Christian theology
Christian theology is the theology – the systematic study of the divine and religion – of Christian belief and practice.[1] It concentrates primarily upon the texts of the Old Testament and of the New Testament, as well as on Christian tradition. Christian theologians use biblical exegesis, rational analysis and argument. Theologians may undertake the study of Christian theology for a variety of reasons, such as in order to:
- help them better understand Christian tenets[2]
- make comparisons between Christianity and other traditions[3]
- defend Christianity against objections and criticism
- facilitate reforms in the Christian church[4]
- assist in the propagation of Christianity[5]
- draw on the resources of the Christian tradition to address some present situation or perceived need[6]
- education in Christian philosophy, especially in Neoplatonic philosophy[7][8]
Christian theology has permeated much of non-ecclesiastical Western culture, especially in pre-modern Europe, although Christianity is a worldwide religion.
See also
References
- ↑ Template:Cite book
- ↑ See, e.g., Daniel L. Migliore, Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004)
- ↑ See, e.g., David Burrell, Freedom and Creation in Three Traditions (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1994)
- ↑ See for example John Shelby Spong, Why Christianity Must Change or Die (New York: Harper Collins, 2001)
- ↑ See, e.g., Duncan Dormor et al. (eds), Anglicanism, the Answer to Modernity (London: Continuum, 2003)
- ↑ For example, see Timothy Gorringe, Crime, Changing Society and the Churches Series (London: SPCK, 2004).
- ↑ Louth, Andrew. The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition: From Plato to Denys. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1983.
- ↑ Template:Cite book