Reformed theology began during the Reformation in the 16th century, emphasizing serious study of the Bible and God’s sovereignty in all things, including salvation. The doctrines of grace, including total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of saints, are important. Reformed Christians place great emphasis on Bible study and believe in the […]
Process theology is a philosophy that believes God is influenced by temporal processes, is changeable, and has limited knowledge. God and humans work together as partners in creation, and absolute knowledge of God is unattainable. Process theology is often associated with Christianity, but it is not limited to a specific religion. Christ is only considered […]
Pentecostal Church, part of the Holiness movement, focuses on experiencing the Holy Spirit in everyday life, with a literal approach to biblical stories. Charismatic practices include speaking in tongues and serpent charms. The movement began in Los Angeles in 1915 and has over 250 million followers worldwide. The Pentecostal Church was founded in the early […]
Biblical theology traces the history of interactions between God and man in the Bible. It is complementary to systematic theology, with a historical approach to knowledge of God. The Bible contains progressive revelations about God, leading to the redemption of his people through Jesus Christ. Biblical theologians assume the Bible is the authoritative word of […]
Theology is a belief system, while faith is the belief in a set of beliefs. Religious studies focus on theologies of world religions, and faith is a main characteristic of those who follow a particular theology. Theology is a formal course of study, and while faith and theology are linked for those who believe in […]
Dominion theology is a religious belief that humans have rights and responsibilities over the earth, animals, and celestial powers. It has various forms, including caring for life forms and establishing civil law. It is controversial due to perceived threats to religious freedom. Adherents believe in the creation narrative in the Bible, but interpretations vary. Some […]
Replacement theology is a controversial Christian doctrine that believes the Church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. Some Christians believe the Jewish people lost their promises because their ancestors did not believe in Jesus. The Holocaust played a role in shaping recent developments in replacement theology. Many Jewish survivors who settled in Israel still believe […]
Jewish theology studies God’s nature and divine laws in Judaism through canonized religious texts and past authorities. It includes written and oral law, and scholars analyze past works to produce reasoned arguments for religious questions. Different schools of thought can lead to different answers and movements within Judaism. Jewish theology is the study of the […]
Liberal theology reconciles Christianity with modern thought, including social equality, through reexamining Christian dogma and embracing rational thought. It aims to exalt Christianity’s best qualities and has roots in Unitarian Universalism. Challenges include fostering open-mindedness and defending Christian ideas in a hostile academic community. Liberal theology is a general term for Christian theological thought that […]
Liberation theology is a Christian movement that aims to free people from social, economic, political, and materialistic oppression. It was coined by Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutierrez in the late 1960s and is based on the belief that God protects and speaks for the poor. The movement faced criticism for being influenced by Marxism and promoting […]
Black liberation theology applies Christian beliefs to address the subjugation of African Americans. Its founder, James Cone, was influenced by Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Cone’s Black Theology and Black Power further articulated the reasons and methods for implementing the theology. The approach is similar to Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the […]
Spiritual theology combines the study of theology with living the tenets of a particular faith. It is practiced by those who believe in a certain theology and shape their lives according to its teachings. It is often applied to evangelical Christians and Catholics who structure their lives around the literal interpretation of the Bible. The […]
To teach theology effectively, one must understand the subject, make it understandable to students, be organized, passionate, and unbiased. The teacher should know what type of theology to teach, structure the course accordingly, and relate it to students’ knowledge. The teacher should understand and articulate the subject, arouse interest, and enable discussion. The teacher should […]
Liturgical theology studies Christian doctrines in relation to worship practices, including standardized liturgy and less formal Protestant worship. It examines the development of liturgical practices and their relationship with historical theology, as well as the relationship between theology and sacraments. Liturgical theology also explores the mutually influential relationship between worship services and views of God, […]
Theology and culture are symbiotic and have influenced each other throughout history. Religious beliefs dictate morals and behaviors, which can shape a group’s culture. Art, literature, and customs often reflect a people’s religious beliefs. The influence can flow in reverse, with culture influencing religion. Both concepts evolve and influence each other bidirectionally. The concepts of […]
Theology is the systematic study of religious tradition and practice, including the effects of religion on daily life and historical evolution of religious belief. It can be studied informally or formally within an academic context, and is not limited to Christianity. Theologians use various methods, including careful reading of scriptures and philosophical reasoning. Many universities […]
Sacred theology studies divine revelations in religious texts like the Bible or Koran. It applies to various religions, but typically refers to Christianity. An MA in Sacred Theology requires a master’s degree and is used to broaden theological knowledge. Different branches of Christianity have additional sacred texts, while Judaism focuses on the Old Testament. Students […]
Baptist theology shares core Christian beliefs such as the lordship of Jesus and salvation by grace through faith. Specific Baptist beliefs include believer’s baptism, the priesthood of all believers, and autonomy of churches. Baptist churches vary in beliefs due to their lack of hierarchy. They originated in the 15th century and have split into various […]
Music has been used to express human emotions and is an integral part of many religious beliefs. Chanting scriptures set to music is common in many religions and can deepen theological meaning. Catholicism has a structured theology of music, while non-liturgical traditions often use popular music to voice concerns and theology. Even secular music can […]
Evangelical theology is a belief system based on strict adherence to principles derived from the Bible, with a focus on spreading Christianity. It has become an important element of global and American Christianity, and is often linked to conservative social and political movements. While there has been little consensus on how best to fulfill the […]
