What is Theology?

Theology and its task

• “Faith seeking understanding.” – St. Anselm
• Providing an ordered view of the faith of the Christian community.
• Articulating Christian faith in terms that are intelligible to the wider culture.
• “A continuing search for the fullness of truth of God made known in Jesus Christ.” – Daniel Migliore
• “The science of living blessedly forever.” – William Perkins
• “Theology teaches of God, is taught by God and leads to God.” – Thomas Aquinas
• “When rightly pursued, theology reminds us of who we are in light of who God is and moves us to worship Him with our whole being.” – R.C. Sproul
• “One is sometimes (not often) glad not to be a great theologian; one might so easily mistake it for being a good Christian.” – C.S. Lewis

Divisions of Theology

adapted from J.I. Packer

• Exegesis: What did the author intend to convey in this text/passage? This leads to the question, what then does it mean to us?
• Biblical Theology: What is the message of each author and of the Bible as a whole about various topics?
• Historical Theology: How have Christians understood various elements of the faith in the past?
• Systematic Theology: How should we state the total Christian faith today, topic by topic, and as a whole, in light of current interests, assumptions, questions, challenges and culture?
• Apologetics: How should we explain and defend the faith today in the face of contemporary unbelief, mistaken belief and puzzlement?
• Ethics: What are the ideals and standards of Christian behavior? How do we justify them against criticism and bring them to bear upon particular situations?
• Missiology: How should we understand and fulfill the ministering tasks on which God sends His people in this world?
• Spiritual Theology: How should we understand and practice the life of communion with God?
• Liturgical or doxological: How is God best and most truly worshiped by His people, and how may we achieve true worship in our churches?
• Practical: How should we understand and further God’s work in our particular roles, situations, professions, etc.?

Reading List

• What is Reformed Theology? Understanding the Basics by R.C. Sproul — this book will help you begin to put all the pieces together.
• Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology (DVD series) by RC Sproul
• An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical and Thematic Approach by Bruce Waltke and Charles Yu — this book looks intimidating, but it’s worth it!
• Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem (Audio Lectures or book)
• Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching by Walter Kaiser
• The Promise-Plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments by Walter Kaiser
• New Testament Development of Old Testament Themes – by FF Bruce
• Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs – JI Packer
• The Eternity of God – A W Tozer

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash