Historical theology is the study of the development of Christian doctrine and tradition from the Bible, by the church, and for the church.
Church, in this context, refers both to the global body of believers, and local Christian assemblies. Historical theology serves the church by keeping faithful record of the development of Christian doctrines from the past, and provides important historical context for work in the areas of systematic, biblical, and applied theology.
In
Historical Theology for the Church, editors Jason Duesing, Nathan Finn and Thomas White survey key doctrinal developments from four periods of church history: the Patristic (AD 100-500), Medieval (AD 500-1500), Reformation (AD 1500-1700), and Modern (AD 1700-2000) eras. Trusted experts contribute chapters outlining the main theological developments from each era, and each chapter concludes with a unique "For the Church" application section, clarifying the connection between the historical doctrine in question and the Christian church of the present age.
