Systematic Theology 1; Prolegomena..pptx

Dr. Potana's Teaching

1. EUCON International
University

Introduction to Theology

2. What is theology?

THE NATURE OF THEOLOGY

3. What is theology?

« In its most basic form, the word theolog
mean the study of God.

e We do theology when we reason and disc
about the nature, will, and purposes of God.

+. However, we cannot study God. God cannot b
direct object of human research.

4. What is theology?

If we cannot study God, how can we discern his
will, and purposes?

+. We can know the Lord indirectly through
sources: (a) God’s revelation and (b) people’s fai

° Theology, then, is the systematic study of di
revelation and human faith.

5. Faith seeking understandin

The Roman Catholic
theologian Anselm
defined theology as faith
seeking understanding.

We reason and dis
about God because
believe in him, and
want to discover mor
about his nature and
purposes so that we c
live according his will.

6. What is the goal of theology?

THE GOAL OF THEOLOGY

7. What is the goal of theolog

The goal of theology is discern
the will of God in our
generation and context, so
that we might live and act in
ways that are faithful to his
nature and purposes. This is
the goal across the sub-
disciplines.

Theology is the syste
study of God’s revelati
of people’s faith. Its goa
restate the implications o!
God’s revelation for our

context so that we might

believe and live in a way t
faithful to God’s will.

8. How must theology go about its task to achieve its goal?

THE TASK OF THEOLOGY

9. What are the tasks of theolo

If the goal of theology is
discern the will of God in our
context, so that we might live
and act in ways that are
faithful to him, then it has
many implications for the way
we approach the task. Here
are some non-negotiables:

1. God-focused
2. Bible-based

3. Christ-centred

4. Spirit-led

5. Mission-minded

10. What are the tasks of theolo

If the goal of theology is
discern the will of God in our
context, so that we might live
and act in ways that are
faithful to him, then it has
many implications for the way
we approach the task. Here
are some non-negotiables:

6. Historically-info
7. Context-sensitiv

8. Practically-applie

9. Scientifically-plau

11. What is the relationship between the theological sub-
disciplines?

THE BRANCHES OF THEOLOGY

12. How is theology sub-divide

+ Theology is fundamentally a single discipline! Th
sub-disciplines contribute important perspectives
whole of theology.

+ Each theological sub-discipline contributes towards a h
understanding of the will of God for our context. Theolo;
single discipline tasked with discerning and restating
will for our context. It can only do so by taking into ac
the perspective that each sub-discipline contributes.

13. How is theology sub-divide

Missiology

Chu
History

This is an inadequate
view the relationship bi
the sub-disciplines. It i
that each subdiscipline is
essentially separate from
others, and that theolog]
fragmented into its sub-
disciplines. \

14. How is theology sub-dividet

This is a better way to view
the relationship between
the sub-disciplines. It
shows that theology is a
single, holistic field of
study. Each sub-discipline
contributes valuable
perspective to the whole.

Missiology

15. What are the attitudes and techniques by which we do
theology?

THE METHODS OF THEOLOGY

16. The Methods

+ Hermeneutical:
we interpret

Theology can mean
‘reasoning and discoursing
about God’. We do + Critical:
theology by thinking and Were evaluate
speaking about God’s
word and our faith.

+ Dialogical:
we discuss

Correlational:
we compare

17. How are we doing?

CONCLUSION

18. Conclusion

+ We can only do theology to the extent that we hav
vision of what theology is and, flowing from that
clear commitment regarding how it should be done.

° Theology is faith seeking understanding through rea
and discoursing about God. We seek to know God's n
will, and purposes through a Bible-based, Christ-centre
Spirit-led approach.

19. Questions for Reflection

e Is this a vision of theology that we share
there aspects of this that need to be twe

e At first impressions, based on your experi
of SATS to date, how do you think we are
doing at communicating and instilling this

understanding of theology in our students?

20. THE END