Systematic Theology (Briefly PhD Edit)

Visit Lisbon: Portugal

July 4, 2019

Blessings to my American readers and friends…

I consider myself a philosophical theologian and philosopher of religion as opposed to a systematic theologian, but there definitely is significant overlap in skill-sets.

2010 Theodicy and Practical Theology: PhD thesis, the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter

This systemization[1] (of theology and philosophy) would be a task of systematic theology and philosophy of religion.  Practical and empirical theology can provide opportunities to evaluate practically systematic theology and philosophy of religion in regard to the problem of evil.[2]

(As was done in my MPhil and PhD theses. Philosophical Theology can systematize as well.)

S.W. Sykes (1999) in his article ‘Systematic Theology’ describes it as a method by which theology is given a rational and orderly account.[3]  Systematic theology is the systemization of theological concepts.[4]  Erickson explains that systematic theology draws upon the entire Bible and does not exegete texts in isolation.[5]  It attempts to analyze and understand Scriptural teachings in a harmonized way.[6]  I would add that philosophy also plays a part in systemizing theology.  Klein, Blomberg and Hubbard explain systematic theology attempts to make Christian doctrine coherent, Biblical, and written in a culturally contemporary way.[7] Systematic theology will always be influenced by the theological agenda of the writer.[8]

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994)Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It? Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

KLEIN, WILLIAM W. CRAIG, C. BLOMBERG, AND ROBERT L. HUBBARD, JR. (1993) Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, London, Word Publishing.

MCCANT, JERRY W. (1991) ‘The Development of Doctrine in the New Testament’, in David Alan Black and David S. Dockery (eds.), New Testament Criticism and Interpretation, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.

SYKES, S.W. (1999) ‘Systematic Theology’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.

WOODWARD, JAMES AND STEPHEN PATTISON (2000)(2007)(eds.), The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology, Oxford, Blackwell Publishing.

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[1] McCant (1991: 471).

[2] Woodward and Pattison (2000)(2007: 14).

[3] Sykes (1999: 560). 

[4] Sykes (1999: 560). 

[5] Erickson (1994: 21). 

[6] Erickson (1994: 21). 

[7] Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard (1993: 384).

[8] Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard (1993: 384).