Systematic theology is typically divided into a number of loci, or topics….Not every systematic theologian or systematic theology textbook organizes the presentation of doctrine in exactly the same way….Nevertheless, because these various loci of theology are frequently mentioned by Christian pastors and teachers, as well as in publications such as Tabletalk, it is helpful to have a guide to these loci and what each is concerned with.

Dr. R.C. Sproul well said that “everyone is a theologian.” He meant that every person has some thoughts about what is ultimate, about God. This is true even if a person’s thought is only that God does not exist. Not everyone is a professional theologian, of course, but since the theologian’s task is to think about God, once we start thinking about Him, we are engaging in the work of theology.

In church history, there have been several approaches to theology. For instance, practical theology focuses on the theology of ministry, at its best considering how we can preach, pray, and run the church in a God-centered way. Biblical theology traces the progress of divine revelation, looking at how the Lord gives various themes, institutions, and so on and then builds and expands on these things over time until they reach their fulfillment. An example here is the temple, which is given as the garden of Eden and is then lost but restored via the temple in Jerusalem, which is then fulfilled in Christ and His church.

When we hear the word theology, however, we are apt to think of systematic theology. Famously known as the “queen of the sciences,” systematic theology endeavors to present the comprehensive teaching of Scripture in an orderly, systematic way. It asks questions such as: What does the entire Bible tell us about the character of God? According to Scripture, what is the order in which the Lord applies salvation to His people? What does God’s Word say about what happens in the sacraments?

The term theology comes from the Greek words theos (God) and logos (word). In essence, then, theology is a word about God, and since God is infinite, there are actually many words to say about God and what He has done. Because of that, systematic theology is typically divided into a number of loci, or topics, that address specific facets of the person and work of the Lord as well as the nature and destiny of human beings made in His image. Not every systematic theologian or systematic theology textbook organizes the presentation of doctrine in exactly the same way, and sometimes different loci are grouped together under a larger category. Nevertheless, because these various loci of theology are frequently mentioned by Christian pastors and teachers, as well as in publications such as Tabletalk, it is helpful to have a guide to these loci and what each is concerned with.

Theological Prolegomena

The term prolegomena means “introduction” or “prefatory words,” so it should be no surprise that theological prolegomena deals with the introductory matters of theology. Under this heading, systematic theologians talk about things such as the nature and method of systematic theology, the sources of systematic theology and the weight that we should give each of them, and sometimes even the history of theology. Often, theological prolegomena also includes the topic of bibliology.

Bibliology

The word bibliology comes from the Greek terms biblion, which means “book,” and logos. Thus, bibliology looks at the book that God has given us—namely, His revelation. In fact, God has given us two books, the book of nature and the book of Scripture. While bibliology does consider the book of nature, or how God has revealed Himself in creation, its special focus is on the book of Scripture. It addresses issues such as the inspiration, authority, inerrancy, sufficiency, infallibility, and canon of Scripture.

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