- "Such study concentrates primarily upon the texts of the Old Testament and of the New Testament, as well as on Christian tradition."
Comparison of the theological doctrines of different Christian denominations and the potential areas of agreement.
The Trinity: This is the Christian doctrine that there is one God in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Different Christian denominations may have different interpretations of this doctrine.
The Incarnation: The belief that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human. This is a fundamental tenet of Christian theology but different denominations may emphasize different aspects of it.
The Atonement: The doctrine that Jesus Christ's death and resurrection was the means by which human beings could be reconciled to God. Different Christians have different interpretations of this doctrine.
Salvation: The belief that one can be saved from sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ. Different denominations have different ideas about what constitutes salvation and how it is attained.
Sacraments: Certain rituals or practices that are believed to be a means of experiencing the grace of God. Different Christian denominations have different ideas about what constitutes a sacrament and how it should be performed.
Predestination: The belief that God has predestined some individuals to be saved and others to be damned. This is a controversial doctrine that has been strongly emphasized by some denominations over others.
Justification: The belief that through faith in Jesus Christ, human beings can be declared righteous before God. Different denominations have different ideas about how this process works.
Grace: The idea that salvation is a gift from God, given freely and without expectation of repayment. Different denominations have different ideas about how to understand and experience God's grace.
The Church: The community of followers of Jesus Christ. Different Christian denominations have different ideas about what constitutes the Church and how it should be structured.
Authority: The question of what constitutes authoritative teaching within a Christian denomination. Different denominations have different ideas about where authority resides, such as in the Bible, in the interpretive tradition of the Church, or in individual experience.
Faith and works: The balance between faith in Jesus Christ and good works. Different denominations have different ideas about the role of good works in salvation and how to balance faith and works.
Eschatology: The study of the end of the world and the afterlife. Different Christian denominations have different ideas about what will happen at the end of time and the nature of the afterlife.
- "Christian theologians use biblical exegesis, rational analysis, and argument."
- "Theologians may undertake the study of Christian theology for a variety of reasons..."
- "help them better understand Christian tenets"
- "make comparisons between Christianity and other traditions"
- "defend Christianity against objections and criticism"
- "facilitate reforms in the Christian church"
- "assist in the propagation of Christianity"
- "draw on the resources of the Christian tradition to address some present situation or perceived need"
- "education in Christian philosophy, especially in Neoplatonic philosophy"
- "Christian theology has permeated much of non-ecclesiastical Western culture"
- "although Christianity is a worldwide religion."
- "the texts of the Old Testament and of the New Testament"
- "Christian theologians use biblical exegesis, rational analysis, and argument."
- "facilitate reforms in the Christian church"
- "draw on the resources of the Christian tradition to address some present situation or perceived need"
- "assist in the propagation of Christianity"
- "make comparisons between Christianity and other traditions"
- "Christian theology has permeated much of non-ecclesiastical Western culture, especially in pre-modern Europe"
- "defend Christianity against objections and criticism"