Christian Theology has been described as the systematic study of beliefs, practices, and institutions that articulate the Christian faith. As such, it is just as important to understand key theological concepts as it is fascinating to study them. Moreover, Theology gives traditional perspective and definitive terminology for understanding the whole of human existence or reality. It provides a clear statement about the truth of the Christian message, aiding in the interpretation of religious truths for each generation. In this way, Christian Theology is never finished; it has constant value and engagement for those who study it.
There are several types of Theology:
Historical: What/how people thought about the Divine in the historical timeline
Biblical: Evidence and examples and edicts from Scripture on Divine concepts
Philosophical: Concerned with how we think about the Divine and its interaction with the world
Modern: Concerned with contemporary ways of understanding the Divine and its relationship with the world
Practical: What any minister needs to know to function in a local church
Officially, Theology is the study of the nature of God and religious truth(s). Studying Theology is a huge task as it overlaps with so many other disciplines. In the past (and still in the present), theologians have sought to ascertain the greater patterns (categories) in the Christian faith observable in Scripture and through the contemplations and proclamations of prophets, priests, and other significant historical religious influencers of the faith.
A "Systematic” approach discriminates about what is essential (or not) to the subject matter. It is comprehensive in investigating what is to be examined, it is self-critical and open to change (or reform), and it relates its results with those from other related disciplines. Systematic theologians approach the task by dividing theology into several units of study, trying to insure that the entire scope of theological issues and thought is covered. Thus, Systematic Theology covers several traditional major ideas including Revelation, Paterology, Christology, Pneumatology, Soteriology, Angelology, Demonology, Eschatology, Hamartiology, the Canon, and so on—all of which will be addressed in some form or fashion in your readings and activities this term. In fact, although y'all may not know what each of the aforementioned terms mean, y'all have probably already thought about these studies in your Christian walks.
Some people have criticized Systematic Theology for being a reductionist, one-sided closed-system of cultural indoctrination organized around particular central theme, but such a negative perspective ignores the greater good gained from studying Theology, systematically. With the scientific scrutiny that has historically accompanied Systematic Theology, investigators have arrived at evidential and inferential understandings taught holistically (or specifically) in the Old and New Testaments. They have been able to consider complementary doctrines (or innovative ones) at the same time, in order to have a balanced view.
They have produced summaries of Christian teaching that guard against misunderstanding and false teaching. They have assessed the accuracy and importance of various doctrinal views—especially postmodern ones that are prone to bias from a radical individualism worldview. By carefully considering the key concepts of the Christian faith, systematic theologians have counteracted the chaos and subjectivism of much that is passed for “Christian tenets” today—all with the goal of better understanding who God is and what His authentic plan is for humanity.