Christian theology

Christian theology practices theology from a Christian viewpoint or studies Christianity theologically. Given the overwhelming influence exercised by Christianity, especially in pre-modern Europe, Christian theology permeates much of Western culture and often reflects that culture.

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

History

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 - 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

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.

References

The Story of Christianity by Justo L. Gonzalez (1984, 1985, 1999, ISBN 1565635221)
The History of Christian Thought by Jonathan Hill (2003, ISBN 0745950930 and 0830827765)
Christian Theology: An Introduction by Alister McGrath (ISBN 0631225285)
Christian Theology Reader by Alister McGrath (ISBN 063120637X)
Systematic Theology, an ecumenical trilogy by Thomas Oden
- Volume 1: The Living God (1992, ISBN 0060663634)
- Volume 2: The Word of Life (1992, ISBN 0060663642)
- Volume 3: Life in the Spirit (1994, ISBN 0060663626)

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Sub-disciplines

History

Methodology

Schools of Christian theology

References

See also