DEFINE THEOLOGY AND SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY A Paper Presented to Dr. Glenn Kreider Dallas Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course ST101 Introduction to Theology by Samuel Andrew Baylis October 2014
DEFINE THEOLOGY AND SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY The purpose of this writing is to define both the term Theology and the term Systematic Theology. Each term will be briefly defined, and then followed by an explanation of the definitions given. Theology Theology is an individual s synthesis of ideas from one or more sources regarding beliefs about just that paradigm of ultimate reality that has as its source an infinite complex entity from whom all reality flows. Support for the Definition of Theology First, under this definition, everyone is a theologian. While it should be noted that the author sympathizes with those that would define theology in a much more practical and Christian manner (e.g., D. Hollaz 1 ), the author asserts that everyone is a theologian because everyone has an underlying belief about ultimate reality. Whether this individual s belief about ultimate reality includes God, or a god, there is still a belief about ultimate reality, and they are responsible for that belief. The terms study, discipline, or science have been avoided, since fundamentally, theology occurs in every human, intentionally or not. Second, it is important to understand the idea of synthesis from one or more sources. An individual s theological development is a fantastic process that begins at birth, and progresses along with the individual through school, possibly through a career, through sicknesses, through various encounters with religious organizations, and through countless 1 Kenneth S. Kantzer, Systematic Theology as a Practical Discipline, Donald Lewis and Alister McGrath, Doing Theology as the People of God, 1996, 21 2
3 observations of the natural world. All the while, all of this information is undergoing a mixing process (synthesis), which results in the individual s theology. Third, because of the root theos in the word theology, it is critical to not broaden the term to mean all beliefs about ultimate reality (religion), but it must be restricted to those thought systems that include God or god. To define this, the terms infinite complex entity are used to define a god, which throws a broad net to include forms of generalized spirituality and its derivatives. The term belief is used, as it is fully recognized that good or bad theology cannot exist without faith; this follows and is necessitated due to the inclusion of the term infinite. An infinite and complex being can never be understood with full experience/observation by a finite being, and therefore the understanding of such a being must include faith. This idea falls in full harmony with the ideas of Anselm of Canterbury 2, when he notably stated fides quaerens intellectum, or faith seeking understanding. This idea is rooted firmly in the biblical understanding that faith is the beginning of all true understanding about God (c.f. Hebrews 11:6) The phrase from whom all reality flows is necessary, as the understanding of theology is always motivated towards the understanding of the prime mover. In conclusion, the author s perspective on theology is that it is a universally possessed thought system among mankind and that all mankind will be held accountable for their individual theology. Therefore, definitions of theology that are narrower in scope do not emphasize this critical personal responsibility of our existence on this earth. 2 Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology, 5 th ed. (West Sussex: John Wiley and Sons 2011), 34.
4 Systematic Theology Systematic Theology is a subset of Christian Theology and is the disciplined synthesis of one or more sources to arrive at logically derived conclusions on specific categories of theological dogma, doctrine, and beliefs. Support for the Definition of Systematic Theology It is generally understood Peter Lombard produced the first major work of systematic theology when he released Four Books of the Sentences between 1100 and 1200 AD. This textbook was fundamentally a compilation of the writings of the early church fathers 3. The author considers it to be systematic, because the various writings are organized into categories of theological thought (the Trinity, creation, eschatology, etc). It is for this reason that the author asserts that systematic theology is fundamentally a Christian concept and term, so there is not a reason to spread the definition any wider than the realms of Christendom. Currently, there is no widely agreed definition of systematic theology 4. First, systematic theology is indeed a disciplined synthesis. The term disciplined is exercised here (note that it was not so for the definition of theology), as systematic theology is an intentional practice. If an individual wakes up one morning and determines that they are going out soul winning, they must first determine what their systematic theology is regarding soteriology before they begin engaging their neighbors. To formulize their beliefs, there was an intentional application of logical analysis to the problem where multiple scripture passages and perhaps personal experience were synthesized. Furthermore, cultural knowledge was also likely engaged in crafting relevant phraseology. If the soul winner was even more fully prepared, they 3 Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology, 5 th ed. (West Sussex: John Wiley and Sons 2011), 105. 4 Kenneth S. Kantzer, Systematic Theology as a Practical Discipline, Donald Lewis and Alister McGrath, Doing Theology as the People of God, 1996, 21
5 might study various historical theology in order to know how to best answer various objections 5. In this sense, systematic theology is inherently intentional. Second, while a layman s definition of systematic theology would likely only consider the sole source of theology to be the scriptures, it is understood that, in order to have an all-encompassing view of theology, other sources must be considered in the final compilation of the completed thought. The primary source of theology is scripture, and the understanding of the scripture is buttressed by an understanding of nature, historical interpretations/heresy, and finally, culture. Third, the aim of systematic theology is to reach conclusions, and the process by which these conclusions are reached is intensely logical and tested by peers with the laws of reasoning. Fourth, not only is the aim of systematic theology to reach logically derived conclusions, it is necessary that these conclusions be in the arena of specific tenants of dogma, doctrine, and beliefs. These three categories of belief are understood historically to denote various levels of criticality 6. In conclusion, Systematic Theology should be understood in the context of Christian Theology, and is an intentional, logical, and synthetic discipline where theological truth can be articulated for practical outworking in the life of the believer and the church with both historical basis and cultural contextualization. 5 John R.W. Stott, Theology: A Multidimensional Discipline, Donald Lewis and Alister McGrath, Doing Theology as the People of God, 1996, 6 6 Stanley J. Grenz and Roger E. Olson, Who Needs Theology?, (Madison: Intervarsity Press, 1996)
BIBLIOGRAPHY Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology, 5 th ed., West Sussex: John Wiley and Sons, 2011 Kenneth S. Kantzer, Systematic Theology as a Practical Discipline, Donald Lewis and Alister McGrath, Doing Theology as the People of God, 1996 Stanley J. Grenz and Roger E. Olson, Who Needs Theology?, Madison: Intervarsity Press, 1996 John R.W. Stott, Theology: A Multidimensional Discipline, Donald Lewis and Alister McGrath, Doing Theology as the People of God, 1996 6