Systematic theology is the attempt to formulate a coherent philosophy which is applicable to the component parts of a given faith's system of belief. Inherent to a system of theological thought is that a method is developed, one which can be applied both broadly and particularly. While a systematic theology must take into account the sacred texts of its faith, it also looks to history, philosophy, and ethics to produce as full a view and as versatile a philosophical approach as possible.

History of systematic theology in Christianity

The attempt to set out the varied ideas of the Christian religion (and the various topics and themes of the diverse texts of the Bible) in a single, coherent and well-ordered presentation is a relatively late development. In Eastern Orthodoxy, an early example is provided by John of Damascus's 8th century Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, in which he attempts to set in order, and demonstrate the coherence of, the theology of the classic texts of the Eastern theological tradition. In the West, Peter Lombard's 12th century 'Sentences', in which he collected thematically a large series of quotations from the Church Fathers, became the basis of a medieval scholastic tradition of thematic commentary and explanation - best exemplified in Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae. A Protestant tradition of thematic, ordered exposition of the whole of Christian theology (Protestant Orthodoxy) emerged in the 16th century, with Philipp Melanchthon's Loci Communes and John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion. ... John of Damascus (Latin: Iohannes Damascenus or Johannes Damascenus also known as John Damascene, Chrysorrhoas, streaming with gold—i. ... (7th century — 8th century — 9th century — other centuries) Events The Iberian peninsula is taken by Arab and Berber Muslims, thus ending the Visigothic rule, and starting almost 8 centuries of Muslim presence there. ... Peter Lombard (c. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... Peter Lombards seminal work, on which his reputation rests. ... The (Early) Church Fathers or Fathers of the Church are the early and influential theologians and writers in the Christian Church, particularly those of the first five centuries of Christian history. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... Scholastic redirects here. ... Saint Thomas Aquinas [Thomas of Aquin, or Aquino] (c. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... Portrait of Philipp Melanchthon, by Lucas Cranach the Elder. ... John Calvin (July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564) was a French Protestant theologian during the Protestant Reformation and was a central developer of the system of Christian theology called Calvinism. ... Institutes of the Christian Religion is John Calvins seminal work on Protestant theology. ...

In the 19th century, primarily in Protestant circles, a new kind of systematic theology arose: the attempt to demonstrate that Christian doctrine formed a more tightly coherent system grounded in some core axiom or axioms. Such theologies often involved a more drastic pruning and reinterpretation of traditional belief in order to cohere with the axiom or axioms. Friedrich Schleiermacher, for instance, produced Der christliche Glaube nach den Grundsatzen der evangelischen Kirche in the 1820s, in which the core idea is the universal presence amongst humanity (sometimes more hidden, sometimes more explicit) of a feeling or awareness of 'absolute dependence'; all theological themes are reinterpreted as descriptions or expressions of modifications of this feeling. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher (November 21, 1768 - February 12, 1834) was a theologian and philosopher. ... Events and Trends Nationalistic independence movements helped reshape the world during this decade: Greece declares independence from the Ottoman Empire (1821). ...

Contemporary usage

There are three overlapping uses of the term 'systematic theology' in contemporary Christian theology.

• In evangelical circles, it is used to refer to the topical collection and exploration of the content of the Bible, in which a different perspective is provided on the Bible's message than that garnered simply by reading the biblical narratives, poems, proverbs, and letters as a story of redemption or as a manual for how to live a godly life. One advantage of this approach is that it allows one to see all that the Bible says regarding some subject (e.g. the attributes of God), and one danger is a tendency to assign technical definitions to terms based on a few passages and then read that meaning everywhere the term is used in the Bible (e.g. "justification" as Paul uses it in his letter to the Romans is different from how James uses it in his letter).
• The term can also be used to refer to theology which self-avowedly seeks to perpetuate the classical traditions of thematic exploration of theology described above - often by means of commentary upon the classics of those tradition: Damascus, Aquinas, Calvin, Melanchthon and others.
• Normally (but not exclusively) in liberal theology, the term can be used to refer to attempts to follow in Schleiermacher's footsteps, and reinterpret Christian theology in order to derive it from a core set of axioms or principles.

In all three senses, Christian systematic theology will often touch on some or all of the following topics: God, revelation, creation and Divine providence, Theodicy, Theological Anthropology, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, sacrament, Pneumatology, Christian life, Heaven, and interfaith statements on other religions. The word evangelicalism usually refers to a tendency in diverse branches of conservative Christianity. ... For other uses, see Bible (disambiguation). ... In Christian theology, justification is Gods act of making or declaring a sinner righteous before God. ... For Christian theological modernism in the Roman Catholic Church, see Modernism (Roman Catholicism). ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... For information on the last book of the New Testament see the Book of Revelation. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Origin belief. ... In theology, Divine Providence, or simply Providence, is the sovereignty, superintendence, or agency of God over events in peoples lives and throughout history. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Christology is that part of Christian theology which studies and attempts to define Jesus the Christ. ... In Christianity, salvation is arguably the most important spiritual concept, second only to the divinity of Jesus. ... In Christian theology, ecclesiology is a branch of study that deals with the doctrines pertaining to the Church itself as a community or organic entity, and with the understanding of what the church is —ie. ... A sacrament is a Christian rite that mediates divine grace—a holy [[Mystery The root meaning of the Latin word sacramentum is making sacred. One example of its use was as the term for the oath of dedication taken by Roman soldiers; but the ecclesiastical use of the word is... Pneumatology is the study of spiritual beings and phenomena, especially the interactions between humans and God. ... Heaven is an afterlife concept found in many religions or spiritual philosophies. ... The terms interfaith or interfaith dialogue refer to cooperative and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions, (ie. ...

Significant systematic theologians

• St. Augustine of Hippo, Roman Catholic
• St. Thomas Aquinas, Roman Catholic
• Donald Bloesch, Reformed
• Emil Brunner, Reformed
• John Calvin, Reformed
• James Hal Cone, Methodist
• Karl Barth, Reformed
• Robert W. Jenson, Lutheran
• Eberhard Jüngel, Lutheran
• Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen
• Hans Küng, Roman Catholic
• John MacQuarrie, Church of Scotland
• Jürgen Moltmann, Reformed
• Wolfhart Pannenberg, Lutheran
• Karl Rahner, Roman Catholic
• Rosemary Ruether, Catholic
• Friedrich Schleiermacher, Reformed
• Kathryn Tanner, Episcopal
• Paul Tillich, Lutheran
• Thomas F. Torrance, Church of Scotland
• Otto Weber, Reformed
• Rowan Williams, Anglican

St. ... Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225 - March 7, 1274) was a Catholic philosopher and theologian in the scholastic tradition, who gave birth to the Thomistic school of philosophy, which was long the primary philosophical approach of the Roman Catholic Church. ... Emil Brunner (1889-1966) A higly influential Swiss theologian, who along with Karl Barth, is associated with the movement called neo-orthodoxy or dialectical theology. ... John Calvin (July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564) was a French Protestant theologian during the Protestant Reformation and was a central developer of the system of Christian theology called Calvinism. ... James Hal Cone (August 5, 1938 - ) is an African-American Christian theologian in the Methodist tradition. ... Karl Barth (May 10, 1886–December 10, 1968) (pronounced Bart) was an influential Swiss Reformed Christian theologian. ... The Reverend Father Hans Küng (born March 19, 1928 in Sursee, Canton of Lucerne), is an eminent Swiss theologian, and a prolific author. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... Jürgen Moltmann (born April 8, 1926) is a Christian theologian. ... Wolfhart Pannenberg (born 1928) is a German Christian theologian. ... Karl Rahner in 1975 Karl Rahner, S.J., (March 5, 1904 – March 30, 1984) was one of the most influential Roman Catholic theologians of the 20th century. ... Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher (November 21, 1768 - February 12, 1834) was a theologian and philosopher. ... Paul Johannes Tillich (August 20, 1886 – October 22, 1965) was a German-American theologian and Christian existentialist philosopher. ... Thomas Forsyth Torrance (1913- ) is a 20th century Christian theologian born to Scottish missionary parents in Chengtu, Szechuan, China. ... The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Rowan Douglas Williams, DPhil, DD, FBA, (born 14 June 1950) is the 104th and current Archbishop of Canterbury, metropolitan of the province of Canterbury, Primate of All England and head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. ...

Resources

• Barth, Karl (1956-1975). Church Dogmatics. Edinburgh: T&T Clark.
• Berkhof, Hendrikus (1979). Christian Faith: An Introduction to the Study of the Faith. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
• Berkhof, Louis (1996). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
• Chafer, Lewis Sperry (1948). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Kregel
• Chemnitz, Martin (1591). Loci Theologici. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1989.
• Fruchtenbaum, Arnold (1989). Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology. Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries
• Fruchtenbaum, Arnold (1998). Messianic Christology. Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries
• Geisler, Norman L. (2002-2004). Systematic Theology (four volumes). Minneapolis: Bethany House.
• Grenz, Stanley J. (1994). Theology for the Community of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
• Grider, J. Kenneth (1994). A Wesleyan-Holiness Theology (ISBN 0-8341-1512-3)
• Grudem, Wayne (1995). Systematic Theology. Zondervan.
• Hodge, Charles (1960). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
• Jenson, Robert W. (1997-1999). Systematic Theology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Melanchthon, Philipp (1543). Loci Communes. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1992.
• Miley, John. Systematic Theology. 1892.
• Newlands, George (1994). God in Christian Perspective. Edinburgh: T&T Clark.
• Oden, Thomas C. (1987-1992). Systematic Theology (3 volumes). Peabody, MA: Prince Press.
• Pannenberg, Wolfhart (1988-1993). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
• Pieper, Francis (1917-1924). Christian Dogmatics. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House.
• Reymond, Robert L. (1998). A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith (2nd ed.). Word Publishing.
• Schleiermacher, Friedrich (1928). The Christian Faith. Edinburgh: T&T Clark.
• Thielicke, Helmut (1974-1982). The Evangelical Faith. Edinburgh: T&T Clark.
• Thiessen, Henry C. (1949). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: William B. Erdsmans Publishing Co.
• Tillich, Paul. Systematic Theology. (3 volumes).
• Van Til, Cornelius (1974). An Introduction to Systematic Theology. P & R Press.
• Watson, Richard. Theological Institutes. 1823.
• Weber, Otto. (1981-1983) Foundations of Dogmatics. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Karl Barth (May 10, 1886–December 10, 1968) (pronounced Bart) was an influential Swiss Reformed Christian theologian. ... This page may meet Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ... Lewis Sperry Chafer (27 February 1871 - 22 August 1952) was born at Rock Creek, Ohio. ... Martin Chemnitz (1522-1586) was an eminent Lutheran theologian, churchman, and confessor, born in Treuenbrietzen, Brandenburg on November 9, 1522, the day before Martin Luther had been born in 1483. ... Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum (Th. ... Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum (Th. ... Dr. Norman L. Geisler is a scholar, contributor to the field of Christian apologetics, and the author or coauthor of some sixty books defending the Christian faith. ... Stanley Grenz Stanley James Grenz (January 7, 1950 Alpene MI _ March 11, 2005) was an American Christian theologian and ethicist in the Baptist tradition. ... J. Kenneth Grider is a 20th century Christian theologian primarily associated with the followers of John Wesley who are part of the Holiness movement. ... Wayne Grudem Wayne Grudem is a Protestant theologian and author. ... Charles Hodge Charles Hodge (1797-1878) was the principal of Princeton Theological Seminary between 1851 and 1878. ... Robert W. Jenson is a leading American Lutheran theologian. ... Portrait of Philipp Melanchthon, by Lucas Cranach the Elder. ... John Miley ( 1813- 1895) was an American Christian theologian in the Methodist tradition who was one of the major Methodist theological voices of the 19th century. ... Reverend Professor George Newlands MA BD MA(Cantab) PhD DLitt FRSA George McLeod Newlands is Professor of Divinity at the University of Glasgow // Background George Newlands is widely considered Scotlands foremost liberal theologian; his importance in United Kingdom academic theology is highlighted by his appointment as Chair of the... Dr. Thomas C. Oden Thomas Clark Oden (October 21, 1931 - ) is an American Christian theologian associated with Drew University in New Jersey. ... Wolfhart Pannenberg (born 1928) is a German Christian theologian. ... Robert L. Reymond is a Christian theologian of the Protestant Reformed (Calvinist) tradition. ... Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher (November 21, 1768 - February 12, 1834) was a theologian and philosopher. ... Helmut Thielicke (born December 4, 1908 in Wuppertal; died March 5, 1986 in Hamburg) was a German theologian and the rector of the University of Hamburg from 1960 to 1978. ... Paul Johannes Tillich (August 20, 1886 – October 22, 1965) was a German-American theologian and Christian existentialist philosopher. ... Cornelius Van Til Cornelius Van Til (May 4, 1895 - April 17, 1987), born in Grootegast, the Netherlands, was a Christian philosopher, Reformed theologian, and presuppositional apologist. ... Richard Watson (1781-1833) was a British Methodist theologian who was one of the most important figures in 19th century Methodism. ...

See also

• Biblical Exegesis
• Christian apologetics
• Christian theology
• Conservative Christianity
• Constructive Theology
• Feminist Theology
• Liberal Christianity
• Liberation Theology
• Philosophical Theology
• Philosophy of Religion
• Political Theology
• Process Theology
• Queer Theology

Biblical exegesis (from the Greek ἐξηγεῖσθαι to lead out) is an extensive and critical interpretation of the Bible. ... Christian Apologetics is the field of study concerned with the systematic defense of Christianity. ... It has been suggested that Christian theological controversy be merged into this article or section. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Constructive Theology is the re-definition of what has historically been known as Systematic theology. ... Feminist theology is a movement, generally in the Western religious traditions (mostly Christianity and Judaism), to reconsider the traditions, practices, scriptures, and theologies of those religions from a feminist perspective. ... For Christian theological modernism in the Roman Catholic Church, see Modernism (Roman Catholicism). ... // Overview In essence, liberation theology explores the relationship between Christian theology (usually Roman Catholic) and political activism, particularly in areas of social justice, poverty, and human rights. ... The attempt to provide proofs or arguments for the existence of God is known as natural theology. ... Philosophy of religion is the rational study of the meaning and justification of fundamental religious claims, particularly about the nature and existence of God (or gods, or the divine). ... Process theology (also known as neoclassical theology) is a school of thought influenced by the metaphysical process philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947). ... Queer Theology is exploration of the nature of God and human-kinds relationship with God through the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people (although, as used within this field of theology, the term Queer can extend beyond LGBT people). ...

External links

• International Journal of Systematic Theology (academic, ecumenical)
• The Theology Progam(Studies in Systematic Theology featuring audio and video aids)
• Scottish Journal of Theology (academic, ecumenical)
• Resources for Christian Theology (British, Protestant)
• Faith and Theology (systematic theology weblog)
• Library of Sytematic Theology (conservative Calvinist)