What is Theology?
The author of this stuff simply meant, Qlgy nothing but Theolgy!!!!!!!!!!!!
Definition: There are various classical and contemporary definitions of theology and creative polarities inherent in theologizing. In general speak, Theology describes the study, writing, research, or speaking on the nature of gods, especially in relation to human experience. Typically[1] the concept includes the premise[2] that such study is done in a rational, philosophical manner and can also refer to specific schools of thought - for example, progressive theology, feminist theology or liberation theology.
According to Kuncheria Pathil, in his book Introduction to Theology he says, “Theology is generally understood as the discourse on God or God-talk.”
Can we talk about God? If God is available to man’s comprehensive? Such questions can also make the possibility of theology.
The term Theology has its basic root from the Greek words; Theo/Logos- θεός- λόγος =God+"words," "discourse," or "reasoning"
In Latin it is “theologia”
In French it is “théologie”
In the 4th century Plato had used the compound word “θεολογια-theologia” (Latin) to denote “discourse on God”.
Aristotle divided theoretical philosophy into mathematike, physike and theologike [discourse on the nature of the divine, “First philosophy”, which explained the whole of reality in terms of the “Absolute Principle” or “Supreme Mind”.
The Church fathers Clement of Alexandria and Origen began to use the term ‘theology’ for the Trinitarian and Christological discussions of the time, and subsequently for the interpretation of the sacred scriptures. Christian theology in its beginnings was simply the study and interpretation of Sacred Scriptures. But later with the ‘Scholastics’ and the establishment of the system and institution of ‘Universities’ theology became a specialized academic discipline along with arts, medicine and law.
In European Christian thought in the Patristic period, the Middle Ages and Enlightenment, and then the term taken up more widely.
Only since 12th century A.D. the word theology got such a connotation from the Greek philosophy to mean wisdom or reasoning, leading to the meaning of theology as a science, a rational inquiry about God.[3]
The great reformation theologian Martin Luther often uses the word “theologia” primarily as “doxology”[4]. For our stand should not be merely study or empirical[5] way of doing theology to acquire some knowledge about God rather experiencing God or worshiping God.
Branches of Theology
It seeks to discover what the biblical writers, under divine guidance, believed, described, and taught in the context of their own times. It is based first and foremost on the Bible itself, and takes the Scriptures as they are given to us to be the inspired, authoritative word of God [2Tim 3:16]. Further, biblical theology assumes that the canon was provided by the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of human authors. So the fundamental source of Biblical Theology is N.T. & O.T. Most of the evangelical theologians and[6] churches follow the Biblical theology.
Donald Hagner defines biblical theology as "that discipline which sets forth the message of the books of the Bible in their historical setting. Biblical theology is primarily a descriptive[7] discipline.
Source.
· Scott J. Hafemann, ed. Biblical Theology: Retrospect and Prospect. InterVarsity Press, 2002.
· Graeme Goldsworthy, According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible. InterVarsity Press, 1991.
· T. Desmond Alexander, et al. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology: Exploring the Unity & Diversity of Scripture. InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Historical theology integrates[8] the thoughts of other Christians throughout the centuries since the times of the Bible. Church history is of vital importance to historical theology since it provides theology the context in which it was produced and defined. Historical Theology, then, embodies both of these concepts as a way of informing theologians as to what has been believed in the past, and as to what corrections, improvements, or adherence[9] ought to be made in the present based on that information. And used both as a pedagogic tool and as a critical tool.
Areas of study within historical theology
Historical theology can be broken down into four major time periods. This is only a brief list of topics that can be studied:
The Patristic Period (c. 100-450)
Notable theologians of the Early Church Heretics The Middle Ages and the Renaissance (c. 500-1500)
The Reformation and Post-Reformation Periods (c. 1500-1750)
The Modern Period (c. 1750-Present Day)
Philosophical theology is a term used to describe the process of doing theology with the aid and support of philosophical reflection, language, and methods. Philosophical theology is sometimes viewed as a sub-category of philosophy of religion, providing ways to understand different doctrines or theological concepts through the use of philosophy. There are typically two different categories in philosophical theology: This first category uses what is called natural theology to understand Christian claims. The second appeals to philosophy to understand theological convictions derived from divine revelation.
Systematic theology is a discipline which addresses theological topics one by one (e.g. God, Sin, Humanity) and attempts to summarize all the biblical teaching on each particular subject. Sometimes called constructive theology or even dogmatic theology, the goal is to present the major themes (i.e. doctrines) of the Christian faith in an organized and ordered overview that remains faithful to the biblical witness. Systematic theology integrates biblical, historical and philosophical theology into its methodology.
General areas of systematic theology
§ Angelology - the study of the angelic beings.
§ Prolegomena - the study of methods and presuppositions before one does systematic theology (sometimes this involves the study of how God reveals himself).
Practical theology, sometimes called pastoral theology or spiritual theology, is theological reflection which proceeds from divine revelation and focuses on the church's life and its ongoing growth in Jesus Christ.[homiletics, liturgical and pastoral care].
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