by Rev. Donald MacLean, Glasgow
I. The Idea of Theological Science
In writing a series of articles on the doctrines of Christianity, it will be useful to give a preliminary survey of the general idea of Theological Science.
The word “Theology” is a compound of two Greek words which means “a discourse concerning God”. Theology is concerned, therefore, with discovering and setting forth all that can be known of God and, as the subject matter transcends all other forms of knowledge as the heavens are above the earth, theology has sometimes been termed the “Queen of the Sciences”. It is a matter of great regret that the development of theology in modern times has led to the loss of this crown in the world of learning, while among ordinary people, the subject has been regarded with distaste as either irrelevant to their lives and prospects or without a solid foundation for its credibility.
The development referred to may be briefly summed up by saying that instead of God in His existence and activities being the subject matter of theology, the emphasis shifted to the consideration of the religious phenomenon manifested by humanity at large, or observable in the souls of believers. Dogmas were no longer authoritative statements made about God, but conceptions of religious experiences felt by men and set forth as formal statements. As, therefore, the shifting sands of religious consciousness became the material for theological study, the science lost its scope and authority, its teachings became uncertain, and its glory and beauty departed.
Wherever the true Church of Christ is to be found, theology will continue to have its proper place and function. Like every other science, it divides itself up naturally and usefully into its various sections or disciplines, having in view a full-orbed presentation of the subject matter, which is the knowledge of God.
Apologetics
The first discipline is called Apologetics, which prepares the way for all theology by dealing with the presuppositions upon which true theology is based — that there is a God, that man has a religious nature, that God has revealed Himself, and that such a revelation is contained in the Scriptures. Apology is not the same thing. Apology means the defence of a particular part of Christianity against attack from those outside the Church. As indicated above, the sweep of Apologetics is much broader and leads to the Scriptures being placed in our hands for our reverent study.
Exegetical Theology
Exegetical Theology is the discipline which takes the Scriptures and investigates their meaning. This involves the study of the Scriptures in the original tongues to discover their meaning and interpretation. In this way a body of truth is built up, and the gradual development of revealed truth traced through different biblical writers and stages.
Historical Theology
Historical Theology embraces a new sphere of study. It investigates the progressive realisation of Christianity in the lives, worship and thoughts of men, and gives a history of Christianity. This history includes the attempts made in Christian worship and creed-making by men in the past, and points to the value as well as to the failures of such attempts.
Systematic Theology
Systematic Theology is concerned with setting forth in a systematic way what is known of God. It gathers up into one the knowledge found in the Scriptures given to it by Apologetics, having its meaning and interpretation expounded by the exegete, while being warned and encouraged by the historian. Systematics stands thus at the apex of the mountain from which it has a good vantage point to survey the whole landscape of revealed truth and place it in scientific form.
Practical or Pastoral Theology
Practical or Pastoral Theology deals with the application of the truths set forth by Systematic Theology in the lives of men, and their existence together in the Church of God.
In some circles there is an outcry against theology and a loud call to get back to what are called the “simplicities” of the Bible. Despite its claim to spirituality, this idea is both unspiritual and unintelligent. In discarding the wisdom of the past, it chooses to ignore the labours of eminent men raised up by God for the very purpose of expounding divine Truth which forms the basis for the abiding faith of the living Church of God. It is true that modern theology, being so largely dependent on various modern philosophies and critical techniques, makes difficult reading. This is due to the widespread forsaking of biblical categories. If a firm hold is kept of Scripture, there is no need to be darkening counsel in this way. Of the Divine Redeemer whose thoughts are a great deep we read that “the common people heard him gladly”.
Since theology deals with the things of God, it is essential that the theologian be spiritually enlightened by the Spirit of God. No gifts of any other description can make up for this fundamental lack. The unregenerate man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God. Indeed, they are foolishness to him. He cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned. When therefore such a man enters the realm of theology and proceeds to write on these subjects, nothing can be expected but the fruits of spiritual darkness. On the other hand, one whose eyes have been anointed with the divine eye-salve sees, appreciates and loves the truths of Jehovah and writes about them with energy and affection.
“How sweet unto my taste, O Lord
are all thy words of truth!
Yea, I do find them sweeter far
than honey to my mouth.”
(Ps. 119 : 103.)