Christian theology practices theology from a Christian viewpoint or studies Christianity theologically. Given the overwhelming influence exercised by Christianity, especially in pre-modern Europe, Christian theology permeates much of Western culture and often reflects that culture.
Sub-disciplines
Sub-disciplines of Christian theology include:
- Angelology - the study of created spirit beings, including angels, demons, and Satan
- Anthropology - the study of humanity, especially as it relates to the divine
- Bibliology - the study of the Bible in itself, and of its inspiration
- Christology - the study of Christ, of his nature(s), and of the relationship between the divine and human in Christ Jesus
- Ecclesiology - the study of the Christian Church, including her institutional structure, her sacraments and practices (especially the worship of God)
- Eschatology - the study of the last things, last days or end times
- Hamartiology - the study of sin
- Pneumatology - the study of the Holy Spirit
- Soteriology - the study of salvation
- Theodicy - the study of the nature of evil
- Theology proper - the study of God
History
See also History of theology
The history of Christian theology interwines with Church history and covers important developments in philosophy and in the history of ideas. Specific issues such as heresy, Arianism, and the Protestant Reformation are of particular importance.
Methodology
There are several methods to the study of theology. They are, in no particular order:
Schools of Christian theology
Amongst the schools mentioned here some concern only one of the subdisciplines mentioned above and others concern several of the subdisciplines mentioned above.
References
See also
