Christian theology
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| Christian theology is critical reflection about God, about human existence, about the nature of the universe and about faith itself in the light of the revelation of God recorded in Scripture and particularly embodied in Jesus Christ, who is for the Christian community the final revelation, that is, the definitive revelation which is the criteria of all other revelations."<ref>Leith, p. 91</ref> - John H. Leith |
Given the overwhelming influence exercised by Christianity, especially in pre-modern Europe, Christian theology permeates much of Western culture and often reflects that culture.
Contents |
[edit] Sub-disciplines
Sub-disciplines of Christian theology include:
- Angelology - the study of created spirit beings, including angels, demons, and Satan
- Anthropology - the study of humanity, especially as it relates to the divine
- Bibliology - the study of the Bible in itself, and of its inspiration
- Christology - the study of Christ, of his nature(s), and of the relationship between the divine and human in Christ Jesus
- Ecclesiology - the study of the Christian Church, including her institutional structure, her sacraments and practices (especially the worship of God)
- Eschatology - the study of the last things, last days or end times
- Hamartiology - the study of sin
- Pneumatology - the study of the Holy Spirit
- Soteriology - the study of salvation
- Theodicy - the study of the nature of evil
- Theology proper - the study of God
- Law and Gospel - the study of the relationship between Divine Law and Divine Grace
[edit] History
See also History of theology
The history of Christian theology intertwines with Church history and covers important developments in philosophy and in the history of ideas. Specific issues such as heresy, Arianism, and the Protestant Reformation are of particular importance.
[edit] Methodology
There are several methods to the study of theology. They are, in no particular order:
- Biblical Theology - studying theology as it is presented and develops through the Bible by focusing on progressive revelation.
- Systematic theology - studying theology by topic.
- Constructive Theology - generally another name for Systematic Theology; also specifically a Postmodernist approach to Systematic theology, applying (among other things) Feminist theory, Queer theory, Deconstructionism, and Hermeneutics to theological topics.
- Historical theology - studying theology as it has developed (and is developing) in history.
- Dogmatic theology - studying theology (or dogma) as it developed in different church denominations.
- Pragmatic or practical theology - studying theology as it relates to everyday living and service to God, including serving as a religious minister.
- Natural theology - basing theology on what is observable in the universe and nature, and on reason and experience, rather than revelation.
- Apologetics - studying Christian theology as it compares to other worldviews in order to give a defense of faith and to challenge others' beliefs.
- Narrative theology - studying a narrative presentation of the faith rather than dogmatic development.
- Biblical hermeneutics - studying the Bible according to different sets of prescribed rules or principles of interpretations (also closely related to exegesis).
- Spiritual theology - studying theology as a means to orthopraxy: Scripture and tradition are both used as guides for spiritual growth and discipline
[edit] Schools of Christian theology
Amongst the schools mentioned here some concern only one of the subdisciplines mentioned above and others concern several of the subdisciplines mentioned above.
- Anarchism
- Anglicanism, see also Anglican doctrine
- Arminianism
- Baptist
- Black theology
- Calvinism (aka Reformed theology)
- Charismaticism
- Covenant Theology (aka Federalism)
- Dispensationalism
- Evangelicalism
- Feminist theology
- Fundamentalism
- Liberalism
- Liberation theology
- Lutheranism
- Methodism
- Neo-orthodoxy
- New Covenant Theology
- Orthodox Christianity
- Paleo-Orthodoxy
- Pentecostalism
- Personalism
- Process theology
- Quakerism
- Restorationism
- Roman Catholicism
- Thomism
- Unification Theology
[edit] Notes
<references/>
Appiah-Kubi,K and Torres ,S,eds. African Theology en Route,Orbis Books,1979 Bonino,J.M.Doing theology in a Revolutionary situation ,Philadelphia:Fotress Press,1975. Elwood,D.J.,ed.Asian Christian Theology ;Emerging Themes.Philadelphia;Westminster Press,1979 Koyanaama ,K. Waterbuffalo theology,Orbis books ,1974 Miranda,J.Being and the Messiah.Orbis Books,1974. M00re,B.,ed.The Challenge of Black theology in South aAfrica.Atlanta;John Knox Press,1974. Muzorewa,H,African Theology ;Its Origin and Development;Orbis Books,1984. Sobrino,J.Christology on the Crossroads.Orbis Books,1978wilmore,g.s. Andcone,J.H.,eds.Black Theology;A Documentary History,1966.1979.Orbis Books,1979 Special recomemeded: 1. Thomas Aquninus , City of God 2. Dante Devine Comedy 3. St Augustin Books 4. Chaucer Canterbury Tells 5. Aristotle Books 6. Thomas a Campis Books 7. Neo-Platonism Books
[edit] References
- Introduction to the Reformed Tradition by John H. Leith (1978). ISBN 0-8042-0479-9)
- The Story of Christianity by Justo L. Gonzalez (1984, 1985, 1999). ISBN 1-56563-522-1)
- The History of Christian Thought by Jonathan Hill (2003). ISBN 0-7459-5093-0 and 0830827765
- Christian Theology: An Introduction by Alister McGrath. ISBN 0-631-22528-5
- Christian Theology Reader by Alister McGrath. ISBN 0-631-20637-X
- The Foundations of New Testament Christology by Reginald H. Fuller (1965). ISBN 0-684-15532-X
- Systematic Theology, an ecumenical trilogy by Thomas Oden
- Volume 1: The Living God (1992). ISBN 0-06-066363-4
- Volume 2: The Word of Life (1992). ISBN 0-06-066364-2
- Volume 3: Life in the Spirit (1994). ISBN 0-06-066362-6
[edit] See also
- Christian anarchism
- Christian ecumenism
- Christian worship
- List of Christian theologians
- List of Methodist theologians
- Theology
- Wesleyan Quadrilateralbg:Християнска теология
de:Christliche Theologie fr:Théologie chrétienne nn:kristen teologi no:Kristen teologi lb:Chrëschtlech Theologie pt:Teologia cristã fi:Kristillinen teologia tr:Hristiyan teolojisi
