The Branches and Sources

of Theology

The Branches of TheologyThe Branches of Theology

1. Exegetical Theology• Greek ex = out and hegeomai =

to lead• Exegesis is a “drawing out” of a

text’s meaning, rather than reading a meaning into it.

• Exegetical theology involves studying the grammar and syntax of the biblical languages.

The Branches of TheologyThe Branches of Theology

• The study of the theological themes of particular portions of the Bible.

• Descriptive: seeks to understand the biblical theology in its own context.

• Normative: seeks to apply the original meaning to us today.

2. Biblical Theology

The Branches of TheologyThe Branches of Theology

• The collection of all the passages of the Bible that address particular topics.

• Asks the question, “What does the Bible say about X?”

• Though systematic in its approach, it is not the same as “Systematic Theology.”

Various Topics

3. Bible Doctrine

The Branches of TheologyThe Branches of Theology

4. Historical Theology

• The study of the development of doctrine throughout history.

• Can be divided into two types of study: diachronic and synchronic.

The Branches of TheologyThe Branches of Theology

4. Historical TheologyDiachronic:

Ancient Christology

Medieval Christology

Modern Christology

Synchronic:

Doctrines of the Ancient Church

Doctrines of the Medieval Church

Doctrines of the Modern Church

The Branches of TheologyThe Branches of Theology

5. Dogmatic Theology• The study of theology in the

context of the creedal system of a given denomination.

• For many mainline groups (e.g., Lutheran, Reformed, Catholic) Dogmatic Theology is Systematic Theology.

The Branches of TheologyThe Branches of Theology6. Philosophical Theology• The study of theological

questions about which philosophy also inquires.

• Is there a God? Why does evil exist? What is the soul?

• The primary emphasis is on a dialogue with philosophy, not biblical exegesis.

René Descartes

The Branches of TheologyThe Branches of Theology7. Systematic Theology• Begins with the data of

Exegetical Theology, Biblical Theology, and Bible Doctrine;

• Factors in the data of Historical and Dogmatic Theology;

• Dialogues with Philosophical Theology; and

• Draws from / expresses itself in the language of cultural experience.

SS THEOLOGY

A sailor needs to read more than his charts; he needs to read the ocean!

The Branches of TheologyThe Branches of Theology8. Practical (Applied) Theology• The study of practical issues in

actual ministry settings.• Examples would range from how to

conduct marriage counseling, to a theological strategy for dealing with poverty in the inner city, to whether polygamy is legitimate.

• Practical Theology is the necessary fruit of theological reflection.

Our CourseOur Course’’s Approachs Approach

Exegetical Theology

Biblical Theology/Bible Doctrine

Practical . Theology

Systematic Theology

Historical . Theology

Dogmatic . Theology

Philosophical . Theology

The Sources of TheologyThe Sources of TheologyReason: Is it Rational?• Human reason can have an

important role in doing theology.• Some theologians think reason

alone can discover theological truth.• Reason as a theological source is

based upon the image of God in Man. God has given humans a capacity to arrive at rational conclusions.

?

The Sources of TheologyThe Sources of TheologyConscience: Is it Right?• The faculty within humans that

approves or disapproves of theological conclusions.

• All people have a conscience (Rom. 2:14-16).

• Some theologians hold the conscience is the primary source and judge of theological ideas.

• The conscience of believers is guided by the Holy Spirit.

The Sources of TheologyThe Sources of TheologyExperience: Is it Meaningful?• Many people today hold that

religious experience is the best way to test religious truth.

• We are emotional creatures. Our feelings, based on our experiences, cannot be completely discounted.

• Religious experience can be a way to truth—though never our sole guide.

The Sources of TheologyThe Sources of TheologyTradition: Is it Attested?• For many theologians (especially

Catholics, Orthodox and high-church denominations) tradition (usually in official dogmatic pronouncements) serves to evaluate all theological sources.

• The faith of the Church in the great creeds, and the whole deposit of historic orthodoxy, can help us evaluate and express biblical theology.

The Sources of TheologyThe Sources of TheologyCommunity: Is it Collaborative?• In this view, the community is not

so much a source of theological data but the location.

• Theology is an “in-house” project. It is done by believers for believers.

• Our theology must always be in dialogue with that of Spirit-filled believers worldwide.

The Sources of TheologyThe Sources of TheologyScripture: Is it Biblical?• Scripture is the primary source for

theology and the norm by which we evaluate theological propositions.

• “Thus we arrive at the Bible – the Source by which reason, church, and religious experience can be evaluated theologically.” (J. W. Montgomery, “The Theologians Craft”, p. 283)

• However, Scripture is not self-interpreting. We do need other sources alongside of the Bible.

A Useful DiagramA Useful Diagram

The

“Wesleyan”

Quadrilateral

Tension helps keep our theology tight!Tension helps keep our theology tight!

Scripture Tradition

Reason Experience

Eight Areas of TheologyEight Areas of Theology

1.Theology Proper

2. Bibliology

3. Christology

4. Anthropology

5. Soteriology

6. Pneumatology & Angelology

7. Ecclesiology

8. Eschatology