When discussing theology, we must be aware that there are different ways within Christianity of approaching and organizing theology. Here are the most common:

Natural Theology

Knowledge about God which is derived primarily from nature. Natural theology usually places a heavy emphasis on reason and philosophy.

Biblical Theology

Knowledge about God which is derived primarily from the Bible. The structure will often be arranged around major events of people of Scripture (e.g., Theology of Early Israel, Theology of the Prophets, Theology in Psalms, Theology of Paul, etc.).

Historical Theology

Knowledge about God which is derived from studying the development of ideas over time. The structure will often be arranged around the major periods of history which brought changes to theology (e.g., Theology of the Early Church, Theology of the Imperial Church, Theology of the Middle Ages, Theology of the Enlightenment and Reformation, etc.).

Systematic Theology

Knowledge about God which attempts to incorporate and combine all of the theological sources above. The structures is often arranged around major topics or categories of ideas which theologians have agreed upon over the centuries (e.g., Bibliology, Christology, Pneumatology, Ecclesialogy, Soteriology, etc.).
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On January 7, 1855, the minister of New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, England, opened his morning sermon with the following statement:

It has been said by someone that “the proper study of mankind is man.” I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God’s elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.

There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in it’s immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, “Behold, I am wise.” But when we come to this master science, finding that our plumbline cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass’s colt; and with solemn exclamation, “I am but of yesterday, and know nothing.” No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God…

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Earlier today I criticized pastors and professors for using big words in their theological writing and teaching. I have previously written about big words in pastoral preaching.

One of the responses I anticipated (but have not yet received) is that big words are okay if they are ‘biblical’ big words like “justification” or “sanctification.”

It is often argued (and I argued this way myself in the past) that if a word is used by a Spirit-inspired author like the Apostle Paul, then rather than “dumb down” the message for our audience, we should educate them about the big words with God saw fit to include in Scripture.

In other words, if Paul wrote “justification” then we should use it too. If people don’t understand this word (or other big words of the Bible), then it is the job of the pastor or teacher to educate the people about what it means

I am all for educating people. And I do think that learning the big words of theology can help people better understand God, Scripture, this world, and themselves.

But let’s be clear about something: Paul never wrote about justification, sanctification, or any of other “big words of the Bible.” He didn’t. And neither did any other biblical author.

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That’s right. A theological prolegomena.

How’s that for blog post title?

When you saw the title, what did you immediately think? Come on, be honest.

If you are like me, you probably rolled your eyes and thought, “What is this guy trying to prove with a title like that?”

And yet as I sit here writing this, I am looking at the  first page of three different sets of Seminary class notes, all of which have have this phrase: Theological Prolegomena.

This brings up one of my primary criticisms of theology: What’s the deal with all the big words?

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