THE BASIC CONCEPT OF THEOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

The term theology has engulfed so many confusions in the church today, all because majority among Christians don’t find it so reasonable studying theology. Beside, theology as a term has been modified by so many scholars but in many perspectives with different views, and this has been a problem ever since. The researcher therefore embarks on a research in order to find out the comprehensive concept of the term “theology”, its usefulness and importance, as well as its diversified negativity.

DEFINITION OF THEOLOGY

Dictionary of Latin and Greek modifies theology as a Greek word “theologia” (θεολογία) which is derived from theos (θεός), meaning God, and logia (λόγια), meaning utterances, sayings, or oracles (a word related to logos[λόγος], meaning word, discourse, or reasoning) which had passed into Latin as theologia and into French as théologie. Therefore, Kaufmann Walter defines Theology as “the study of God and his relationship to the world. More broadly, theology is a rational interpretation of religious faith, and its themes are God, man, the world, salvation, and eschatology (or the study of last times)” (Kaufmann 2001. 116).

BRANCHES OF THEOLOGY

Though are many branches of theology but the researcher definitely wants to explain only three as, Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology and Historical Theology among others.

a.      Biblical Theology

Biblical theology seeks to describe and interpret the theological dimensions of the Biblical texts themselves. Becker Adam adds, “it seeks to identify the eternal truths that exist within the Old and New Testaments without an attempt to contextualize those truths” (Becker 1984. 29)

b.      Systematic Theology

Systematic theology uses the material of biblical theology, in attempt to reduce the teaching of Christianity to a coherent and relevant statement, using general revelation, reason, and church tradition as its sources.

c.       Historical Theology:

This studies what the Church has taught throughout the ages or in some particular time and setting, with the conviction that voices from the past and witnesses to the churches’ life may have significance for the contemporary church.

IMPORTANCE OF THEOLOGY

a.       Theology gives a church true sense of Biblical direction. Karl Max asserts that “without theology the church would be like a traveller without a map, a ship without charts and compass, a journey without a destination” (Karl 1997. 163).

b.      “Theology is paramount to the church” as A.W. Tozer said (Tozar 2000. 98) without theology the church would cease being the church rather it becomes another social organization.

c.       Theology speaks about the existence and being of God. It speaks of God's attributes and qualities, and it speaks of His great, powerful, and glorious works: creation, providence, redemption, preservation, and consummation.

CONCLUSION

Though all component of theology must be true to the scripture but the researcher found that there is no single, universally recognized concept in theology. Concept varies from one theologian to another and largely depends on the degree of importance attached to the various sources.

REFERENCE LIST:

Becker Adam 1984 Old Arts and New Theology. Michigan: Erdmann’s Publications

Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms Copyright © 1985 by Baker Book House Company. All rights reserved.

Karl Max 1997. Why Study Theology. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Kaufman Walter 2001. Introduction to Theology U. S. A.: Blackwell Publishers.

Tozar A.W 2000. Seven Importance of Theology. London: Glamour Pulications