Lecture 1: What is Theology? Flashcards
“Theology”
Definition: The study of God
Doesn’t tell us very much, slightly misleading.
The meanings of words change over time
Cannot define words strictly based on their etymology
Need to find how the term is put to use to properly define it
Theology is not:
- Discourse about God
- theology did originally refer to just the study of God
- now it is the study of the whole world, humanity, our purpose, all in relation to God
- it is the study of everything in light of God
Branches of Theology (6)
- Biblical theology
- Historical theology
- Systematic or Doctrinal Theology
- Philosophical or Analytical Theology
- Theological ethics
- Practical/Pastoral Theology
Theology is NOT:
- ‘Discourse about God’
- ‘Philosophy’
- Biblical studies
- mere academic study
- A one-time process
Theology IS
theology is the continual study and interpretation of God’s self-revelation, undertaken by followers of Christ in order to learn more about the object of our faith and the nature of the world he created, so that we can properly live out the faith that God has called us to in the varied contexts we find ourselves in
Theology is ALSO:
- the study of everything in light of God
- faith seeking understanding
The Spectrum of Theology
folk –> lay –> ministerial –> professional –> academic
Folk Theology
unreflective believing based on blind faith in a tradition or authority of some kind
Lay Theology
when Christians begin to dig into the resources of their faith in a serious attempt to examine and understand that faith
Ministerial Theology
reflective faith as practiced by trained ministers and teachers in Christian churches
Professional Theology
a vocation involving professional study and instructing ministers and lay people in the tools of theology
Academic Theology
Discourse only with other trained theologians that is often highly speculative and highly critical
