What is Systematic Theology?

Systematic Theology is defined by Theopedia as a discipline which addresses theological topics one by one and attempts to summarize all the biblical teachings.

A more in-depth definition would be that it’s a method of studying God’s word with the principle that all Scriptures reveal a God-ordained, single, well-ordered and consistent system of doctrines for believers.

There are several topics contained in the different books in the Bible but no one book has all the information about each topic. So what systematic theology does is gather all the information and then organize it into categorical systems. In other words, systematic theology gives us the answer to what the Bible as a whole teaches about a certain topic.  GhanaChurch.com

Why is Systematic Theology important?

So why is it important for us to study systematic theology? Systematic theology ensures that all the major or fundamental doctrines of the Bible are well received and acknowledged by the believer. It ensures that our understanding of the doctrines are as consistent as it could possibly be.

By comparing scriptures with scriptures, systematic theology precludes and dismisses all potential inconsistencies in one’s doctrinal understanding. The Scriptures are then brought together and compared side-by-side according to each particular theme, and any scriptures that seem to contradict the others are ironed out and harmonized. It is also a useful tool for edifying and equipping Christians to dialogue and interact knowledgeably and reasonably with others.

Lastly, systematic theology is an essential and comprehensive explanation of the Christian worldview. It brings all the truths of the Word of God into a well-organized system which is an invaluable tool for explaining to the world what Christianity is all about. It is also an essential tool for defending the Christian faith logically and scripturally.
Systematic Theology Categories:

Theology Proper/Pateriology – the study of God the Father
Christology – the study of Jesus Christ, God the Son
Pneumatology – the study of God the Holy Spirit
Bibliology – the study of the Bible
Soteriology – the study of salvation
Ecclesiology – the study of the Church
Angelology and Demonology – the study of angels and demons from a biblical standpoint
Hamartiology – the study of sin
Christian Anthropology – the study of man
Eschatology – the study of the end times