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Classification of Theology in Relation to Focus (or) Method 

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Dr. Alexander Kurian

 

     1. Biblical Theology- Biblical theology is Bible based theology. It is the organization of Scripture thematically. It expounds Scripture and organizes theological teachings in the Bible according to prominent Bible themes. Thus the theological materials taken from the books of the Old and the New Testament are presented systematically through proper biblical exegesis of all pertinent texts. Biblical theology has two major divisions: Old Testament theology and New Testament theology.

 

     2. Historical Theology- Historical theology is also known as the history of Christian doctrine. It deals with the exposition of Christian doctrines according to their formulation and defense during the history of Christianity. It investigates how theology has developed from the apostolic era to the present. It is basically a study of the Church’s past theology taking into consideration the theological conclusions reached by theologians of the prior generations.

 

     3. Systematic Theology- Systematic theology is the orderly exposition and systematic presentation of the doctrines of Christianity. It correlates biblical revelation as a whole and incorporates into its system all the truths of God from various sources; but primarily from the Scriptures. It is a practical discipline, not abstract or academic as it is often misrepresented today. It teaches us what we should believe and how we should behave. The organizing and systematization of all that God has revealed is for the purpose of rightly knowing Him and living unto Him.

     “To summarize: Theology is the discovery, systematizing and presentation of the truths about God. Historical theology accomplishes this by focusing on what others throughout history have said about these truths. Biblical theology does this by surveying the progressive revelation of God’s truth. Systematic theology presents the total structure” (Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, 15).

 

     4. Practical (Pastoral) Theology- Practical theology seeks to apply to practical life and Christian ministry the doctrines contributed by theology (including worship, evangelism, missions, Christian education, preaching, pastoral care, church administration, etc.). It interprets the ministries of the church in relation to practical areas of life and the role of pastoral leaders in meeting the needs in these areas. This is done by close interaction with biblical, historical and systematic theologies. Jay Adam’s masterful work Shepherding God’s Flock (Ministry Resources Library, 1974) which is a handbook on pastoral ministry, counseling and leadership is a good example of practical theology. The biblical emphasis clearly shows that the “practical” is based upon and grows out of and is conditioned by the “theological.” This is a notable feature in Paul’s letters. He combines doctrine with duty, creed with conduct, and belief with behavior.

 

     5. Exegetical Theology- A sound theological method takes into consideration the process of biblical exegesis. Exegesis is the process of seeking to determine the correct meaning of the biblical text (or the author’s intention behind the text) by interpreting the Bible verse by verse. It aims to explain particular passages in Scripture. Exegetical theology is done through the study of biblical languages, hermeneutics and the text itself to derive systematic theology.

“All biblical theology is systematic in nature; all systematic theology is biblical in content; and both biblical and systematic theology are exegetical in the interpretive process…….

 

To use a construction metaphor,

• exegetical theology supplies the building material for the foundation and structure;

• biblical theology provides the foundational support for the structure; and

• systematic theology serves as the structure built on the foundation.”

 

               (MacArthur & Mayhue, Biblical Doctrine, 37-38).