EDITORIAL: THEOLOGY AND THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

Abstract

Theology literally means 'thinking about God' or Science of God. It is the Study of the nature of God and the relationship of the human and divine. Theology is theandric. The term ‘theology’ was first used in the works of Plato and other Greek philosophers to refer to the study and teaching of myths. Theology and Mythology coincided in ancient Greek understanding. Later, Theology as a discipline expanded within Christianity and later found application in all theistic religions. The four basic tasks of theology correspond with responses to these basic questions: (i) What is going on? (descriptive-empirical task), (ii) Why is this going on? (interpretative task), (iii) What ought to be going on? (normative task), and (iv) How might we respond? (pragmatic task). The ultimate goal of theology is not knowledge, but worship. If one’s learning and knowledge of God do not lead to the joyful praise of God, one has failed. We learn only that we might laud.