What Is Theology?

1.1 What are some definitions of "theology"?

• Theology is the study of God, studying the nature and character of God Himself. (Sproul, 3)
• Augustine of Hippo understood theologia to mean "an account or explanation of the divine nature." (Augustine, City of God 8.1)
• William Ames wrote, "Theology is the doctrine of living to God...It is called doctrine, not to separate it from understanding, knowledge, wisdom, art, or prudence—for these go with every exact discipline, and most of all with theology—but to mark it as a discipline which derives not from nature and human inquiry like others, but from divine revelation and appointment." (Ames, The Marrow of Theology, 1.1.1(77))
• Theology is the authoritative knowledge and wisdom revealed in God’s Word concerning God so that we may joyfully live unto him through Jesus Christ. (Beeke & Smalley, I.57)

1.2 What are some branches of theology?^[1]

• Exegetical theology answers the question, "What does a particular part of the Bible teach?"
• Biblical theology answers the question, "How is a particular doctrine of the Bible developed in relation to redemptive history?" Biblical theology serves exegetical theology by locating each text in its proper redemptive and covenantal context rather than flattening the Bible as if it were all revealed in one day.
• Historical theology answers the question, "How have the doctrines of Christianity been identified, formulated, elaborated, defended, and applied during the history of the church?"
• Philosophical theology answers the question, "How do logic and reasoning help us develop teh doctrines taught in passages os Scripture into a coherent perspective?" Philosophical theology plays an important role in systematic theology, as long as philosophy remains a servant of God's Word, not its master.
• Systematic theology answers the question, "What does the whole Bible teach about a given topic and its relation to other topics?" Systematic theology "seeks to give a systematic presentation of all the doctrinal truths of the Christian religion." (Berkhof, Intro to Systematic Theology, 58)
• Apolegetic theology (apologetics) intends to defend Christian doctrine against outside attacks. Polemical theology (polemics) aims to attack false doctrine.
• Ethical theology answers the question, "What has God revealed in the whole Bible about the duties he requires of us?" "It is undoubtedly true that the two [systematic theology and ethics] should always be regarded and studied in the closest relation to each other. The truth revealed in the Word of God calls for a life that is in harmony with it." (Berkhof, 51)
• Practical theology (poimenics) studies what God has revealed concerning the office and work of pastors. It includes pastoral qualification, calling, preaching (homiletics), teaching, leading public worship, catechizing, counseling, evangelism, and missions.

1.3 What are the loci of systematic theology?^[2]

• Prolegomena (revelation) answers preliminary questions about theology and the doctrine of the Word of God.
• Theology Proper (God) covers the doctrines of God, including God's decree, providence, angels, and the demons.
• Anthropology (man) covers the doctrine of man, his creation in God's image, the covenant with Adam, and man's fall into sin and misery.
• Christology (Christ) covers the doctrines of Christ's person and work, including the covenant of grace and Christ's offices, incarnation, humiliation, and exaltation in order to accomplish redemption.
• Pneumatology (Spirit) covers the doctrine of the Spirit's person and work in and through redemptive history, including his empowerment of Christ and the church for missions.
• Soteriology (salvation) covers the doctrine of salvation, the application of redemption by the Holy Spirit for the conversion, growth, and glorification of God's people.
• Ecclesiology (church) covers the doctrine of the church and the means by which God applies grace to his people, such as the Word and sacraments.
• Eschatology (last things) covers the doctrine of "last things," such as death and Christ's return to judge the world and bring the kingdom of God in all its glory including heaven and hell.

1.4 What are some assumptions of systematic theology?^[3]

• God has revealed Himself not only in nature but also through the writings of the prophets and the Apostles, and that the Bible is the Word of God.
• God reveals Himself according to His own character and nature. God thinks clearly and speaks in an intelligible way that is meant to be understood.
• God's revelation in Scripture is not confusing but coherent and consistent. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8).