Theology
The systematic study of God and religious truth as a source of evidence and framework for understanding.
Biblical Studies
Rigorous analysis of Scripture provides foundational evidence for Christian theism:
- Textual Criticism: The New Testament possesses unparalleled manuscript attestation among ancient documents, with over 5,800 Greek manuscripts enabling reconstruction of the original text with remarkable precision.
- Historical Reliability: Archaeological discoveries consistently corroborate biblical accounts; the Gospels exhibit marks of eyewitness testimony and early dating.
- Literary Analysis: Genre-sensitive interpretation reveals sophisticated literary structures and theological depth; recognition of diverse genres (narrative, poetry, prophecy, apocalyptic) enables appropriate hermeneutical approaches.
- Canonical Coherence: Despite diverse authorship across centuries, Scripture exhibits remarkable thematic unity pointing toward divine orchestration.
Systematic Theology
The coherent articulation of Christian doctrine demonstrates internal consistency and explanatory power:
- Doctrine of God: Classical theism's conception of God as necessary, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and perfectly good provides the metaphysical foundation for reality.
- Christology: The doctrine of the Incarnation—God becoming human in Christ—uniquely bridges the infinite qualitative distinction between Creator and creature.
- Soteriology: The Christian understanding of salvation addresses the deepest human needs: guilt, alienation, mortality, and the longing for transcendent meaning.
- Eschatology: The doctrine of final consummation provides teleological orientation—history moves toward ultimate resolution and restoration.
Historical Theology
The development of Christian thought across centuries reveals a living tradition of intellectual engagement:
- Creedal Development: The Nicene and Chalcedonian formulations represent careful philosophical articulation of biblical revelation, demonstrating the tradition's capacity for rigorous conceptual precision.
- Apologetic Tradition: From Justin Martyr through Aquinas to contemporary philosophers, Christianity has consistently engaged the strongest intellectual challenges of each era.
- Reformation Insights: The Protestant emphasis on sola scriptura and sola fide represents recovery of biblical emphases; ongoing Catholic-Protestant dialogue enriches theological understanding.
Patristic Thought
The Church Fathers synthesized biblical revelation with classical philosophy, establishing enduring frameworks:
- Augustine: Integration of Neoplatonic insights with Christian theology; doctrine of illumination; psychological model of the Trinity; analysis of time and eternity.
- Origen: Pioneering allegorical interpretation; early systematic theology; engagement with Hellenistic philosophy.
- Athanasius: Defense of Nicene orthodoxy; articulation of the logic of salvation requiring divine Savior.
- Cappadocians: Refinement of Trinitarian terminology; distinction between ousia and hypostasis enabling coherent articulation of three-in-one.