Introduction to Theology and Faith Concepts

Introduction to Theology

• Faith is being in love with God, in an unrestricted way.
• It is a self-surrender without limits or qualifications.
• This love is the fulfillment of our capacity for self-transcendence.
• It dismantles established horizons of knowing and choosing, building a new horizon where God's love transforms our values and knowledge.
• It is a conscious dynamic state of love, joy, peace, manifested in acts of kindness, goodness, fidelity, gentleness, and self-control.

Faith & Belief

• Faith is similar to belief, both involving a commitment to God's will and trust in His truth.
• Belief is a firm acceptance of something without proof.
• Faith is a deeper commitment, involving action and confidence.
• Faith is a combination of belief, action, and confidence.
• James stated that faith without action is dead and useless.

Types of Faith

• Informative Faith (Head): Understanding and knowing the teachings
• Formative/Transformative Faith (Heart): Internalizing and engaging with the teachings.
• Performative Faith (Hand): Acting on the teachings, putting them into practice.

Revelation and Theology

• Revelation is a complex reality, a manifestation and communication of God
• It accomplishes God's designs in human history, translating God's message into human terms through prophets and Christ to illuminate saving events.

Theology as a Discipline

• It is contextual and reflects on the Gospel message in specific historical situations.
• It is a critical discipline with its own methods and specialties.
• There are two functions: Positive and Speculative.

The Positive Function of Theology

• Assumes the Auditus Fidei (listening, hearing) at a scientific level.
• Promotes to the scientific level the faith that enters through hearing, gained through preaching and catechism.
• Assures a sufficient knowledge of the object of faith.

The Speculative Function of Theology

• Reflects on the truth of faith in a methodical and systematic way.
• Represents the Intellectus Fidei (understanding, comprehension).
• Collates and systematizes the data of revelation from scripture, tradition, and the magisterium.
• Deepens initial experiences of the mystery of faith, pursuing and understanding revealed truth.
• The auditus fidei drives and motivates the intellectus fidei.

Theological Disciplines (Functional Specialities)

• Research
• Interpretation
• History
• Dialectic
• Foundations
• Doctrines
• Systematics
• Communications

Traditional Division of Theological Disciplines

• Fundamental and Apologetic theology
• Dogmatic/Systematic theology
• Biblical theology, Patristic theology, and Moral theology
• Liturgical theology, and Spiritual theology
• Pastoral theology, Missionary theology, and Ecumenical theology

Fundamental Theology

• Establishes historical and philosophical grounds for fundamental doctrines of faith.
• It presupposes revelation.

Natural or Philosophical Theology

• Explores what can be known about the divine through philosophical reflection.
• Relies on natural reason, not on revelation.

Apologetics

• Seeks to engage in dialogue with culture by demonstrating the reasonableness of Christian faith and its teachings.

Biblical Theology

• Investigates Christianity's sacred writings, exploring the story of Israel, the early Christian community, and the development of its theological language.
• It recognizes the diversity of theological perspectives within scripture and acknowledges the need for interpretation.

Historical Theology

• Studies the development of the church's faith and theological language across historical periods.
• Includes subfields like patristic theology, medieval theology, Reformation-era theology, and modern theology.

Moral Theology

• Examines what it means to live a life in Christ guided by the Holy Spirit, encompassing personal and social dimensions of Gospel living.

Pastoral Theology

• Includes various disciplines that nurture and deepen the practical life Christians and their communities.
• Liturgical theology focuses on the theology and expression of the church's worship.
• Spirituality explores different expressions of prayer, discipleship, service, and growth in the spirit.

Systematic Theology

• Seeks to understand and clarify the central doctrines of the faith, showing their relationships.
• Expands upon the church's doctrinal tradition, connecting it to scripture and historical development.
• Aims to improve communication of the mystery of salvation and engage with culture.
• It's evangelical in its desire to relate faith to culture.

Concerns of Systematic Theology

• Understanding the meaning and truth of basic Christian doctrines.
• Showing how doctrines relate to each other.
• Being comprehensive in its understanding of the faith.

Doctrines vs. Systematics

• Doctrines aim for a clear and distinct affirmation of religious truths.
• Systematics aims for an understanding of the religious realities affirmed by doctrines.
• Doctrines are primarily about judgment and affirmation, while systematics involve understanding and interpretation.