Yesterday, I proposed six new theological categories that focus on the activity of God in history, rather than on abstract ideas about God. Hopefully, by arranging theology this way, the study of theology leads us to action, rather than to more abstraction as commonly happens with current theological studies. Studying theology this way will hopefully lead us to both know the truth and live it.

Below are the six categories again, with a little more explanation. I’ve already made one change, from “Judging” to “Justice.” I did not like “judging” but I’m not fond of “justice” either for several reasons, but mostly because it is more of a noun than a verb, and I want the categories to be verbs. Any ideas?

Also, following each explanation in parentheses is where discussion about some of the ideas from traditional Systematic Theological (ST) categories might be found.

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I’m not sure who invented the most commonly used systematic theological categories of Theology Proper, Christology, Pneumatology, Bibliology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, Eschtaology, Hamartiology, Angelology, and a few others, but it is high time to develop some new ones.

Why?

Because these categories emphasize knowing at the expense of being and doing, but following Jesus involves all three. Theology, even though it means study of God, should not stop at just “the study,” but should move on to personal change and kingdom involvement.

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I’m searching for a good approach to theology that:

1. Does justice to the Biblical narrative.
2. Places an emphasis on practice rather than just knowledge.
3. Is able to embrace not just the theological ideas of the past but also the cultural tensions of the present.
4. Is taught and lived in community.

Any ideas?

I’ve read and studied Biblical theology, systematic theology, dogmatic theology, historical theology, practical theology, and narrative theology, and while they all have their strengths, none seem to meet all three requirements above.

The reason I am searching is because I want to focus this website on its original intent. When I started Till He Comes in 2002, I wanted to focus on writing about Scripture and theology. I have somewhat strayed from that goal because I have not yet found a satisfying approach.

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