Introduction

Alister E. McGrathHistorical Theology:

An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought

The concept of “theology”Theology = theos (God) + logos (word, discourse)Early period◦Apologetics

Middle Ages◦ Systematic analysis of the nature and purposes of

GodShift into universitiesEnlightenment: justification for academic study

of theology◦ F. D. E. Schleiermacher◦Edward Farley

The architecture of theologyBiblical studiesSystematic theology◦Peter Lombard, Four Books of the Sentences

Philosophical theologyPastoral theology◦Latin American liberation theology◦Puritan theologians

Church history◦The church within culture

Historical theologyStudy of the historical development of

Christian doctrinesRelationship to:◦Church history◦Systematic theology

The development of historical theology◦Adolf von Harnack, History of Dogma

Historical theology as a pedagogic tool◦ “state of the question” report◦ strengths and weaknesses of existing approaches◦ landmarks in the development of Christian

thinkingHistorical theology as a critical tool◦The suffering of God

Patristic writers change = imperfection; suffering = change

After World War I Protest Atheism ideas about love

A resource for systematic theology