Creation apologetics begins with the conviction that the physical world reflects its Maker. When we view the natural beauty of the earth, we see God’s handiwork everywhere. Every plant, every creature, and every element in creation showcases the intricate pattern, detail, and history of His handiwork. The creation reflects its Creator. However, seeing that reflection correctly depends on how we interpret and study the Word itself.
The model of studying the Word of God is called theology, and one popular form is systematic theology, which means, “any study that answers the question, ‘What does the whole Bible teach us today?’ about any given topic.” 1 Systematic theology contains multiple different facets, by order of importance; Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. Scripture is the foundational structure upon which systematic theology is built. Tradition, reason, and experience further confirm the teachings found in God’s Word, and always support Biblical teachings. As such, all four of these facets are crucial to a valid study in systematic theology, each for different reasons
Tradition serves as the collective memory of the Church. Just as creation displays continuity of God’s handiwork through natural laws, Christian tradition preserves theological continuity through centuries of faithful interpretation and study. John Wesley used tradition as a form of support in his studies, “thus while Wesley was willing to consult the great expositors of the church to assist him in his own interpretation of Scripture, it is clear he was not willing for them to become final authority in theological matters.”2 For one studying theology, especially in the Wesleyan tradition, tradition is not a rigid repetition of the part but a living conversation that keeps theology rooted in faith. As Dr. Mark Bird stated, “tradition is the living faith of the dead.”
While tradition is one additional source of support for theology, reason is another facet of the same dice. Reason is “something based in the personality of God...[that reflects]...a part of the image of God in man.” 3 Creation is full of examples, such as the laws of physics, patterns of life, and mathematics, all God’s handiwork and reflected in us as His creations. For theology, reason allows us to use logic to connect and understand the various teachings in the Bible. For example, the creation account in Genesis and John 1:1 (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.) have a connection, and that connection can be made through the use of Scripture and reason.
However, while Scripture and, one could argue, reason, are objective, the final facet of systematic theology is experience. Thomas Oden wrote that “God has left a trail of language behind a stormy path of historical activities. That language is primarily the evidence with which theology has to deal…Scripture, then…tradition and finally with…experience.” 4 Experience is the personal encounter with God that helps confirm the truth of Scripture. Through the life of a Christian, experience can serve as a witness of God’s Word and assist theological conclusions. It is the evidence of grace at work in the heart of a believer.
Creation apologetics and Wesleyan systematic theology share a common core idea: God’s truth is revealed in both Scripture and the created world. When tradition, reason, and experience accompany the study of God’s Word, they help form a framework for theological conclusions. Through this process, theology becomes not only an academic pursuit, but also as an act of worship, by seeing the Creator’s reflection in both the world He made and the Word He spoke.
Prayer for your study in God’s Word:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for revealing Yourself through the beauty of Creation and the truth of Your Word. As I continue to read Your Word and study it through the process of theology, please help me to see and follow Your steps in everything. I ask that the Holy Spirit guide me as I learn from the examples set by the believers who have gone before me and experience Your grace. Please keep me humble as I study Your Word and bold in proclaiming it to others. May my understanding of theology be not just sound, but alive. Help me to stay rooted in Your Word, to take inspiration from church tradition, kept on path by reason, and confirmed by my experiences with You. Thank you, Lord.
Amen
Footnotes:
Grudem, W. (2020) Systematic Theology, Second Edition. Zondervan Academic. Available at: https://www.perlego.com/book/1388356 (Accessed: 1 September 2026).
Coppedge, How Wesleyans Do Theology. (Accessed 1 September 2026).
Coppedge, How Wesleyans Do Theology. (Accessed 1 September 2026).
Oden, T. (2009) Classic Christianity. [edition unavailable]. HarperOne. Available at: https://www.perlego.com/book/589997 (Accessed: 2 September 2026).
