---
title: 'The Idea of Christian Theology as a System: An Inaugural Address'
type: pdf
hasMedia: true
requiresPurchase: false
authors:
- 'Henry Boynton Smith'
- 'Jonathan French Stearns'
date: 1855-01-01
collection: 'Archives'
subcollection: '19th century'
topics:
- 'Theological Method'
- 'Philosophy (General)'
scriptures:
- 'Hebrews 13'
- 'Romans 12'
- 'Colossians 2'
url: https://confessional.org/archives/19th-century/smith-stearns-1855-the-idea-of-christian-theology-as-a-system-an-inaugural-address
---

# The Idea of Christian Theology as a System: An Inaugural Address

An 1855 inaugural charge advocating a systematic theology that holds immutable truths while engaging contemporary philosophy; seminary training must form Christian thinkers to defend and renew the age.

[Download](https://media.confessional.org/archives/smith-stearns-1855-the-idea-of-christian-theology-as-a-system-an-inaugural-address.pdf)