Christian theology

Christian theology is the theology that leads back to Jesus Christ as the Word of God (logos theou ). Christian theology sees itself traditionally and historically as a science equivalent specialized area of which is divided according to the various Christian denominations.

  • 2.1 Catholic Theology
  • 2.2 Protestant Theology
  • 2.3 Orthodox Theology
  • 2.4 Free Church theologies
  • 3.1 Teaching Institutions
  • 3.2 Distance Learning
  • 3.3 Financial Statements
  • 3.4 methodology

General Christian Theology

The Christian theology represents the self, to make a scientific examination of the sources of Christian faith and practice of the faith as well as to provide the representation of Christian faith and its systematic analysis. The science faculty of theology is controversial. Questions of philosophy of science of theology are in the subspecialty of fundamental theology, which is a sub-discipline of systematic theology, treated.

A first overview of the many different disciplines of Christian theology University are the rough outline:

  • I. Biblical Theology,
  • II Historical Theology,
  • III. Systematic Theology,
  • IV Practical Theology.

However, the delineation of the four main fields and the allocation of individual disciplines may differ depending on the denomination.

Biblical Theology

Starting point all talk about God is for Christians of all denominations, the Bible. For example, employs a large proportion of university theological research and teaching with biblical writings.

  • Biblical exegesis is called the translation, study and interpretation of biblical texts with the help of certain exegetical methods. Hermeneutics is generally a scientific reflection on condition and possibility of understanding: here of biblical texts, especially as a reflection on the methodology of exegesis.
  • Introduction Science is the part of the Bible research, trying to lighten their origin (authors, traditions, place, time, circumstances ), so as to provide the necessary background knowledge for exegesis.

The exegesis is divided traditionally into the two main parts of the Bible, the Old and the New Testament. There are the subregions introduction, history, theology and ethics to both subjects. The exact definition is often not possible because the origin of the Bible can be understood only from the history of Israel out, as well as theology and ethics that can not be separated.

  • Old Testament: Introduction to the Old Testament
  • History of Israel
  • Theology of the Old Testament
  • Ethics of the Old Testament
  • Introduction to the New Testament
  • History of Early Christianity
  • Theology of the New Testament
  • Ethics of the New Testament.

The connection between the two " wills " is often also negotiates primarily in the Reformation theology under the name of 'biblical theology'. This includes the Jewish Studies for the period "between" the wills, which was formerly considered rather than the edge region and underestimated in its importance for the exegesis of the Bible.

Historical Theology

This generic term usually includes the church and the history of dogma. Today, it is often preferred as a collective term compared to the previous field of " church history ", but does not designate a separate subject area. He is an interdisciplinary branch, are treated in the historic working theology divisions.

See especially:

  • Historical Theology
  • Church History
  • Church historian
  • History of Religion
  • History of Economic Thought ( theology and history )
  • History of ecumenism
  • Historical development level in the items Christianity
  • Chronology of the Christian churches, denominations and special groups Chronology of the History of the Baptist
  • Chronology of the History of the Baptists

Denominational differences may show up in the different age structure and different weighting of individual epochs.

Systematic Theology

  • Fundamental Theology is the fundamental reflection of the characteristics of the Christian faith and its differentiation from other worldviews and religions. With regard to the latter it was formerly called apologetics. This term is also a historical epoch of Christian Theology ( 2nd and 3rd centuries ) because the explanation and especially defense of Christian beliefs against their critics in the Roman Empire played a major role in it.
  • Dogmatics reflects the content of the Christian faith and makes them (based usually on the order of the creeds ) systematically dar. Today we distinguish the following sub- areas / tracts: Theological anthropology creatureliness, likeness, Fall, justification of man
  • God teaching word and concept "God" in general; the Judeo- Christian God; Creation, providence, omnipotence, His Father, Trinity, etc.
  • Christology is the reflection and interpretation of the person of Jesus Christ.
  • Soteriology is the reflection about the salvation which is connected with the person of Jesus Christ.
  • Pneumatology is the study of and reflection on the Holy Spirit.
  • Ecclesiology is the reflection on the nature and reality of the Church in the light of their theological determination.
  • Doctrine of the sacraments is the reflection on the sacraments in general and the presentation of seven individual sacraments.
  • Eschatology (formerly the doctrine of the " last things ") is the reflection on the hope of the consummation of the world and the perfection of the individual, arising from faith.

Practical Theology

This area is considered part of the practice of the Church and Christian action, eg Service, social welfare, liturgy, pastoral care, etc.

  • Pastoral Theology
  • Homiletics is the sermon teaching.
  • Liturgy ( Liturgical Studies and comparative liturgical studies ) deals - sung as spoken - forms of worship.
  • Catechetics, Religious Education, Christian Education concerns the mediation of Christian content outside of worship.
  • Pastoral Care is reflection on the pastoral care.
  • Oikodomik is the doctrine of the church building.
  • Diakonik or Diaconal Studies and Caritas science is a field that in the deacon training takes precedence.
  • Missiology is now linked very closely with ecumenism.
  • Church music is music with theological aspects; within a theological studies it overlaps strongly with liturgy.
  • Church architecture is a theological aspects.
  • Christian archeology is actually Archaeology; a main focus are excavations in Palestine.
  • Christian journalism: theological journalism.
  • Church law: the Jura region within theology.
  • Asceticism: relates to the theology of the spiritual life, especially in the Catholic area of religious communities.

Furthermore, it can in practical theology called " pastoral theology " come to understanding difficulties, as with " pastoral theology " in the Protestant practical theology really only the person of the minister will take a close look, while in the Catholic practical theology, the whole field of practical theology can be simply defined as the "ministry " means.

Finally, it should be noted that the assignment of the individual child subjects to parent disciplines is sometimes uncertain and may well also be made differently, partly consist overlap and duplication lungs. The internal cohesion of the individual sub- areas among themselves, which have evolved through the acquisition of various paradigms apart and continue to diverge, to the Theological Encyclopedia ensure ( so at least in the Protestant theology ).

Denominational theologies

Catholic Theology

See the main article of Catholic Theology

Catholic theology sees itself as a constructive reflection and scientific presentation of the Christian faith and associated items. Central for a survey of the religious figure, the Bible as a fundamental Book of Revelation, tradition, beliefs of the tradition, especially dogmatized decisions and statements of the Magisterium of the Church, and also the sense of the faith of all believers. The individual sub- disciplines have more far-reaching areas of responsibility. The dogmatics discussed about the definition of the faith against heretical beliefs, she and other disciplines such as theological ethics are in dialogue with any form of ideological doctrines. In concert, the sciences have the theological disciplines specific methods, objects and tasks. Within the community of faith of the Church 's theology of the present and future of faith is.

According to Catholic understanding, is also the tradition as a source of insight for theology in addition to the revealed truth of Scripture. Under this faith tradition is both the oral (eg, for centuries spoken prayers ), writing (eg, Church Fathers, texts of church meetings ) and the practical (eg gestures in the liturgy, which refer to beliefs ) tradition to understand. According to Catholic understanding dogmas must not be taken directly from the Bible because the Church was before the Scriptures and has compiled certain books of the Bible in virtue of their authority. However dogmas must not contradict the statements of Scripture.

The theology binds to those established by the Magisterium of the Church teaching decisions ( dogmas ). The unofficial doctrinal decisions do not in principle beyond what is revealed in the Bible, but they clarify the understanding of what is due out in the Bible. The study of theology is usually a prerequisite for admission to the priesthood.

Protestant Theology

See the main article of Protestant Theology

Evangelical theology is based on the attested in Scripture salvation through faith in the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the people. It continues not only to the dogmas and symbols of the Old Church, but is also influenced by the career of the great reformers. Mention may be made especially Martin Luther, Zwingli, John Calvin. In particular, the justification by faith ( sola fide ) and grace ( sola gratia ) is a central topic evangelical. In addition, the Reformation has any defects of scholasticism weighted more and the focus of the theology on Scripture and relocated the "what driveth Christ " ( sola scriptura, solus Christus ).

The Protestant theology differs from the Catholic theology fundamentally that it knows no parent church teaching that defines the truth of faith dogmatic. Therefore dogma in the Protestant theology refers to the ever- renewing substrate of the theological and ecclesiastical discussion process. This discussion process is understood as an ongoing interpretation of the Scriptures, the source of faith and thus standard of theological reflection are. The scientific theology is an important factor in this process of discussion, but not alone instructive forming. What is taught in the Protestant church, decide the elected church governing bodies (eg, presbyteries, synods ) due to theological reflection and prayer.

Accordingly, in the Protestant theology there are different provisions of the Closer theology the term:

Common to all these models is that they determine the theology primarily from the dogmatic reflection ago. This but the other theological disciplines can not be excluded. These can be as dogmatic serving disciplines understood or even as their own counter-proposals of theology, especially as the exegetical disciplines. Exegetes, so are often referred to as the actual biblical theologians within the meaning of the Reformation, because theology had to be guided solely by the interpretation of biblical texts. This is of course ignored that even the models shown dogmatic claim to be genuine interpretations of the biblical texts.

Today the efforts of Protestant theology is felt to engage in ecumenism and to overcome the confessional age in which even from Christian motives wars are fought.

Orthodox Theology

Specific to the Orthodox theology, the close connection between dogma and spiritual experience, the importance of the Church Fathers, especially those of the East, and the importance of Orthodox worship as the source of the dogmatic tradition. Orthodox theology is in fact less speculation rather than a " science of the experience of God " ( Bishop Hilarion Alfejev, mystery of faith ). Since the orthodox theology of the ancient philosophy, particularly Greece, rejects and their terminology is not trying to use the orthodox theology appears somewhat fragmented and unstructured. In addition, because of the Orthodox understanding of the church does not exist, what is called development of dogma in Western Christendom, so that always the first ecumenical councils are in the foreground. Only since recently, also finds the specific social dimension of faith in orthodox theology attention.

The Eastern Orthodox theology sees itself as the attempt within the concrete ecclesial life a deeper understanding of the find through Jesus Christ once and for all the apostles revealed and since then traditional faith, the core of this tradition is the Bible. Most Orthodox theologians are no priests or monks but laymen. Typical of orthodox theology are: the frequent reference to statements of the liturgy; the marked individual coloring by individual theologians personality, but without strong " schools " formation; the consideration of theology as a gift from God for the Holy Spirit filled people (the so pass on the blessing), not so much as one of professional theologians to be operated science; a conservative (but not fundamentalist ) attitude. Major Orthodox theologians in the 20th century were, for example John of Kronstadt, Georgi Florovsky, Alexander Schmemann, Seraphim Rose and John Zizioulas.

Free Church theologies

In most free churches the Bible is considered as the sole basis for theology. The theology of free churches generally results from the humanistic- Reformation approach (ad fontes ) to examine the resulting in church history tradition from Scripture and evaluate. This free church theology is largely based on the backbone of Reformation theology. With the wide variety of free churches, the theological positions partly vary considerably. Despite the pursuit of religious freedom are often denominational priorities determined, in turn, lead to formation of tradition.

Education and qualifications

Theology is an academic discipline that can be studied. However, this is usually sufficient not to work in church ministry as a theologian can. Required is in fact in addition to studying a practical pastoral training. Catholic theologians do therefore regularly right after studying a " pastoral year " to learn the practical Seelsorgstätigkeiten. Priesthood candidates take the pastoral year always before their ordination, usually immediately prior to the diaconate. With free-church universities and educational institutions, this pastoral training part, however, is already integrated into the study.

For evangelical theologians the Vicariate is a prerequisite for ordination. The Vicariate is a second training phase, in which practical activities alternate in a church community with courses in a seminary. It concludes with the removed of a church board of examiners second theological examination. The Vicariate corresponds to the chaplain of the Catholic priest, immediately following his ordination and in which the state minister exam is to be taken.

Teaching institutions

Theology is taught as a scientific discipline in Germany, Austria and Switzerland at the university and in church (technical) universities. The individual faculties, departments and institutes are geared denominational. Therefore, there are Protestant, Roman Catholic and Old Catholic state schools and church (technical) universities.

In German-speaking countries can Orthodox theology at the training facility for Orthodox theology at the Ludwig -Maximilians -Universität München be studied as an independent study course with a corresponding diploma. Since 2002, employees have the opportunity to complete a study of Orthodox theology with an emphasis on Coptic Orthodox theology and the BA degree in theology at the Theological Institute of the monastery Kröffelbach. In addition, a Department of Orthodox Theology at the Westfälische Wilhelms -Universität Münster, a chair for Orthodox Christianity at the University of Erfurt exists.

There are also in the non-state and free-church, a series of independent theological colleges or institutions offering the study of theology. This includes, for example, the State Independent Evangelical School of Theology ( STH ) Basel ( statements: M. Th; opportunity to graduate ). Since 2008, the Free School of Theology casting is the first evangelical, government- approved university in Germany ( Degrees: BA and MA). Both institutes are denominationally independent.

Furthermore, there are also institutions which are denominational. These include the Methodist Theological Seminary in Reutlingen, the Adventist Theological College Friedensau in Möckern - Friedensau near Magdeburg, the Theological Seminary / University of Applied Sciences of the Union of Evangelical Free Churches / Baptist Wustermark - Elstal in Berlin and the Mennonite training and conference center Bienenberg in Liestal Switzerland.

In other free-church sector, the training of pastors and preachers primarily takes place on Theological seminaries. These include the the Federation of Free Evangelical Churches in Germany associated Theological Seminary in Ewersbach or the Theological Seminary of the Federal Berea Pentecostal Churches in Erzhausen near Darmstadt. As a free work within the Evangelical Church offers the Theological Seminary Adelhofen a master's degree in practical theology in conjunction with the University of South Africa on ( Degree: M. Th ).

The universities exhibit some distinctly different characteristics. Thus, some faculties are traditionally Lutheran or reformed oriented or stand in a pietistic tradition. Sometimes these priorities are set by special chairs. For example, has the Evangelical Theological Faculty of the Friedrich -Alexander -University Erlangen -Nuremberg over a Chair of Reformed theology.

Distance learning

Correspondence courses in Catholic theology are addressed to Catholic laymen and interested distance learning, coupled with regionally scattered study weeks and weekends. For some ecclesiastical and pastoral professions of course attendance is required. All other participants may, but need not undergo examination. The individual theological correspondence courses are structured differently, but offer to usually basic course, advanced course and specialization courses. The oldest theological correspondence course the Catholic Church in German-speaking countries, the systematic- theological introduction to the Christian faith is dedicated to, correspondence course for Theological Education in Vienna offered by the Institute (since 1950). He emerged from the Vienna Theology, founded in 1940 price of the Archdiocese of Vienna and is supported by the Austrian Bishops' Conference. In the Austrian Church of the course completion is a prerequisite for some non-academic pastoral occupations (deacon, pastoral ( in ), hospital chaplaincy ). In Switzerland, since 1956 offers the Inter Diocesan Theological Association courses for lay Catholics ( TKL - KGK ) an appropriate theological distance education theologiekurse.ch to. In Germany, which is under church- theology course in correspondence course of the Catholic Academy of Würzburg Cathedral School is offered and supported since 1970. Especially for permanent deacons, catechists, parish Speaker ( inn ) en and religion teacher (s) is the " Würzburg correspondence course " recognized as theological training for a church career, but only on condition that the home diocese previously approved the study and successful completion of a has provided employment prospect. The theological correspondence courses in Vienna, Zurich and Wurzburg offer comparable in scope and objective introduction to Catholic theology. The completion of the course in Vienna or Zurich is therefore recognized by "Theology in the correspondence course " for the basic and advanced course.

In Protestant area a theological distance education offered by distance education Ecclesiastical of the Church Province of Saxony in Magdeburg. It involved the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mecklenburg, the Pomeranian Evangelical Church, the Evangelical Church of Berlin- Brandenburg -Silesian Upper Lusatia, the Evangelical - Lutheran Church of Saxony, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thuringia, the Evangelical Church of Anhalt and the Evangelical Church of the Union. In addition, at the level of the Protestant EKD job correspondence course for church ministries responsible.

Orthodox theology can not be proven in the context of distance education in the German-speaking countries. In the U.S., however, offer the Pavel Florensky School of Theology and Ministry of Euclid University, two educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and the Antiochian Orthodox Diocese of North America to a corresponding distance education. The distance learning university of Finland, Avoinyliopisto, has teamed up with the University of Joensuu in a distance education program of the Orthodox theology.

Statements

In the course of the Bologna process, most Protestant theological faculties have modularized the study of theology in spite of opposition from students and converted to the new bachelor or partially Bachelor of Theology and Master or partially Master of Theology, especially as this on many free Church educational institutions that cooperate with universities in the Anglo-American world, already previously been the case. The Roman Catholic Church has, however, decided that the graduate degree program to modularize Catholic theology, but to keep him as a five-year full-time study, which then concludes with the academic degree of Magister Theologiae. In the House of Studies in St. Lambert Lantershofen, as a central training facility of all the German dioceses, and religious communities so-called " late- appointed " men can study without leaving examination Catholic theology with the aim of priesthood from the age of 25. Requirement is a completed vocational training. In the training institution of Orthodox Theology of the University of Munich one intends to go the same way as the Roman Catholic Church and to create a master Theologiae as a five-year full-time study.

Methodology

The theological study of the faith is peculiar especially for Christianity and Judaism, as the theoretical reflection of faith is deeply rooted in the tradition of these religions. This reflection is from the Christian and Jewish perspective, not only in itself, but necessary for the religious practice of the Church or the individual municipalities.

Many of the usual in theology analysis systems and methods are also used in the field of linguistics, philosophy, or the science of history. This allows the scientific discourse between evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, atheist and heterodox scientists as it is for example in the history of religion and in the Biblical Studies ( Exegesis ) usual. However, each has their specific theology in the way how they defined their "object " ( material object ) and its methodological approach ( formal object ).

The study of theology is usually divided into the following sub-disciplines:

  • Biblical exegesis: General methodological issues, partly also information of bible studies. ( Same as at some faculties with chairs for the Old or New Testament. )
  • Old Testament: The interpretation of the Old Testament historical and philological methods.
  • New Testament: The Interpretation of the New Testament with historical and philological methods.
  • Fundamental Theology: The scientific question of the justification of faith from reason. Also general characteristics of faith from their own denomination come in comparison to other world views discussed. The separation of fundamental theology and dogmatics is common especially in Catholic theology. There are different models in the Protestant theology.
  • Dogmatics: Scientific inquiry into history, form, and content of the Christian faith as it is summarized eg in creeds and doctrinal decisions.
  • Ethics: The scientific question about the shape and justification of the Christian ethos. Often divided into an anthropological individual ethics and social science social ethics.

Reception

Critics consider theology as pseudoscience. or see it as unscientific.

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