Historical theology is a branch of theological studies that investigates the socio-historical and cultural mechanisms that give rise to theological idea

Idea

In the most narrow sense, an idea is just whatever is before the mind when one thinks. Very often, ideas are construed as representational images; i.e. images of some object. In other contexts, ideas are taken to be concepts, although abstract concepts do not necessarily appear as images...

s, systems

System

System is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole....

, and statements. Research and method in this field focus on the relationship between theology

Theology

Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...

 and context as well as the major theological influences upon the figures and topics studied. Historical theologians are thus concerned with the historical development of theology.

External links

• The Theology Program Historical/Systematic Theological Studies Program featuring audio and video aids
• Doctoral Study in Historical Theology at Saint Louis University