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Ross 1

Ernest A. Ross

Professor Andrew Angarita, M Div, DD.

TH 5030 Introduction to Theology

1 February 2017

Notes on Chapter 1 of
The College Student's Introduction to Theology
Theology and Its Methods

Jesus asked His disciples a question: Who do people say that I am? (Mark 8:27), Peter
Responded, You are the Messiah. In answering Jesus this way, Peter was expressing his personal
faith, but at the same time making a Theological Statement.
Jesus is teaching us in this passage the importance of what God says over what man says or
thinks, especially when it comes to Theology (personal note).

I. What is Theology?
A. What is Theology? To many, theology can seem abstract and complex because it
encompasses many different voices and concerns. Therefore we must consider the nature
of theology.
B. Definition In order to understand what we mean by theology we have to
understanding of the word in general. The Etymology of the Greek root words theos
(God) and logia (utterances, sayings or oracles) related to logos (word, discourse,
account , reasoning, study or reflection upon), tell us that theology is basically the Study
of God.
Theology concerns itself with our experience of God as a community of faith.
Theology, in the words of St. Anselm (d.1109) is... fides quaerens intellectum,
faith seeking understanding.
It is an effort to understand, interpret the faith experience and express it
linguistically and symbolically.
Theology requires faith which mediates an awareness of God.
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Theology according to Catholic Theologian Karl Rahner is... the scientific and
systematic reflection of the Church upon it's faith.
Theology is a science as well as a work of the Church.

II. Theology as a Science.


A. Theology-- the Science of God and Divine things based on Supernatural
revelation considered by the light of Christian faith. In this better and more perfect
sense, theology is the study of God based upon supernatural revelation viewed through
faith (personal note).
B. Karl Rahner has said, theology is the conscious and methodological explanation
and
explication of the divine revelation received and grasped in faith.
C. Theology can be called the Science of Faith because it's object is divine revelation
or God's self-disclosure in Jesus the Christ. As God's historical self-disclosure, that faith
experience has a conceptual element that can be expressed in language and in
propositions and concepts.
Theology's task is to articulate the conceptual elements implicit in Christian
faith even if linguistic formulation is limited and capable of more adequate
expression.
Theology works both methodologically and critically when articulating the
Christian faith experience in language and concepts.
D. Specialties and Methods-- as a science, theology proceeds methodologically in it's
investigations, and has a number of different specialties and uses many different methods
in it's task of interpreting the Christian faith. Some specialties investigate the biblical,
historical, systematic and moral theologies as well as several applied disciplines.
Biblical Theology- the task is to recover the historical meaning of the
biblical text, the meaning intended by the author, often referred to as the
literal or historical sense of the text. The biblical theologian uses a number of
historical and literary methods of investigation, such as; Historical criticism,
Form criticism, Source criticism, Redaction criticism and Textual criticism.
Historical Theology studies the development of the Church's faith and
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theological traditions in different periods of history. Good historical theology


can point out the difference between genuine development of the Church's
tradition and particular, historically conditioned expressions of a doctrine,
sacrament, or office which may need to be rethought.
Systematic Theology-

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