THEO-theology

THEOLOGY - it comes from the Greek words ‘theos’ (God) and ‘logos’ (word, phrase, speech, science or
reason).
- Nominally speaking, theology means study of God.
- Objectively speaking – it means the science treating of God.
- Subjectively – it means the scientific knowledge of God and of Divine things.

SOURCES OF THEOLOGY
1. Tradition – It comes from the Latin word ‘traditio’ which means ‘to pass down’ and its real meaning, it
something handed down from one generation to another.
2. Scripture (Holy Scriptures) – it comes from the Latin word ‘scriptura’ which means ‘anything written’ but
this concept of Scripture is fully upheld by the Christian teachings.
3. Reason – It comes from the Latin word ‘ratio’ which means ‘I think’ but its real meaning is that, a faculty
or power of the mind whereby it draws just conclusions from the true and clear principles.
4. Experience (Christian Experience) – it is the religious knowledge which is acquired by any exercise,
enjoyment or sufferings either of the body or mind.

TASKS/AREAS OF THEOLOGY
1. God – The study of God’s existence; who is God
2. Christ – The study of His person, life, work/ministry
3. Holy Spirit – The study of His Work
4. Scripture – The study of God’s revelation to us through the sacred scripture
5. Humanity – The study of human nature
6. Salvation – The study of what God has been doing throughout the history of the world in order to
redeem His people
7. Sin – The study of the nature of sin and its effects to the people and the world
8. Church – The study of the formation and the structure, leadership and the nature of the church
9. Angels – The study of the nature of angels
10. Last things – The study of prophecy, heaven, hell and the judgment

BRANCHES OF THEOLOGY
1. Biblical Theology – it refers to the study of the Bible that seeks to discover what the biblical writers
under the divine guidance, believed, described and taught in the context during their time.
2. Historical Theology – it investigates the development of Christian thought in its growth through the
centuries since biblical times.
3. Practical Theology – it focuses on pastoral application of biblical truths in modern life.
4. Christian Ethics/Moral Theology – is the branch of theology that studies in a systematic way the
practical implication of God’s revelatory intervention in Jesus Christ. It is concerned with the kind of
people we ought to be and the kinds of actions we ought to perform or avoid.
5. Philosophical Theology – is the process of doing theology with the aid and support of philosophical
reflection, language and methods.
6. Apologetics – (“Speaking in defense”) it is the religious discipline of defending the religious doctrines
through systematic argumentation and discourse.
7. Christian Apologetics – is a branch of Christian theology that defends Christianity against objections.
8. Systematic Theology – It refers to something being put into a system; a discipline of Christian
theology that formulates an orderly, rational and coherent account on the doctrine of the Christian faith.

REASONS FOR STUDYING THEOLOGY

1. Everything is theological
2. To know what you believe and why you believe
3. To defend the faith and guard against false teaching
4. Our beliefs impact our actions
5. As a means of worship

GOALS OF THEOLOGY
1. To glorify God
2. To think theologically
3. To live accordingly to God's Will
4. To connect faith and practices