There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on theHistory of Christian theology.
Christian theologians may be specialists in one or more theological sub-disciplines. These sub-disciplines are often included in certain job titles such as 'Professor of x', 'Senior Lecturer in y':
Apologetics/polemics – studying Christian theology as it compares to non-Christianworldviews in order to defend the faith and challenge beliefs that lie in contrast with Christianity.
Biblical hermeneutics – interpretation of theBible, often with particular emphasis on the nature and constraints of contemporary interpretation. Hermeneutics takes into consideration the culture at the time of writing, who wrote the text, who was the text written for, etc.
Biblical studies – interpretation of the Bible, often with particular emphasis on historical-critical investigation.
Biblical theology – interpretation of the Bible, often with particular emphasis on links between biblical texts and the topics of systematic or dogmatic theology.[1]
Ecumenical theology – comparing the doctrines of the diverse churches (e.g., Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, the various Protestant denominations) with the goal of promoting unity among them
Natural theology – the discussion of those aspects of theology that can be investigated without the help of revelation scriptures or tradition (sometimes contrasted with "positive theology").
Patristics or patrology—studies the teaching ofChurch Fathers, or the development of Christian ideas and practice in the period of the Church Fathers.
Philosophical theology – the use of philosophical methods in developing or analyzing theological concepts.[1]
Pragmatic orpractical theology – studying theology as it relates to everyday living and service to God, including serving as areligious minister.
Spiritual theology—studying theology as a means toorthopraxy;scripture andtradition are both used as guides for spiritual growth and discipline.
Systematic theology (doctrinal theology, dogmatic theology or philosophical theology)—focused on the attempt to arrange and interpret the ideas current in the religion. This is also associated with constructive theology.
These topics crop up repeatedly in Christian theology; composing the main recurrent 'loci' around which Christian theological discussion revolves.
Bible (Holy Scripture) – the nature and means of itsinspiration, etc.; includinghermeneutics (the development and study of theories of the interpretation and understanding of texts and the topic ofBiblical law in Christianity)
Eschatology – the study of thelast things, orend times. Covers subjects such as death and theafterlife, the end ofhistory, the end of the world, thelast judgment, the nature of hope and progress, etc.
Christology – the study ofJesusChrist, of his nature(s), and of the relationship between his divinity and humanity;
Divine providence – the study of sovereignty, superintendence, or agency of God over events in people's lives and throughout history.
Apophatic theology – negative theology which seeks to describe God by negation (e.g.,immutable,impassible ). It is the discussion of what God isnot, or the investigation of how language about God breaks down. Apophatic theology often is contrasted with "Cataphatic theology".
ThePope (i.e., belief that the Pope is the successor ofSt. Peter, the "rock" on which the Church is built, and therefore the infallible head of Christendom);
Purgatory (a "holding place" after death where souls are purified before entering heaven);
Papal Infallibility (the Pope beinginfallible when he speaksex cathedra, that is, when he speaks in his magisterial capacity to the whole Church on a matter of faith or morals);
Christians have had theological disagreements since the time ofJesus. Theological disputes have given rise to manyschisms and differentChristian denominations, sects and movements.
Pelagianism – denial of original sin and helplessness of sinner to save himself, strong affirmation of libertarian free will
Semi-Pelagianism – developed as a compromise between Pelagianism and Augustinianism, the Eastern Orthodox Church is accused of believing in it by the Roman Catholic Church.
Because the Reformation promoted the idea that Christians could expound their own views of theology based on the notion of "sola scriptura," the Bible alone, many theological distinctions have occurred between the various Protestant denominations. The differences between many of the denominations are relatively minor; however, and this has helpedecumenical efforts in recent times.
Calvinism – System of soteriology advanced byFrenchReformerJohn Calvin, which espousesAugustinian views on election and reprobation; stresses absolutepredestination, the sovereignty of God and the inability of man to effect his own salvation by believing the Gospel prior toregeneration; principle doctrines are often summarized by the acronymTULIP (seeCanons of Dort).
Charismaticism – Movement in many Protestant and some Catholic churches that emphasizes thegifts of the Spirit and the continual working of the Holy Spirit within the body of Christ; often associated withglossolalia (i.e., speaking in tongues) anddivine healing.
Congregationalism – Form of governance used in Congregationalist, Baptist, and Pentecostal churches in which each congregation is self-governing and independent of all others.
Deism – The general doctrine that no faith is necessary for justified belief in God's existence or the doctrine that God does not intervene in earthly affairs (contrasts withFideism).
Dispensationalism – Belief in a conservative, Biblically literalisthermeneutic andphilosophy of history that, by stressing the dichotomy between Israel and the Church, rejects supersessionism (commonly referred to as "replacement theology").
Evangelicalism – Typically conservative, predominantly Protestant outlook that prioritizesevangelism above all or most other activities of the Church (see alsoneo-evangelicalism).
Fideism – The doctrine that faith is irrational, that God's existence transcends logic, and that all knowledge of God is on the basis of faith (contrasts withDeism).
Pietism – A stream ofLutheranism placing renewed emphasis on the Bible and a universal priesthood of all believers.
Presbyterianism – Form of governance used in Presbyterian and Reformed churches.
Puritanism: Movement to cleanse Episcopalianism of any "ritualistic" aspects.
Supersessionism – Belief that the Christian Church, the body of Christ, is the only elect people of God in the new covenant age (see alsocovenant theology).
Ultramontanism – A movement within 19th-century Roman Catholicism to emphasize papal authority, particularly in the wake of the French Revolution and the secularization of the state
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The purpose of the International Academy of Practical Theology is the study of and critical reflection on practical theological thought and action.[3] This critical reflection should be pursued with attention to the various historical and cultural contexts in which practical theology is done. Out of respect for the diversity of these contexts, the academy seeks to promote international, interracial, and ecumenical dialogue and understanding.
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