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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