Theological Term of the Week

Historical Theology
The study of the history and development of Christian doctrine; the study of the history of what the church has believed. 

• From Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine  by Gregg Allison, eight benefits to understanding historical theology:

1. Historical theology helps the church distinguish orthodoxy from heresy.

2. Historical theology provides sound biblical interpretation and theological formulations.

3. Historical theology presents stellar examples of faith, love, courage, hope, obedience and mercy.

4. Historical theology protects against the individualism that is rampant today among Christians.

5. Historical theology not only helps the church understand the historical development of its beliefs, but enables it to express those beliefs in contemporary form.

6. Historical theology encourages the church to focus on essentials, that is, to major on those areas that have been emphasized repeatedly throughout the history of the church.

7. Historical theology gives the church hope by providing assurance that Jesus is fulfilling his promise to his people [to build his church].

8. Historical theology [enables us] to enjoy a sense of belonging to the church of the past.1

Learn more:

1. GotQuestions.org: What is historical theology?
2. Theopedia: Historical theology
3. Tim Chester: Why study historical theology
4. Sam Storms: What is Historical Theology?
5. Sam Storms: Historical Theology Series

Related terms:

• Biblical Theology
• Systematic Theology

Filed under Theology

1From Why study historical theology by Tim Chester

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Status Report: November

Sitting…on the couch in the living room.

Drinking…an after supper cup of Lady Grey tea.

Watching…the Raptors game. When the game is over, I’ll switch over to American election results. You see my priorities.

Thanking…God that the gum surgery I had yesterday went well, that I have no pain or swelling. This was minor surgery to take away a bit of gum tissue so I can have a crown fitted on a tooth that broke off, but still, I expected to feel things more than I have. 

Feeling…pleased that acetaminophen works so well as a painkiller for me. I discovered recently that I’m allergic to ibuprofen, and it’s nice to know that there’s an adequate substitute for me. (My little grandson had a bad reaction to ibuprofen a few weeks ago, too. I just get rash, he got rash and a swollen lip, too. So the Advil allergy might be genetic.) 

Getting...used to snow on the ground. Yes, winter is here and won’t be leaving until April or May.

Sharing…my thanksgiving this month at Out of the Ordinary. Read the details here.

Reading…The Intolerance of Tolerance by D. A. Carson and Seeing Beauty and Saying Beautifully: The Power of Poetic Effort in the Work of George Herbert, George Whitefield, and C. S. Lewis by John Piper. I’m reminded that these are both men that I enjoy more as speakers than writers. 

Anticipating…the birth of my fourth grandchild in one month. I’m thinking it’s time to start freezing dinners for the family to use during the early days with the new baby. But they have to be dairy-free, nut and peanut-free, with no onions, peppers or cooked veggies except spinach, carrots and tomatoes. These limitation make the task much more difficult. Any suggestions? 

Wishing…you a November filled with thanksgiving to our heavenly Father.

Heidleberg Catechism

Question 60. How are you righteous before God?

Answer: Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ. (a) Even though my conscience accuses me of having grieviously sinned against all God’s commandments, and of never having kept any of them, and even though I am still inclined to all evil, (b) nevertheless, without any merit of mine, (c) out of of mere grace, (d) God grants and imputes to me, (e) the perfect satisfaction, (f) righteousness, and holiness of Christ, (g) as if I had never sinned, nor been a sinner, and as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. (h) All I need to do is accept this gift of God with a believing heart. (i) 

(Scriptural proofs after the fold.)

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