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Index
Introduction.................................................................................................................... 4
Theology....................................................................................................................... 5
Origin of the idea of God................................................................................................... 5
Definition of Theology...................................................................................................... 5
Kinds of theology............................................................................................................ 5
1. Natural Theology....................................................................................................... 5
2. Revealed (Biblical) Theology....................................................................................... 6
3. Dogmatic Theology.................................................................................................... 6
4. Practical Theology..................................................................................................... 6
5. Theology Proper........................................................................................................ 6
The method of Theology.................................................................................................... 7
The Speculative Method.................................................................................................... 7
The Mystical Method........................................................................................................ 7
The Inductive Method....................................................................................................... 7
The Deductive Method...................................................................................................... 7
Importance of theology...................................................................................................... 7
Conclusion..................................................................................................................... 9
Bibliography................................................................................................................ 10
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Introduction

The present work is inserted in English subject and is related to Theology. The objective is to
define what theology is, mention its parts, the methods and finally the importance of theology.
The elaboration of this work was supported by books, so the research is bibliographic. This
work helps us to understand the reason for the study of theology is that we might obtain a better
understanding of Scripture. If we believe that the Bible is the Word of God, that it is breathed-out
by God and that those who wrote it did so because they were being carried along by the Holy
Spirit then we will want to learn what it teaches. The study of theology, at its best, is a structured
attempt to obtain knowledge of God. In order to do so, we must understand the Bible and reflect
upon its teaching.
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Theology

Origin of the idea of God

ALL men have some knowledge of God. That is, they have the conviction that there is a Being
on whom they are dependent, and to whom they are responsible. What is the source of this
conviction? In other words, what is the origin of the idea of God? To this question three answers
have been given. First, that it is innate. Second, that is a deduction of reason; a conclusion
arrived at by a process of generalization. (1797:155)

Definition of Theology
According to THE BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH OF 1689 apud STANFORD E.
MURRELL, Th. D, The word theology is derived from two Greek words: theos, God; and logos,
discourse.
The same author affirms that Theology Proper is the study of the knowledge of God and His
relation to mankind.

Kinds of theology
According to THE BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH OF 1689 apud STANFORD E.
MURRELL, Th. D, there are five kinds of theology, such as:

1. Natural Theology - Natural Theology is that system of belief which appeals to objective
facts
contained in the works of God as distinct from the written revelation of Scripture.
information is sought from nature, human history, the nature of man, and Providence.
Concerning, Natural Theology the following statements can be made.

Natural Theology is not sufficient to meet the spiritual needs of humanity for specific reasons.
Natural Theology tells of no way of pardon and peace with God.
Natural Theology provides no escape from sin and its consequence.
Natural Theology offers no way of eternal salvation.
Natural Theology provides no incentive to holiness.
Natural Theology contains no sure revelation of the future.
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Natural Theology leaves man in the hands of impersonal laws which are believed to be
irrevocable, irreversible, and impersonal. And yet, those who embrace Natural Law believe that
somehow this system of belief has the capacity to turn the heart from cold hard objective facts to
sensitive spiritual matters. It was the boast of the Deist of the eighteenth century that they would
destroy revealed religion and replace it with natural religion.
2. Revealed (Biblical) Theology - Revealed Theology is primarily concerned with what is
contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments for in them are all the necessary
information that is needed in order to know the Lord. Revealed Theology does not disregard true
truth found elsewhere. It does insist that Divine revelation is the leading source of knowledge of
God, His will, and of man's duty to his Creator.

3. Dogmatic Theology - Dogmatic Theology concentrates on the core doctrines the Church
consistently held to over the centuries concerning Christ. These doctrines include such teachings
as the virgin birth, a sinless life, His substitutionary death, the resurrection from the dead, the
Second Coming, the Trinity, etc. The Church must be careful to give itself to the foundational
teachings. Of the early disciples in Jerusalem it was said that.
4. Practical Theology - Practical Theology seeks to study the effect of Divine truth up on
the lives of professing Christians. The main criteria are whether or not a particular doctrine is
effective in the lives of individuals. It has been observed that all doctrine is practical and all
practice shouldbe doctrinal.
5. Theology Proper - Theology Proper returns to the person of God for the command is
given.
Theology Proper seeks to understand and know God as a person God is not an idol. Nor is God
the product of man's imaginations.
Man must come to God believing that He exists and that He exists as a person worthy of
worship.
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The method of Theology

The Speculative Method

In this system, everything considered is made to conform to the philosophical principles

previously assumed.

The Mystical Method

In mysticism, everything depends on internal and subjective impressions or convictions
rather than on external authority and instruction.

The Inductive Method

The Inductive Method of reasoning moves from a part to a whole, from particulars to generals, or
from the individual to the universal. It seeks to gather information for examination from all the
areas in which God has revealed Himself: the physical universe, human history, the constitution
of the human soul, and the revelation of the written Word. Once the information is collected the
attempt is made to combine everything into a harmonious and consistent theological system. The
Lord is not opposed to the Inductive Method of inquiry.

The Deductive Method

Having gathered particular parts of information, the Deductive Method of reasoning is used to
move from these particulars to infer general principles by reasoning. The Deductive Method
begins with an inference in which the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises.

Importance of theology
The Theology is important to:

1. TO UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES

The first importance for the study of theology is that we might obtain a better understanding of
Scripture. If we believe that the Bible is the Word of God, that it is breathed-out by God and that
those who wrote it did so because they were being carried along by the Holy Spirit then we will
want to learn what it teaches. The study of theology, at its best, is a structured attempt to obtain
knowledge of God. In order to do so, we must understand the Bible and reflect upon its teaching.
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2. TO CLARIFY CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

The second importance for the study of theology is the need to clarify Christian doctrine. From
time to time in the history of the church there has been disagreement within the church
concerning particular doctrines. The task of theology in such circumstances is to clarify the
doctrine on the basis of the teaching of Scripture. One example of this need to clarify Christian
doctrine concerned the doctrine of the divinity of Christ. There were. Certain key events in the
establishment of this doctrine. Perhaps the most significant of these was when Arius, who was a
presbyter from Alexandria, began to teach that Jesus was a created being rather than God
incarnate.
3. TO GROW SPIRITUALLY

If we engage in the study of theology simply to achieve some human objective (being appointed
as a pastor) or because of the intellectual and mental stimulation we might receive through our
studies, then we will ultimately miss the point. In our study of the things of the faith, the key
objective is to know God better and to experience spiritual growth.
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Conclusion
After all discussions we had around this topic, we finished with the following conclusions:

Theology is the first activity of thinking and speaking about God.

The systematic study of theology provides a proper understanding of Scripture. Without

understanding something of the nature and character of God, of sin and the Fall, of the person
and work of Christ, and so on, it is impossible to understand the overall significance of God
existence. Most important of all, if someone is going to understand the Theology properly it is
necessary to learn to handle God's Word
carefully and faithfully. To do so, the study of Theology is absolutely necessary. To understand a
passage of Scripture properly, it is essential that we understand the meaning and significance of
the words used in the context in which these words are found in the Bible and the backgrounds.
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Bibliography
HODGE, Charles, Systematic Theology - Volume I, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 2005

The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 by Stanford E. Murrell, Th.D. an Introductory Study of
Systematic Theology