The Nature of Theology

A. Definition

1. General Definition
   The term theology comes from the combination of theos (Greek for god) and logos (Greek for word or dialogue). Theology is most broadly understood as a “discussion regarding God”. (It is often said that theology may be defined as a “discussion of God”, which intends the same meaning, though this is all too often misunderstood to mean “discussion by God”.) Thus any religion involving a god worthy of dialogue will require some form of theology. (Of course once you step out of western tradition, Greek terminology quickly loses its precision.)

    

2. Specific Definition
   Christian Theology involves the entire study of God and His relation to man and the universe, while specifically incorporating all biblical doctrines.

1. Bible Doctrine restricts itself to only what is taught in the Bible.

    

2. Theology goes to other sources of truth.

   1. Example: “Canonicity of the Bible”

      1. Canonicity involves historical truths (as to how canonicity occurred) not recorded in the Bible.

      2. One’s stance on canonicity involves logical truths (as to what tests were used for canonicity) not recorded in the Bible.

   2. Example: Arguments for the Existence of God

      1. Such arguments involve philosophical truths not expressed in the Bible.

      2. Such arguments involve logical truths not expressed in the Bible.

    

3. Theology includes Bible Doctrine

   1. Theologians will at times study more than the Bible.

      1. There is much truth not found in the Bible, such as in Science, History and Religion.

      2. All truth is of God, no matter where it is found.

   2. Theologians will raise and try to answer questions about some truth not found in the Bible.

      1. How did God “write” the Bible? (Bibliology)

      2. Is written revelation complete? (Bibliology)

      3. Why cannot God’s mercy over-rule his justice? (Theology Proper)

      4. Why is it fair for God to “elect” only some people for salvation? (Theology Proper)

      5. How is the sin nature passed from parent to child? (Anthropology)

      6. Why is man guilty for Adam’s first sin? (Anthropology)

      7. 7. Etc.

                                     (by Scott david Fautz)

BIBLIOLOGY - the doctrine of the Bible

Manual of Theology, Vol.I, by John L. Dagg.                           (courtesy of www.reformedreader.org)

Rev. John L. Dagg was one of the bright theologians in the early American Baptist movement. He was born in 1794 in Loudoun County, Virginia and lived to be over 90 years old. He was one of the most respected men in Baptist life and remains one of the most profound thinkers produced by our denomination.

...What was spoken and written by inspiration, came with as high authority as if it had preceded from God without the use of human instrumentality... Their peculiarities of thought, feeling, and style had no more effect to prevent what they spoke end wrote from being the word of God, than their peculiarities of voice or of chirography...

John L. Dagg
President, Mercer University
Manual of Theology (1857)

Manual of Theology, Vol.II,  A Treatise on Church Order,  by John L. Dagg.                           (courtesy of www.founders.org )

Abstract of Systematic Theology, by Rev. James Petigru Boyce, D. D., LL. D., Joseph-Emerson-Brown Professor of Systematic Theology in The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. First published in 1887. Courtesy of www.founders.org, Transcribed by Roane Hunt, Spencer Haygood, Todd Wilson, and Dan Wright, proofread by Cindy Kemp, Lewis Noles, Sam Hughey, and Henry Holloway, HTML by Lewis Noles.