Christian theology
Christian theology is the theology – the systematic study of the divine and religion – of Christianity and Christian belief and practice.[1] It concentrates primarily upon the texts of the Old Testament and of the New Testament, as well as on Christian tradition. Christian theologians use biblical exegesis, rational analysis and argument. Theologians may undertake the study of Christian theology for a variety of reasons, such as in order to:
"Christian doctrine" redirects here. For the United States court case known by that name, see G. L. Christian & Associates v. United States.Christian theology has permeated much of non-ecclesiastical Western culture, especially in pre-modern Europe, although Christianity is a worldwide religion.
Conservative Christianity
Liberal Christianity
Progressive Christianity
Moderate Christianity
The
attributes of God
The as espoused by Trinitarian Christians
Trinity
Revelation
– the interpretation of Biblical texts
Biblical hermeneutics
The
creation
Divine providence
– accounting for an omnibenevolent God's creation and tolerance of evil
Theodicy
Philosophy
– the study of the nature and person of Christ
Christology
– the study of the Christian church
Ecclesiology
– the study of the Christian message and of missions
Missiology
theology
Sacramental
– the ultimate destiny of humankind
Eschatology
Moral theology
Christian anthropology
The
afterlife
Systematic theology as a discipline of Christian theology formulates an orderly, rational and coherent account of Christian faith and beliefs.[9] Systematic theology draws on the foundational sacred texts of Christianity, while simultaneously investigating the development of Christian doctrine throughout history, particularly through the ecumenical councils of the early church (such as the First Council of Nicea) and philosophical evolution. Inherent to a system of theological thought is the development of a method, one which can apply both broadly and particularly. Christian systematic theology will typically explore:
General revelation occurs through observation of the . Such observations can logically lead to important conclusions, such as the existence of God and some of God's attributes. General revelation is also an element of Christian apologetics.
created order
Certain specifics, such as the and the Incarnation, as revealed in the teachings of the Scriptures, can not otherwise be deduced except by special revelation.
Trinity
—That God extends His favor and gifts to human beings unconditionally as well as conditionally.
Graciousness
—That God is separate from sin and incorruptible. Noting the refrain of "Holy, holy, holy" in Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8,
Holiness
—That although God is transcendent and holy, He is also accessible and can be dynamically experienced.
Immanence
—That God's essential nature is unchangeable.
Immutability
—That God does not experience emotion or suffering (a more controversial doctrine, disputed especially by open theism).
Impassibility
—That God is without physical composition. A related concept is the spirituality of God, which is derived from Jesus' statement in John 4:24, "God is spirit."
Incorporeality
—That God is the supreme liberator. While the Mission of God is not traditionally included in this list, David Bosch has argued that "mission is not primarily an activity of the church, but an attribute of God."[28]
Mission
—That God is supremely or all-powerful.
Omnipotence
—That God is the supreme being, existing everywhere and at all times; the all-perceiving or all-conceiving foundation of reality.
Omnipresence
—That God is supremely or all-knowing.
Omniscience
Oneness—That God is without peer, also that every divine attribute is instantiated in its entirety (the qualitative of God). See also Monotheism and Divine simplicity.
infinity
—That God watches over His creation with interest and dedication. While the Providence of God usually refers to his activity in the world, it also implies his care for the universe, and is thus an attribute. A distinction is usually made between "general providence" which refers to God's continuous upholding the existence and natural order of the universe, and "special providence" which refers to God's extraordinary intervention in the life of people.[29] See also Sovereignty.
Providence
—That God is the greatest or only measure of human conduct. The righteousness of God may refer to his holiness, to his justice, or to his saving activity through Christ.
Righteousness
—That God exists beyond the natural realm of physical laws and thus is not bound by them;[30] He is also wholly Other and incomprehensible apart from general or special self-revelation.
Transcendence
—The Christian God is understood (by trinitarian Christians) to be a "threeness" of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that is fully consistent with His "oneness"; a single infinite being who is both within and beyond nature. Because the persons of the Trinity represent a personal relation even on the level of God to Himself, He is personal both in His relation toward us and in His relation toward Himself.
Triune
—That God is the Truth all human beings strive for; He is also impeccably honest. Titus 1:2 refers to "God, who does not lie."
Veracity
—That God fully comprehends human nature and the world, and will see His will accomplished in heaven and on earth. Romans 16:27 speaks about the "only wise God".
Wisdom
Some Christians, particularly and Old Earth creationists, interpret Genesis as an accurate and literal account of creation.
Young
Others may understand these to be, instead, spiritual insights more vaguely defined.
The question of whether an act must be intentional to be sinful.
A scheme for determining the seriousness of the sin.
from (expressing regret for and determining not to commit) sin, and atonement (repayment) for past deeds.
Repentance
The possibility of of sins, often through communication with a deity or intermediary; in Christianity often referred to as salvation. Crime and justice are related secular concepts.
forgiveness
Who is the Church? Is it a visible or earthly or a unified, visible society—a "church" in the sense of a specific denomination or institution, for instance? Or is it the body of all believing Christians (see invisible church) regardless of their denominational differences and disunity? What is the relationship between living Christians and departed Christians (the "cloud of witnesses")– do they (those on Earth and those in Heaven) constitute together the Church?
corporation
Must one join a church? That is, what is the role of corporate in the spiritual lives of believers? Is it in fact necessary? Can salvation be found outside of formal membership in a given faith community, and what constitutes "membership?" (Baptism? Formal acceptance of a creed? Regular participation?)
worship
What is the of the Church? Who gets to interpret the doctrines of the Church? Is the organizational structure itself, either in a single corporate body, or generally within the range of formal church structures, an independent vehicle of revelation or of God's grace? Or is the Church's authority instead dependent on and derivative of a separate and prior divine revelation external to the organization, with individual institutions being "the Church" only to the extent that they teach this message? For example, is the Bible a written part of a wider revelation entrusted to the Church as faith community, and therefore to be interpreted within that context? Or is the Bible the revelation itself, and the Church is to be defined as a group of people who claim adherence to it?
authority
What does the Church do? What are the , divine ordinances, and liturgies, in the context of the Church, and are they part of the Church's mission to preach the Gospel? What is the comparative emphasis and relationship between worship service, spiritual formation, and mission, and is the Church's role to create disciples of Christ or some other function? Is the Eucharist the defining element of the rest of the sacramental system and the Church itself, or is it secondary to the act of preaching? Is the Church to be understood as the vehicle for salvation, or the salvific presence in the world, or as a community of those already "saved?"
sacraments
How should the Church be governed? What was the mission and authority of the Apostles, and is this handed down through the sacraments today? What are the proper methods of choosing such as bishops and priests, and what is their role within the context of the Church? Is an ordained clergy necessary? * Who are the leaders of a church? Must there be a policy-making board of "leaders" within a church and what are the qualifications for this position, and by what process do these members become official, ordained "leaders"? Must leaders and clergy be "ordained," and is this possible only by those who have been ordained by others?
clergy
The approach (from the Latin praeteritus "gone by") seeks parallels between Revelation and the events of the 1st century, such as Herod's attempt to kill the infant Christ, the struggle of Christianity to survive the persecutions of Judaism and the Roman Empire, the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the desecration of the temple in the same year, and the growth of Christianity from a sect within Judaism to an independent religion.
Preterist
The method takes a broader historical approach and seeks parallels between Revelation and the major people and events of history, especially those which have had a direct effect on Israel and the Church.
Historicist
The method approaches Revelation as chiefly referring to events that have not yet come to pass but will take place at the end of this age and at the end of the world. The main focus is the return of Christ.
Futurist
The model, also known as Spiritualist or Symbolic model, approaches the images of Revelation as symbols representing larger themes and concepts, rather than actual people and events. It sees in Revelation an allegorical representation of the ongoing struggle of the forces of light and darkness, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
Idealist
Biblical law in Christianity
Eastern Orthodox – Roman Catholic theological differences
Lists of Christian theologians
Outline of theology
Demarest, Bruce A. (1997). . Crossway Books. ISBN 978-0-89107-937-8.
The Cross and Salvation: The Doctrine of Salvation
ISBN
Kang, Paul ChulHong (2006). . New York: Peter Lang. ISBN 978-0-8204-8605-5.
Justification: The Imputation of Christ's Righteousness from Reformation Theology to the American Great Awakening and the Korean Revivals
Lange, Lyle W. (2005). . Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House. ISBN 978-0-8100-1744-3.
God So Loved the World: A Study of Christian Doctrine
(1823). Martin Luther on the Bondage of the Will: Written in Answer to the Diatribe of Erasmus on Free-will. First Pub. in the Year of Our Lord 1525. Translated by Cole, Henry. London: T. Bensley.
Luther, Martin
Muller, Richard A. (2012). . Baker Books. ISBN 978-1-4412-4254-9.
Calvin and the Reformed Tradition: On the Work of Christ and the Order of Salvation
Olson, Roger E. (2009). Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.
; Watson, Philip Saville (1969). Luther and Erasmus: Free Will and Salvation. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press. ISBN 978-0-664-24158-2.
Rupp, Ernest Gordon
Stanglin, Keith D.; McCall, Thomas H. (15 November 2012). . New York: OUP USA. ISBN 978-0-19-975567-7.
Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace
See the (Tyndale Seminary) for an extensive collection of online resources for Christian Theology.
Christian Theology Reading Room
Christian Classics Ethereal Library
Jonathan Hayward, contemporary Orthodox theologian
Orthodox Church Fathers: Christian Theology Classics Search Engine
in Argumentrix (archived 31 January 2013)