Theology

Theology is a very important and a robust part of what we do at West Florida Theological Seminary (WFTS). Theology comes from the Greek words theos (God) and logos, (reason or discourse). Everyone is a theologian of some sort, as Ryrie has said, "because theology simply means thinking about God and expressing those thoughts in some way, even an atheist has a theology. He thinks about God, rejects His existence, and expresses that sometimes in creed and always in lifestyle" (Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology).

At WFTS we have built a curriculum that will enable you to become a competent theologian. We have many theology classes built into every degree. Moreover, we focus on giving the student advanced knowledge of the two primary theological systems in competition today, Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology.

Theology is of the utmost importance because what we believe to be true theologically, shapes our behavior. Theology provides the metaphysical reality for our thoughts and actions, that is to say, orthodoxy (right doctrine) determines orthopraxy (right behavior). Theology is a rational discourse about God, and it is divided into several categories:

Biblical Theology is a study of the biblical basis for theology.
Historical Theology is a discussion of the theology of the great theologians of the Christian church.
Systematic Theology is an attempt to construct a comprehensive and consistent whole out of all revelation from God, whether special (biblical) or general (natural) revelation.

Systematic theology is generally divided into the following categories:

Prolegomena (Introduction).
Bibliology (Gk: biblios, “Bible”).
Theology Proper, the study of God.
Anthropology (Gk: pl. anthropoi, “human beings”).
Harmartiology (Gk: harmartia, “sin”).
Soteriology (Gk: soterios, “salvation”).
Ecclesiology (Gk: ecclesia, “[the] church”).
Eschatology (Gk: eschatos, “the last things”).
Pneumatology (Gk: pneuma, “spirit”), the study of the Holy Spirit.
Christology the study of Christ.
Angelology the study of angels.
Demonology the study of demons.
Satanology the study of Satan.

-- Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology, Volume One: Introduction, Bible (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2002), 16.

Why study theology?

1. Because theological-mindedness, assuming that it is centred on sound teaching and true spirituality, is the best remedy against being ‘blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming’ (Ephesians 4:14).

2. Every Christian is called to be a theologian.

You don’t have to have a degree in theology to be a theologian.
You don’t have to be a minister to be a theologian.
You don’t have to be in full-time Christian service to be a theologian.

3. The pastor’s task is to prepare others for works of service ‘so that the body of Christ may be built up … in the knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:12–13).

‘Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth’ (2 Timothy 2:15).
‘You, however, know all about my teaching’ (2 Timothy 3:10).
‘For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine’ (2 Timothy 4:3).

4. The present trend toward man-centredness and ‘what’s in it for me?’ type of thinking has created a vacuum that has left the church in a powerless and superficial state.

Too many Christians cannot tell you for sure what they believe or why they believe it.
Too many Christians know nothing of the history of the Christian church.
- Church history is the laboratory of theology.
- Knowledge of the past will help us to understand the present and face the future.

Why theology and not just the Bible?

1. One can learn facts about the Bible and miss the important principles that lie behind these facts.

It is one thing to know the story of Adam and Eve, quite another, for example, to know:
- The implications for marriage and the family.
- The nature of sin, temptation and results of the Fall.
It is one thing to know that Jesus died on the cross, quite another to know:
- What the blood of Jesus meant to God the Father.
- What the blood of Jesus means to us.

2. Theology is partly shaped by church history.

None of us can live in isolation from the past.
- We all have our biases.
- They came largely from those who lived before us.
The Apostle Paul built his teaching on those who preceded him, e.g., Abraham and David (Romans 4:1–8).
- Our minds have been shaped by great thinkers as well.
- We often quote Luther and Calvin; they quoted Augustine and Athanasius.
Some say, ‘But I will just read the Bible like Paul. I don’t need Augustine or Athanasius or Calvin.’
- Chances are, they will still have their prejudices.
- We need to understand our prejudices, how we got them and how to correct them where necessary.

Theology is not a bad word!

1. Theology was once regarded as the ‘queen of the sciences.

Just two or three centuries ago the greatest minds aspired to be theologians or clerics.
Today the better minds aspire to be scientists or computer experts.

2. On the Oxford University coat of arms are the words ‘Dominus illuminatio mea’—‘the Lord is my light’ (Psalm 27:1).

Since these words were written theology has passed behind a cloud.
We want to help restore the honour of God’s name by a return to theological-mindedness.

3. Uninteresting preachers, dull theologians and less able men have moved in where spiritual giants once held sway.

Correcting this trend will not be easy.
Learning theology may not come naturally.
It will take effort.

Sound Theology Combines Both the Mind and Heart

1. Emphasis on the intellect alone is dangerous.

‘Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up’ (1 Corinthians 8:1).
The intellect is only one part of our personality.
Intellectual stimulus alone breeds pride and leads to dullness and self-righteousness.

2. Emphasis on the heart alone is dangerous.

‘The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure’ (Jeremiah 17:9).
The heart emphasis can lead to an over-emphasis on the emotions.
Ignoring the intellectual side of personality can lead to false pride and self-righteousness.

-- R. T. Kendall, Understanding Theology, Volume One (Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus, 1996), 8–9.