Systematic Theology Resources
Adventures in Public Systematic Theology
with Ted Peters
Videos, Books, Patheos Posts, and More
Systematic theology explicates, appropriates, and speculates on what the Bible says. And more. We rely on our systematic theologians to ask and answer the basic Hermeneutical Question.
How can the Christian faith, first experienced and symbolically articulated in an ancient culture now long out-of-date, speak meaningfully to human existence today as we experience it amid a worldview dominated by natural science, secular self-understanding, and the worldwide cry for freedom?
In light of this question, systematic theology explicates the content of Christian belief, often by expanding the trinitarian structure found in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.
The content of the three creedal articles is normally termed doctrine. Sometimes dogma. This doctrinal or dogmatic content sits in the middle, usually preceded by a section on methodology and followed by a discussion of ethics. The section on methodology consists of a prolegomenon that is occasionally called “foundations” or “fundamental theology” or even “philosophical theology.”
The discussion of ethics, which sometimes appears in a work separate from the systematic theology itself, attempts to discern what conduct should flow from doctrinal belief.
Constructive Theology is a new term for collections of doctrinal theology that honors and respects the perspectives of previously marginalized voices: indigenous, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Queer, and feminist. This brand of constructive theology does not seek coherence between doctrines. Rather, it seeks to protect context-specific perspectives intact. Classical systematic theologians, in contrast, seek internal coherence along with applicability, universality, and logic.
Books?
Regarding systematic theology resources, here are some reliable works I return to again and again plus my own contribution.
Michael Agerbo Morch, Systematic Theology as Rationally Justified Public Discourse about God. (Vandenhoek & Ruprecht, 2023).
Katherine Sonderegger, Systematic Theology (Fortress 2020-2022).
Francis Schüssler Fiorenza and John P. Galvin, eds., Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives (Fortress, 2nd ed., 2011)
Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics (T.& T. Clark, 1936-1962)
Paul Tillich, Systematic Theology (University of Chicago 1951-1963)
Wolfhart Pannenberg, Systematic Theology (Eerdmans 1991-1998)
Kalistos Ware, The Orthodox Way (St. Vladimir’s, Rev. Ed., 2011)
Ted Peters, God—The World’s Future: Systematic Theology for a Postmodern Era (Fortress, 3rd ed., 2015)
Now, let’s turn to my own work in Public Systematic Theology that could be of interest.
Ted’s books on public Systematic Theology
Ted’s Videos on public Systematic Theology
Patheos Systematic Theology Resources
Roger E. Olson, “But does systematic theology matter?“
Roger E. Olson, “A Really Good REFORMED Systematic Theology“
Roger E. Olson, “A First Real Pentecostal Systematic Theology“
Jordan Cooper, “A Guide to Lutheran Systematic Theology Texts“
Kyle Roberts, “Beyond the Binaries…Sarah Coakley’s New Systematic Theology“
Nijay Gupta, “Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen…Christian Theologians to Read and Follow“
Jack Wellman, “What is Systematic Theology?“
Systematic Theology Resources: “What is…?” Series
What is Theological Methodology?
What is Justification by Faith?
Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
What is Public Systematic Theology? Part One
What is Public Systematic Theology? Part Two
What is Public Systematic Theology? Part Three
Contextual Theology at the Vatican. Really?
Miracle Series
How to see a miracle? Miracles 1
Two Healing Miracles for Sainthood. Miracles 2
Is Special Divine Action miraculous? Miracles 4
Jesus’ Nature Miracles. Miracles 5
Is resurrection the ultimate miracle? Miracles 6
The proleptic power of new creation. Miracles 7
Paul Lange on Praying for a Miracle. Miracles 8
Robert John Russell on Hume. Miracles 9
C.S. Lewis on Miracles. Miracles 10
Sin Series
SIN 7 The true story of Satanic Panic
SIN 8 How can Satan cast out Satan?
SIN 9 Ted’s Tips on Satan and Demons
How does Jesus save? Part Seven: Final Scapegoat
Atonement Series
How does Jesus save? Part Two Teacher & Moral Influence
How does Jesus save? Part Three Christus Victor
How does Jesus save? Part Four Satisfaction
How does Jesus save? Part Five Penal Substitution
How does Jesus save? Part Six Happy Exchange
How does Jesus save? Part Seven Final Scapegoat
Afterlife Series
Afterlife Resources: What Are the Options?
Afterlife Videos
Models of Body, Soul, and Spirit
Afterlife Patheos Posts
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- The Denial of Death
- Naturalism: When yer dead yer dead!
- Astral Body? Ka? Or Angel?
- Third Day Afterlife
- Immortal Soul
- Reincarnation
- Near Death Experiences
- Communication with the Dead
- Absorption into the Mystical Infinite
- Resurrection of the Body
- Heaven
- Hell
- Purgatory
- Universalism, Grace, and Hellfire
- Predestination and Destination
- What happens after we die?
ST 1: Systematic Theology Resources
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Ted Peters (Ph.D., University of Chicago) is a public theologian directing traffic at the intersection of science, religion, and ethics. Peters is an emeritus professor at the Graduate Theological Union, where he co-edits the journal, Theology and Science, on behalf of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences, in Berkeley, California, USA. He recently co-edited Astrobiology: Science, Ethics, and Public Policy (Scrivener 2021) as well as Astrotheology: Science and Theology Meet Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Cascade 2018). He also co-edited Religious Transhumanism and Its Critics (Lexington 2022) and The CRISPR Revolution in Science, Ethics, and Religion (Praeger 2023). Peters is author of Playing God: Genetic Determinism and Human Freedom (Routledge, 2nd ed, 2002) and The Stem Cell Debate (Fortress 2007). See his blogsite [https://www.patheos.com/blogs/publictheology/] and his website [TedsTimelyTake.com].
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