Introduction To Theology — 2

This article is the second part of the theology series.

Just as a master builder employs different tools for different aspects of construction, so the serious student of Scripture approaches God’s Word through complementary theological lenses. Each type of theology serves a distinct yet interconnected purpose. We will be taking a look at four types of theology that serve different purposes for the common goal of knowing God and understanding the Christian faith.

1. Biblical Theology

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son… (Heb. 1:1–2)

Biblical theology is centered directly upon the Scriptures themselves. It traces God’s revelation progressively through the biblical narrative, from Genesis to Revelation. Rather than focusing on specific topics, biblical theology asks questions such as: How does divine truth unfold over time? How does God reveal Himself across ages and dispensations?

Instead of pulling verses from all over Scripture to answer a question, biblical theology usually examines a single book, author, or section of Scripture and asks how it presents God’s truth. For instance:

• What is the theology of the Psalms?
• How does Paul’s corpus (the Pauline epistles) develop doctrine?
• What does the Gospel of John uniquely reveal about Christ?

The goal is to see how God revealed Himself gradually throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology helps us trace this progressive revelation and see how the Old Testament points forward to Christ and the New Testament reveals Him as the fulfillment of God’s plan.

2. Systematic Theology

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work 2 Tim. 3 vs 16–17**

Systematic theology organizes all of Scripture’s teaching on specific topics into coherent, comprehensive categories. Rather than focusing on a single biblical book or tracing truth chronologically, systematic theology examines the Bible as a whole and organizes its teachings by topic. Making it possible to see everything Scripture says about a particular doctrine in one comprehensive view.

For instance, systematic theology might gather everything Scripture says about angels (**angelology), sin ([hamartiology](https://www.gotquestions.org/hamartiology.html)), salvation ([soteriology](https://www.gotquestions.org/soteriology.html)), or the end times ([eschatology](https://www.gotquestions.org/eschatology.html)**). This makes it easier to understand what the Bible as a whole teaches on certain subjects. This systematic approach enables us to construct a unified, biblically grounded understanding of what the whole counsel of God declares on any given topic.

3. Historical Theology

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints Jude 3

Historical theology examines how Christians throughout the ages have understood Scripture and articulated doctrine. It studies how theological teachings developed, how the early church confronted heresies, and how different traditions have interpreted foundational biblical truths across two millennia of church history. This discipline considers

• The deliberations of early church councils
• The writings of the church fathers (Athanasius, Augustine, and Chrysostom)
• The courageous work of Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin
• The theological battles fought to preserve orthodox truth

Historical theology helps us appreciate the fierce struggles believers endured to defend biblical truth, such as the monumental defense of Christ’s full divinity at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, or the Reformation’s recovery of justification by faith alone.

Historical theology demonstrates how the Christian faith has been preserved, transmitted, and guarded across generations, often at great cost despite relentless challenges from error, heresy, and apostasy.

4. Practical Theology:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1 vs 22**

Practical theology focuses on living out biblical truth. It closes the circle by applying truth to everyday life. It concerns itself with preaching, worship, counseling, missions, leadership, and Christian ethics. Practical theology emphasizes that knowing about God must lead to living for Him.

Without practical theology, all the knowledge we gain could remain in our heads without ever changing how we live. Practical theology ensures that belief leads to action in love, service, and obedience to Christ.

Why Study Theology?

1. To Deepen Our Knowledge and Understanding of God

God wants us to know and understand Him. And the primary means by which He reveals Himself is through His Word. One of the stories that often comes to mind is the story of Samuel’s encounter with God. He served in the tabernacle without recognizing the voice of God. Not until God revealed Himself to him. You can read up on the story in 1 Samuel 3 vs 1–19. (Emphasis on verse 19–21). The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel by His Word. Like I said in the first series, the study of theology, accompanied by prayer, will definitely birth a genuine knowledge of God in us.

2. To Worship God accurately

Our worship is as true and aligned as the knowledge of God that we possess. Worship is our response to the revelation of Jesus. Worship was a big deal in the Old Testament days, to the extent that the Samaritan woman asked Jesus a question that had troubled her mind (John 4 vs 19–24). Jesus made a statement in verse 22: You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. It’s impossible to worship without knowledge. We won’t be wrong to call such practice idolatry. Worship is humanity’s response to divine revelation. The clarity of your revelation determines the quality of your response.

3. To Proclaim and Defend the Faith

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 1 Peter. 3 vs 15

We must be able to give reasons for the gospel we believe. Beyond proclaiming our conviction in what Christ has done, are we able to articulate what He has done for us? The word “defense” used in 1 Peter 3 vs 15 is the Greek apologia — a legal term for presenting a reasoned case. We are called to be an advocate for truth, equipped to articulate and defend what we believe and why.

Here are a few reasons we should study for the gospel’s sake:

• Evangelism — proclaiming the gospel with clarity, conviction, and compelling power
• Discipleship — grounding new believers in foundational truth so they can withstand error
• Apologetics — defending the faith against skepticism, accusation, and intellectual assault

Consider Paul’s example in Athens: “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, ‘We will hear you again about this’” (Acts 17:32). Paul engaged philosophers on their own turf, cited their poets, traced redemptive history, and proclaimed Christ with theological precision — all because he knew his Scripture (Acts 17:10–34).

Or examine Stephen’s defense in Acts 7 — an entire sermon structured as biblical theology, tracing God’s redemptive work from Abraham through the prophets to Christ. His theology was so sound, so biblical, so convicting that his accusers could only silence him through violence.

We will always need power to witness the gospel, but power will never excuse the lack of precise and accurate knowledge.