Author: Richard

  • Introduction to Theology

    Richard

    Theology is the study of God and all things in relation to God. Christian theology is therefore the study of the Christian God as revealed through His creation and through the Bible. All Christians think about God and try to learn about God. In this sense, all Christians practice theology. The question is whether one… Read more

  • About the Members

    Richard

    Please tell us a bit about yourself to add a little personal touch to the discussions. Read more

  • Kickoff Discussion Topics

    Richard

    Please post your initial theological topics that you are interested in. I recommend that you download the draft of my book and look at the table of contents. This will orient you on how theological topics are typically organized. I also recommend that you read the Major Theological Systems post. Read more

  • General and Special Revelation

    Richard

    Interest has been expressed for questioning the assumptions of Christian Theology. The core assumption of theology is that God reveals aspects of himself to mankind and that these revelations are trustworthy. Therefore, we will begin by examining the doctrine of divine revelation. Revelation is a translation of the Greek work apokalupsis (ἀποκάλυψις). It literally means… Read more

  • Major Theological Systems

    Richard

    Systematic theology can generally be divided into Roman Catholic systems and Protestant systems. Protestant systems can be further divided into orthodox, neoorthodox, and liberal. Orthodox systems are based primarily on Scripture and tend to interpret the Bible quite literally. Liberal systems are based primarily on personal religious experiences and tend to interpret the Bible much… Read more

  • Theologians (c.1850-present)

    Richard

    Paul Tillich (1886–1965). Paul Tillich was a German American professor, philosopher and Lutheran theologian who was one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century. Tillich taught at German universities before immigrating to the United States in 1933, where he taught at Union Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, and the University of Chicago. Although an original thinker… Read more

  • Theologians (c. 1550-1850)

    Richard

    Jacobus Arminius (1560–1609). Jacobus Arminius was a Dutch minister, professor, and theologian during the Protestant Reformation period. He developed a theology that is the basis for Arminianism and the Dutch Remonstrant movement. His theology is also substantially the basis for Wesleyanism and the theology of the Methodist church. Of the five points of Reformed theology, Arminius disagreed with the following three:… Read more

  • Theologians (c.1500-1550)

    Richard

    Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556). St. Ignatius was a Roman Catholic priest and theologian who was also the founder of the religious order the Society of Jesus, whose members are referred to as Jesuits (see Society of Jesus above in Events above). As a theologian, St. Ignatius developed a set of spiritual formation exercises consisting of meditations and… Read more

  • Theologians (c.1000-1400)

    Richard

    Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109). St. Anselm was an Italian Benedictine monk, philosopher, theologian, and the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. Anselm developed his theology with a strictly rational and philosophical approach. As such, he is generally recognized as the founder of scholasticism. He is most famous for the development of the ontological argument for the… Read more

  • Theologians (c.100-500)

    Richard

    Polycarp of Smyrna (69–155). Polycarp is considered one of three chief Apostolic Fathers, along with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch. He was a disciple of John the Apostle, resulting in first-hand knowledge of the Gospel message and the ministry of Jesus. Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna and authored the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians. Polycarp… Read more