WHAT IS THEOLOGY:
several subjects. The number can vary, but
In its most basic form, the word theology
would mean the study of God.
We do theology when we reason and
discourse about the nature, will, and
purposes of God.
However, we cannot study God. God cannot
be the direct object of human research.
If we cannot study God, how can we discern
his nature, will, and purposes?
We can know the Lord indirectly through
two sources:
(a) God’s revelation and
(b) people’s faith.
Theology, then, is the systematic study of
divine revelation and human faith.
BRANCHES OF THEOLOGY:
1. Biblical Theology. This is theological study
drawn directly from The Bible.
2. Historical Theology. Studies theology
with respect to Christian history.
3. Philosophical Theology. Studies theology
with respect the philosophy or "reason".
4. Systematic Theology. Attempts to
combine Biblical, Historical, and
Philosophical Theology to make a
"systematized" understanding of various
subjects.
5. Practical Theology. Attempts to apply
systematic theology to practical ministry.
These might include education, missions,
pastoral care, etc. B.
By subject.
Systematic Theology is broken up into
here are ten to consider.
1. Theology Proper. The study of God.
2. Bibliology. The study of Bible
3. Christology. The study of Jesus Christ
4. Pneumatology. The study of the Holy
Spirit.
5. Soterology. The study of
salvation/redemption
6. Angeology. The study of angels (and
demons)
7. Hamartiology/Theodicy. The study of sin
and suffering.
8. Eschatology. The study of end times
9. Anthropology. The study of man
10. Ecclesiology. The study of the church
There are other ways of categorizing
Theology as well.
Another way would be Models of Theology.
These might include Arminian, Calvinish,
Postmodern/Emergent, Catholic, Liberation,
Liberal, Neo-Orthodox, Orthodox,
Pentecostal, Charismatic, etc. theologies.
THEOLOGIANS:
Early Christian Theologians
Technically, early Christianity is considered
as Christianity prior to 325 A.D. However,
for the purpose of this list, the theologians
included are those up through the
Reformation. Early Christian theologians
helped shape the course of Christianity for
the course of history.
1. St. Ignatius of Antioch: Also
known as Theophorus is
considered on of the Apostolic
Fathers, and was the third
bishop of Antioch. His letters
have been preserved as
evidence of early Christian
theology.
2. Polycarp: Another influential
father of Christianity. His
exhortations to avoid
materialism are considered part
of Christian theology, and he
was enthusiastic in combating
heresies. His martyrdom is
considered one of the defining
points of Christianity.
3. Clement of Alexandria: Clement
was known for his combination
of Greek philosophical
traditions with Christian
doctrine.
4. Saint Augustine: One of the
most authoritative figures in
Christian theology is Saint
Augustine, who successfully
completed the merger of Greek
philosophical practice and
Judeo-Christian religious
traditions. His treatises on
authority and other theological
issues have influenced Christian
tradition for centuries.
5. Saint Jerome: Widely
considered one of the most
learned of church fathers,
Jerome translated the Bible
into Latin, providing one of the
most important texts in the
Catholic church.
6. Gregory the Great: This pope
was very influential as a
theologian who revised worship
and wrote prolifically about
theology and spirituality.
7. Bernard of Clairvaux: This
advisor to five different popes
wrote eloquently about
different matters of doctrine,
especially on the love of God,
and on humility.
8. Francis of Assisi: This saint
became devoted to austerity
after making some wild choices
in his youth. He is one of the
most well-known theologians,
and had much to do with the
development different orders
within the Catholic church.
Reformation Theologians
The Reformation is generally considered to
last from 1517 to 1648. This was a time
period marked by transformative theology.
Learning about reformation theologians can
help you find out more about your faith and
spirituality. 
9. Martin Luther: Many religious
scholars pinpoint the beginning
 of the Reformation from when
Martin Luther nailed the 95
Theses to the door of church.
Luther directed religious
thought for centuries.
10. John Calvin: A French reformist
who broke with the Catholic
church and helped with
Protestant reform efforts,
influencing Christian theology
and religion.
11. John Knox: Brought the
Reformation to Scotland, and
rose in the ranks of the Church
of England, contributing to
the Book of Common Prayer.
12. Teresa of Avila: This saint
reformed Carmelite nuns, and
was a prominent theological
thinker, and apologist for
Catholicism.  determination and harmony.
13. John Hooker: Theologian who
was instrumental in bring
reason and tolerance to the
Church of England. His
influence has been felt in
Anglicanism for centuries.
14. Richard Baxter: One of the
leading Puritan theologians, he
was a non-conformist who
influenced Christianity through
his writings and hymns.  20.
15. John Milton: His polemic
writings have had a great deal
of influence on theology, as
well as serving under Oliver
Cromwell.
16. Jacob Boehme: A free thinker
whose writings have been
theologically influential.
Revivalist Theologians
During periods of religious awakening,
theologians often appear to provide new
insights into theology and other weighty
matters of the spirit. The great theologians
of the “Awakenings” in 1727, 1792, 1830,
1857, 1882, and 1904, can provide some
great insight into the development of
religion. 
17. Jonathan Edwards: One of the
most important philosophers
and theologians of American
revivals, Edwards focused on
18. Charles Wesley: Leader of the
Methodist movement, and a
theologian with a number of
writings, and known for his
hymns.
19. John Wesley: Like his brother
Charles, John Wesley was
known as a religious thinker
who helped lead the Methodist
movement.
George Whitefield: This
revivalist helped bring the
Great Awakening to Britain and
influential in the evangelical
movement.
21. William Booth: Founder of the
Salvation Army, and a
theologian instrumental in
providing aid to those who
needed it. The Salvation Army
 is well-known throughout the
world.
22. Joseph Smith, Jr.: Founder of
the Latter-day Saint movement,
Smith was known for his new
theology for that time. He was
inspired by the revivals of the
Second Great Awakening.
23. William Burt Pope: Theologian
focusing on the “big picture” of
Christianity, and a linguist who
translated different works.
24. Soren Kierkegaard: A
prominent theologian that
focused on the practice of
Christianity. Considered one of
the first existentialists.  30.
Modern Theologians
Even today, Christianity is changing.
Theologians offer insight into the word of
God, and new ideas about religion are
always emerging. You can keep up with the
latest in understanding religion and God
with some of the modern theologians.
25. Karl Barth: The father of “neo-
orthodoxy” and influential in
the movement to reject
theological liberalism.
26. Gordon Clark: Well-known
American philosopher and
theologian, his ideas of
scripturalism have influenced
modern Christian thinking.
27. C.S. Lewis: One of the most
well-known modern Christian
theologians. Also known for his
fiction, much of which contains
Christian undertones.
28. Joseph Ratzinger: Pope
Benedict XVI, is a well-known
academic and theologian who
continues to influence the
direction of the Catholic
church.
29. John Stott: A noted leader of
the modern evangelical
movement worldwide, and a
theologian whose writings are
influential.
Albert Schweitzer: Medical
missionary and religious
philosopher who challenged
many commonly held views
from skeptics and Christians
alike. He was awarded a Nobel
prize in philosophy.
31. Marilyn McCord Adams:
Prominent religious
philosopher looking into
theology, and teaching
philosophy to the next
generation of theologians.
32. Elizabeth Stuart: A feminist
theologist specializing in queer
theology.
Non-Christian Theologians
Other religions have their own theologians spiritual thinking for the past
as well. If you are interested in 150 years.
understanding the teachings of other 40. Confucius: While Confucianism
spiritual traditions, and if you want to doesn’t espouse a specific
understand other ideas of religion and theology, there are spiritual
deity, you can learn from some of these elements involved, and his
great historical theologians. thoughts on spirituality, and
metaphysics have been
33. Abraham Joshua Heschel: One
influential over thousands of
of the leading Jewish years.
theologians of the 20th
Century.  The 40 Greatest Theologians Throughout
34. Rachel Adler: An influential History » TheologyDegreesOnline.com
Jewish theologian, focusing
especially on gender issues and _______________________________________
Jewish law. ANCIENT: PAGANISM
35. Prophet Muhammad: The
St. anselm – faith seeking and understanding
founder of Islam is considered
one of the foremost Requirements of theology:
theologians in the world —
Sense of faith
someone whose view of
theology has shaped the world Sense of understanding
for centuries.
36. Leila Ahmed: The first women’s
studies professor at Harvard ST. Thomas – discussion and rationality
Divinity School, Ahmed is
Karl krainer science of faith
interested in gender studies in
Islam. St. john paul II - faith, understanding, love
37. Buddha: While possibly not Richard mcbrian – theology is an act or a
truly a theologian, Buddha’s process or bringing to stitch the absolute.
spiritual teachings nevertheless
have influenced millions of - Should be channeled into
people through centuries. communication. Not confined only in
the church or school.
38. Ketut Wiana: One of the
foremost scholars of Hindu Wholistic because it has spirituality and
theology in the world today, rationality.
and an expert Agama Hindu
Dharma.
39. Baháu’lláh: This Persian
nobleman and theologian is the
founder of the Baha’i faith —
someone who has influenced
 from diffent parts of the world to be known or

Religion: even studied upon. Therefore, globalization

brings
-the belief in and worship of a higher being
light to the fact that each religion may have the
- a system of faith and worship
same
- a pursuit with gread devotion
or different values neither one of them is
- the belief in god or transciendal beings absolute.

Role of religion in society: -globalization also gives way to new tradition

religion in the philippines have great impact on fo example: Leo Tolstoy, Mohandas Gandhi, and
the Martin Luther King, Jr.

society. It is the backbone of our culture, views, “rediscovered, reinvented, and

reconceptualized”
opinion, ethics and more.It serves as a guideline
to differentiate the beliefs of the world’s major religions.

good and bad. It uses the bible as a holy book.

Major belief system:

christianity

It is founded on the life of jesus christ.

the belief that there is only one god

that is consist of the father, the son, and

the holy spirit.

Islam

- the belief that there is only one god named

"allah".

It uses the Quran as a holy book.

Buddhism

- based on the teachings of Siddartha Gautama

and focuses on reaching enlightenment

-globalization allows various religion