Millard Erickson provides a good comprehensive definition of theology as "that discipline which strives to give a coherent statement of the doctrines of the Christian faith, based primarily upon the Scriptures, placed in the context of culture in general, worded in a contemporary idiom, and related to issues of life."
Erikson gives five ingredients necessary for theology:
Erikson gives five ingredients necessary for theology:
- Theology is biblical, utilizing the tools and methods of biblical research (as well as employing insights from other areas of truth).
- Theology is systematic, drawing on the entirety of Scripture and relating the various portions to each other.
- Theology is relevant to culture and learning, drawing from cosmology, psychology, and philosophy of history.
- Theology must be contemporary, relating God’s truth to the questions and challenges of today.
- Theology must be practical, not merely declaring objective doctrine, but relating to life itself.
- Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 3 vols. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1983), 1:21