Theology
Theology is the study of religion, God, and scriptures. Typically, the concept includes the premise that such study is done in a rational, philosophical manner and can also refer to specific schools of thought. The study of theology is usually done in religious institutions where the promotion of religious beliefs is part of the mission. A theologian is an expert in the academic discipline of the philosophical study of theology.
Contents
Biblical theology
See also: Bible exegesis
Biblical exegesis is an explanation or critical interpretation of the Bible.
Within Christianity, Bible exegesis is an important aspect of theology.
Systematic theology
See also: Systematic theology
Systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, consistent and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs.
It addresses theological topics one by one (e.g. God, sin, salvation) and attempts to summarize all the biblical teaching.[3]
Practical theology
See also: Practical theology
Practical theology is a theology that studies of how to apply theological principles to everyday life. It's an academic discipline that examines religious practices and how they relate to theological theories.
It applies the Bible to the church, the world, and the individual. It includes how Christian theology engages with and influences culture and society.
Trinity
See also: Trinity
The Christian trinity consists of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, as established by the Nicene Creed of A.D. 325. The Trinity refers to the three Persons in a single unity who are the one God, all co-equal, and all with one undivided divine nature forming one God.
Although not explicit in the Bible,[4] the concept of the Trinity is embraced by the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and nearly all Protestant denominations, but denied by all Unitarians and "Oneness Pentecostals" (such as the United Pentecostal Church). The name was coined by the Church Father Tertullian (A.D. 145-220). It is based on inferences from texts emphasizing the closeness of God-the-Father and Jesus (such as Rom. 8:31-34), the role of the Holy Ghost, and especially the baptismal formula in Matthew 28:19.
Matthew 28:19: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."[5]
This doctrine is Trinitarian and is called Trinitarianism. Christians who believe the Trinitarian Christian doctrine of the Trinity are called Trinitarians, those who believe in Trinitarianism.
See also
Opposite:
External links
- What is Theology?, Houston Christian University
Videos:
Introduction to theology:
- What is theology and why is it important - video playlist, Video playlist
- Introduction to theology - video playlist by Dr. Jordon B. Peter
- Introduction to theology - video playlist by Alister McGrath
Introduction to trinitarian theology:
- Intro to Trinitarian Theology - video playlist by Dr. Jordon B. Peter
Notes
- ↑ Revelation 22:13
- ↑ The Bible is the best selling book of all time, Guinness Book of Word Record
- ↑ Systematic theology, Theopedia
- ↑ Many Christians teach that the Johannine Comma in I John 5:7 supports the view of the Trinity; however, others believe that the Comma was added by later scribes.
- ↑ The word "name" in this passage is singular. The plural word "names" is not said. Semitic peoples understood the name of something or someone was not merely a label, a sound, but an expression of the very nature of the subject as the referent. God is Trinity, but God's nature is unity, having one name, one nature.
