Historical Theology
The development of Christian doctrine through history—the church's ongoing reflection on God's revelation.
Medieval Period
The medieval church developed systematic theology. Scholasticism brought philosophical rigor; mysticism brought experiential depth.
Thomas Aquinas synthesized Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology. His Summa Theologiae remains a monument of systematic thought.
- Scholasticism: Anselm, Aquinas, Scotus—rigorous philosophical theology. Faith seeking understanding through careful reasoning.
- Mysticism: Bernard, Meister Eckhart, Julian of Norwich—experiential knowledge of God. The heart's knowledge complements the mind's.
- Sacraments: Developed understanding of baptism, Eucharist, and other sacraments. Grace mediated through material signs.
- Natural Theology: The Five Ways, the ontological argument—reason's path to God. Philosophy as handmaid to theology.
Reformation to Modern
The Reformation and its aftermath shaped modern Christianity. Luther's 95 Theses sparked a revolution that divided Western Christianity.
The five solas—sola scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, solus Christus, soli Deo gloria—summarize Reformation theology. The Counter-Reformation renewed Catholicism.
- Reformation: Luther, Calvin, Zwingli—sola scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia. Return to Scripture and justification by faith alone.
- Counter-Reformation: Trent, Jesuits—Catholic response and renewal. Clarification of Catholic doctrine and reform of abuses.
- Modern Theology: Liberalism, neo-orthodoxy, evangelicalism—ongoing development. The church continues to reflect on revelation in new contexts.
- Analytical Theism: The contemporary recovery of rigorous philosophical theology. Plantinga, Swinburne, Craig—faith and reason reunited.