1. It was my great privilege to have studied under J. I. Packer at Regent College many decades ago. Anyone who has studied under him, or read his works frequently will recognize this article's indebtedness to his influence.
2. Creeds, Councils & Christ (Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1984), 15-16. Bray further notes that while "[h]olding unorthodox views should not invite persecution, but neither should it be tolerated as a valid option within the Christian fellowship" (33).
3. Traditionally 'systematic theology' organizes itself under seven basic topics: God, Man, Christ, The Holy Spirit, The Church, Last Things, & Revelation.