God Chapter 2 The Bible, a Revelation from God Chapter 3 The Inspiration of the Bible Chapter 4 Objections to Verbal Inspiration Chapter 5 The Nature and Attributes of God Chapter 6 The Will of God Chapter 7 The Doctrine of the Trinity Chapter 8 The Lord Jesus Christ Chapter 9 The Holy Spirit Chapter 10 The Doctrine of Angels http://www.homestead.com/cbclibrary/files/Simmons/Simmonscontents.htm (1 of 3) [17/08/2004 10:15:35 a.m.] SIMMONS- SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY CONTENTS Chapter 11 Satan, His Origin, Work, and Destiny Chapter 12 God's Relation to the Universe Chapter 13 The Creation of Man Chapter 14 The Essential Elements of Human Nature Chapter 15 The Moral Nature of Man Chapter 16 The Original State and Fall of Man Chapter 17 The Doctrine of Sin Chapter 18 Human Responsibility Chapter 19 The Free Agency of Man Chapter 20 The Doctrine of Election Chapter 21 The Doctrine of The Atonement Chapter 22 The Outward and Inward Calls Chapter 23 The New Birth Chapter 24 The Doctrine of Conversion Chapter 25 Repentance and Faith Chapter 26 The Doctrine of Justification Chapter 27 The Doctrine of Sanctification Chapter 28 The Three Tenses of Salvation Chapter 29 The Perseverance and Preservation of the Saved Chapter 30 The Doctrine of the Church Chapter 31 The Doctrine of Baptism Chapter 32 The Lord's Supper Chapter 33 The Office of Bishop Chapter 34 The Deaconship Chapter 35 The Place of Women in the Church Chapter 36 The Present State of the Dead Chapter 37 The Second Coming of Christ Chapter 38 The Two Phases of Christ's Coming Chapter 39 The Great Tribulation Period Chapter 40 The Man of Sin Chapter 41 The Battle of Armageddon http://www.homestead.com/cbclibrary/files/Simmons/Simmonscontents.htm (2 of 3) [17/08/2004 10:15:35 a.m.] SIMMONS- SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY CONTENTS Chapter 42 The Millennium Chapter 43 The Final States of the Righteous and of the Wicked http://www.homestead.com/cbclibrary/files/Simmons/Simmonscontents.htm (3 of 3) [17/08/2004 10:15:35 a.m.] A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF A Systematic Study Of Bible Doctrine A LOGICAL ARRANGEMENT AND A DILIGENT TREATMENT OF THE TEACHINGS OF GOD'S HOLY WORD Systematic Calvanistic Baptistic Premillennial By THOMAS PAUL SIMMONS Converted to Electronic Format by Jessie Burke and Chris Burke Sr. (Return to Contents) http://www.homestead.com/cbclibrary/files/Simmons/SimmonsTitlePage.htm [17/08/2004 10:16:02 a.m.] FORWARD FORWARD By Brother Chris Burke (Return to Contents) Brother Simmons went home to be with the Lord before I was ever brought to know the Lord as my Savior. His book on systematic theology, however, has been a great source of spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to me over the years of my Christian life. Although we don't agree with all of his theological views*, Brother Simmons was a scholarly man who put sound spiritual, scientific, and rational substance behind his arguments. I recommend this book to all of God's people- to read it and study it methodically and thoroughly. If we will do this, and prayerfully receive these Biblical truths into our hearts and minds by the Holy Spirit, we will be properly equipped for the battle of serving the Lord in a sinful, spiritually liberal and degenerate age. This book is once again available in hard copy from the Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church of Chesapeake, Ohio. Please email us to find out how you can obtain a copy. May the Lord bless you with this electronic version. We linked the subject index to the corresponding references in the book for easy searching. You may have to read down the page to find the referenced material, or scroll down to read the entire discussion. http://www.homestead.com/cbclibrary/files/Simmons/SimmonsFORWARD.htm (1 of 4) [17/08/2004 10:16:04 a.m.] FORWARD You also can use your web browser's FIND feature to do word or phrase searches in each chapter. We apologize for any errors that may have occurred in the process of converting this book to electronic format. You will also notice that the original formatting of the text (fonts, font size changes, italics, paragraph indentions, etc.) was not retained in this version. We do not believe that this will be a problem, however, and hopefully our larger font will make reading even easier. May our Lord richly bless you in your service to Him! *Some of the theological views where we differ from Brother Simmons are as follows: The "gap" theory (i.e. a time lapse between Gen. 1:1 and 1:2). We believe that the initial creation of the material universe in Genesis 1:1 was part of "day one" of creation week. Brother Simmons, however, is very strong and informative on all other aspects of creation, and does not insist on the "gap theory" view. Dichotomy view of man's nature. Brother Simmons gives a strong argument for the dichotomy view, however we still hold that man is a three-fold being; consisting of body, soul and spirit. A good explanation of the Trichotomous view is found in Henry Morris's book entitled "The Biblical Basis for Modern Science", chapter 14 (In The Image of God), pages 412-413. http://www.homestead.com/cbclibrary/files/Simmons/SimmonsFORWARD.htm (2 of 4) [17/08/2004 10:16:04 a.m.] FORWARD Free Agency. Although there may be some merit to the concept of free agency, we believe Brother Simmons carries his views further than what is theologically warranted. He does not clearly account for outside influences such as demon possession or Satanic suppression, which coerce and even captivate the souls of the lost. Practically we know that men are influenced and coerced to act, think, and respond contrary to their wills (or "ultimate choice" or "immanent preference") by outside forces. Furthermore, we believe that God is still "just" in condemning sinners without the necessity for free agency. Brother Simmons' strong views on the sovereignty of God in salvation, however, are not affected by his strong views on free agency. Brother Simmons was not Arminian or freewill in his theology (as men today define freewill), which some might mistakenly conclude from his view on free agency. The "living creatures" of Ezekiel and Revelation. Brother Simmons believed that these were figurative and symbolic, whereas we believe these to be literal angelic beings. The American Standard Version of the Bible. Brother Simons used this version along with the King James Version for Scripture references in this book. We do not use, nor do we recommend the use of any Bible other than the King James (Authorized) Version. End time events. Over-all we strongly agree with Brother Simmons' views on eschatology. There are some minor aspects of http://www.homestead.com/cbclibrary/files/Simmons/SimmonsFORWARD.htm (3 of 4) [17/08/2004 10:16:04 a.m.] FORWARD these end time events upon which we differ, but these details are not significant enough to name individually here. ***************************************************** These things (and perhaps a few others we fail to recall) in which we differ with Brother Simmons, probably do not amount to one percent of the content of this book. These should not discourage anyone from reading and being blessed by the other ninety-nine per cent of the great teachings contained herein. (Return to Contents) http://www.homestead.com/cbclibrary/files/Simmons/SimmonsFORWARD.htm (4 of 4) [17/08/2004 10:16:04 a.m.] Introduction Introduction (Return to Contents) I count it a distinct honor to be asked to write the introduction for a new edition of this splendid book. From the time it was first issued some years ago, I have always considered it the best book of my acquaintance in the field of systematic theology. During my seminary days I was under the necessity of studying several text books on systematic theology, and since that time I have studied and read many volumes along that line, but none of these have been as satisfactory as this volume. There are several reasons for my making this statement. 1. So many texts along this line CONTAIN A MIXTURE OF THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY. This book deals with theology and leaves out the philophizing. 2. This volume while of satisfactory size, covers much more territory than other books far more bulky. The reason for this is the fact that the author without superfluous words delves immediately into his subject. He acquaints the reader with sufficient Scripture to prove each point. 3. 1 prefer this book because THE AUTHOR IS WHOLLY UNINFLUENCED BY MODERN THEOLOGICAL TRENDS. He believes that if God says something that settles it, hence to him the field of theology is not to be compared to a beach that is constantly being changed by erratic tides and shifting winds. 4. I find this book most satisfactory BECAUSE IT TEACHES THE DOCTRINES THAT HAVE BECOME UNPOPULAR because of the changing times and the doctrinal looseness that characterizes whole http://www.homestead.com/cbclibrary/files/Simmons/Simmonsintro.htm (1 of 3) [17/08/2004 10:16:05 a.m.] Introduction denominations of this day. I recall a large and attractive volume published some years ago by a very gifted and popular theologian. The author seemed unwilling to commit himself concerning some of the doctrines that are of a controversial nature. He contented himself with a middle-of-the-road position, seeking to state the various views pro and con, without revealing his own position. You will not find such theological cowardice on the part of the author of this book. Moreover, if you reverence the Scriptures, you will probably end up by agreeing with him, whether you started out to do so or not. 5. One fine thing about this book is the fact that IT IS ADAPTED TO THE NEEDS OF BOTH THE THEOLOGIAN AND THE AVERAGE READER. Many times in talking with a young minister, I have urged that he procure a copy of this book and read it carefully. I knew that if he did it, he would get started out on the right road. When laymen have asked if I could recommend a book that would give them a good grasp of Bible doctrine, I have recommended this book, and I have never had such persons to express disappointment. 6. Through the years I have found this book A VALUABLE REFERENCE WORK. Often in writing articles I have had need to refresh my memory along some doctrinal line. I turned to this volume because I knew that I would in brief compass find the information I sought. 7. This book is not only very suitable for classroom study in college, Bible Institutes and the like, IT WOULD REVOLUTIONIZE THE DOCTRINAL BELIEFS OF THE AVERAGE CHURCH if it were used by the pastor as the basis for a series of doctrinal messages, or for instructional classes in Bible doctrine. As I have used Brother Simmons' book through the years I have found myself more nearly in accord with its doctrinal teachings than with any book on systematic theology that I have known. One thing that has enhanced the http://www.homestead.com/cbclibrary/files/Simmons/Simmonsintro.htm (2 of 3) [17/08/2004 10:16:05 a.m.]