Branches of theological studies

Core branches

  1. Theology Proper: Study of the nature and attributes of God the Father
  2. Christology: Study of the person and work of Jesus Christ
  3. Pneumatology: Study of the Holy Spirit
  4. Bibliology: Study of the Bible: inspiration, authority, canon, and interpretation
  5. Theological Anthropology: Study of humanity from a biblical perspective, including creation and nature of man
  6. Hamartiology: Study of sin: its origin, nature, consequences
  7. Soteriology: Study of salvation: atonement, grace, faith, justification, regeneration, sanctification, glorification
  8. Ecclesiology: Study of the Church: its nature, offices, ordinances, and mission
  9. Eschatology: Study of last things: death, resurrection, judgment, heaven, hell, second coming, and eternal state

Secondary and supporting branches

  1. Angelology: Study of angels, their roles and ministries
  2. Demonology: Study of fallen angels, Satan, and demonic activity
  3. Missology: Study of the mission of the Church, especially evangelism and global missions
  4. Apologetics: Defense of the Christian faith through reasoned arguments and evidence
  5. Canonology: Study of the formation of the biblical canon: which books are Scripture and why
  6. Ethics (or Moral Theology): Study of Christian moral behavior, duties, and the moral implications of theology
  7. Patrology: Study of the Church Fathers and their theological writings
  8. Doxology: The theology of worship and praise, particularly how theology informs our worship of God
  9. Liturgiology: Study of public worship, including liturgical forms and sacramental theology
  10. Hermeneutics: Study of the principles and methods of biblical interpretation
  11. Covenant Theology / Federal Theology (or Dispensational Theology): Study of God’s covenants throughout Scripture and their implications for redemptive history
  12. Providence and Theodicy: Study of God’s governance of creation and the problem of evil
  13. Historical Theology: Study of how theology has developed throughout church history
  14. Practical Theology: Application of theology to pastoral ministry, discipleship, counseling, and daily Christian living
  15. Spiritual Theology: Study of spiritual formation and growth in holiness and Christlikeness
  16. Sacramentology / Ordinology: Study of the ordinances or sacraments, particularly baptism and the Lord’s Supper
  17. Cosmology (Biblical): Study of the created universe in light of Scripture (distinct from secular cosmology)