Introduction to Theology

Definition: The study of the nature of God and God's relationship with the world
Key concepts:
- Monotheism: belief in one God
- Trinity: God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- Incarnation: Jesus Christ as both fully human and fully divine
- Atonement: Jesus' death and resurrection as salvation for humanity
- Salvation: redemption from sin and its consequences
Theological branches:
- Systematic theology: organized and structured approach to understanding Christian doctrine
- Biblical theology: study of the Bible as a whole, focusing on its overall themes and messages
- Practical theology: application of theological principles to everyday life and ministry

Definition: The study of moral principles and values in Christianity
Key concepts:
- Theological ethics: moral principles based on Christian theology and scripture
- Moral absolutism: belief that certain moral principles are absolute and universal
- Moral relativism: belief that moral principles vary depending on cultural and personal contexts
- Virtue ethics: focus on developing good character and moral virtues
Ethical issues:
- Abortion and euthanasia
- War and violence
- Social justice and inequality
- Sexual ethics and relationships

Definition: A group of Christian churches that share a common identity, doctrine, and practices
Major denominations:
- Catholic Church: largest Christian denomination, led by the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church
- Eastern Orthodox Church: second-largest Christian denomination, originating from the Byzantine Empire
- Protestantism: diverse group of denominations that emerged from the Reformation
  - Lutheranism: founded by Martin Luther, emphasizing justification by faith
  - Calvinism: founded by John Calvin, emphasizing predestination and sovereignty of God
  - Anglicanism: originated in England, blending Catholic and Protestant traditions
Other denominations:
- Baptist: emphasizing believer's baptism and local church autonomy
- Methodist: emphasizing personal holiness and social justice
- Pentecostal: emphasizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit and spiritual experiences

Early Christianity (1st-5th centuries):
- Apostolic era: period of the apostles and the early Christian church
- Persecution and martyrdom: early Christians faced persecution and death under Roman rule
- Council of Nicaea (325 CE): established the Nicene Creed and the doctrine of the Trinity
Middle Ages (5th-15th centuries):
- Rise of the Catholic Church: the Church became a dominant institution in Europe
- Crusades: series of military campaigns to reclaim the Holy Land
- Scholasticism: intellectual movement that emphasized reason and theology
Reformation and beyond (16th-18th centuries):
- Protestant Reformation: movement led by Luther, Calvin, and others to reform the Church
- Counter-Reformation: Catholic response to the Protestant Reformation
- Missionary movements: expansion of Christianity to new regions and peoples

Apostle: a missionary and leader of the early Christian church
Canon: a collection of sacred texts recognized as authoritative by a Christian denomination
Christology: the study of the person and nature of Jesus Christ
Ecclesiology: the study of the church and its nature
Eschatology: the study of the end of the world and the final judgment
Soteriology: the study of salvation and redemption

Definition: The study of the nature of God and God's relationship with the world
Key concepts: Monotheism, Trinity, Incarnation, Atonement, Salvation

Systematic theology: Organized and structured approach to understanding Christian doctrine
Biblical theology: Study of the Bible as a whole, focusing on its overall themes and messages
Practical theology: Application of theological principles to everyday life and ministry

Definition: The study of moral principles and values in Christianity
Key concepts: Theological ethics, Moral absolutism, Moral relativism, Virtue ethics
Ethical issues: Abortion, Euthanasia, War, Violence, Social justice, Inequality, Sexual ethics, Relationships

Definition: A group of Christian churches that share a common identity, doctrine, and practices
Major denominations: Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Protestantism
Protestantism: Diverse group of denominations that emerged from the Reformation
Lutheran: Founded by Martin Luther, emphasizing justification by faith
Calvinism: Founded by John Calvin, emphasizing predestination and sovereignty of God
Anglicanism: Originated in England, blending Catholic and Protestant traditions
Other denominations: Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal

Early Christianity (1st-5th centuries): Apostolic era, Persecution and martyrdom, Council of Nicaea
Middle Ages (5th-15th centuries): Rise of the Catholic Church, Crusades, Scholasticism
Reformation and beyond (16th-18th centuries): Protestant Reformation, Counter-Reformation, Missionary movements

Apostle: A missionary and leader of the early Christian church
Canon: A collection of sacred texts recognized as authoritative by a Christian denomination
Christology: The study of the person and nature of Jesus Christ
Ecclesiology: The study of the church and its nature
Eschatology: The study of the end of the world and the final judgment
Soteriology: The study of salvation and redemption