Christian theology studies God from a Christian perspective, but different strands of Christianity disagree on finer points such as the nature of God and salvation. The Bible is the most important source, but interpretations vary due to translation issues. The Eucharist and sacraments are also debated. The Catholic Church values tradition, while Protestants focus on baptism and the Eucharist. The nature of the cosmos and humanity’s path to salvation are also points of disagreement. Christian theology was not always open to debate, with the Catholic Church cracking down on differing theories.
Christian theology is the study of God from a Christian point of view. All Christians are united by faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as their Savior. Beyond this point and, for many, the recognition of the Holy Trinity, the different strands of Christianity disagree on the finer points of Christian theology. The key points for discussion and disagreement are the nature of God and his relationship to Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the Eucharist, the sacraments and perhaps most importantly the way of salvation.
The most important source of information on Christian theology is the Bible. There is debate over interpretations of the Bible due to translation issues; for example, the Greek word “pentito” was translated into the Latin word “to do penance” by the Catholic Church, which is why many Protestants consider penance a sacrament. Other important texts include the letters or epistles of St. Paul, which are some of the earliest Christian writings. The Catholic Church also attaches great value to the tradition of the Church.
The nature of God is one area on which most modern Christians agree, though even then there are differences between those who believe in the tougher God of the Old Testament and the more humanistic God of the New Testament. The largest area of agreement is on the dual nature of God as God and Christ, with many also believing that the Holy Spirit is God. Relatively small disagreements on the issue have helped divide the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
The Eucharist is the commemoration of the Last Supper in which Jesus told his disciples that the bread in his hand and the wine in his cup were his real body and blood. The nature of the Eucharist is a hotly debated topic in Christian theology. Catholics believe in a literal transformation of both bread and wine called transubstantiation. Most Protestants believe in a subtle transformation called consubstantiation, or believe that Jesus was symbolic.
The sacraments are the seven most important rites of the Church. Catholics believe in seven sacraments including marriage, baptism, penance and last rites. Most Protestants believe that the most important sacraments are baptism and the Eucharist.
The nature of the cosmos and humanity’s path to salvation are a major point of disagreement among Christians. The Catholic Church, for the most part, follows the teachings of Augustine of Hippo, who believed that despite Christ’s sacrifice, humanity was still sinful. Other groups have different ideas about how people can get to heaven and whether God has already chosen who is saved or not.
Christian theology has not always been the subject of open debate. The first 400 years of development were characterized by disparate forces and factions, as well as a total lack of power. Once consecrated in Rome, the Catholic Church began to crack down on debates and theories it didn’t agree with. This, for example, marked the end of Pelagian Humanism in the 4th and 5th centuries and also of the Cathars in medieval France. The open debate in Europe took centuries of often bloody fighting to achieve.
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