First, biblical theology deals with the 'source of faith.' It addresses the origin of literature as a definite certificate of faith, as well as its original meaning and its significance for the present. It includes individual disciplines such as Biblical Studies, Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, Introduction to the Old Testament, and Introduction to the New Testament.
Second, historical theology deals with the 'tradition of faith.' It covers the history of various theologies and churches in the process of faith transmission across generations. As individual disciplines, historical theology includes ancient, medieval, early modern, contemporary, and Korean church history, patristics, and the history of theology.
Third, systematic theology deals with the 'rationality of faith.' The rationality of faith refers, first, to the fact that faith can be justified logically and rationally, transcending emotional experience. Second, it means that the doctrines and confessions of faith can be explained and constructed within the comprehensibility of modern people based on philosophical, historical, and sociological grounds. This is a comprehensive undertaking that encompasses the logical statement of the content of faith, the formation of modes of expression, and the methods of its transmission
Therefore, systematic theology seeks to elucidate faith within the church's way of thinking, lifestyle, and structure in the present. As individual disciplines, systematic theology includes foundational theology, introduction to theology, dogmatic theology, moral theology, Christian sociology, and ecumenical theology.
The fourth discipline, Practical Theology, deals with the 'possibility of practicing faith.' It addresses the possibility for the Church and society, living together in the same era, to accept a living faith today. Practical Theology includes individual disciplines such as Pastoral Theology (homiletics, catechetical instruction, pastoral psychology, pastoral sociology, etc.), Canon Law, Liturgy, Religious Education, Missiology, and Spiritual Theology.
In this way, supernatural theology deals with the 'source of faith,' 'traditional nature of faith,' 'rationality of faith,' and 'practicality of faith. Therefore, by reading theological books, we can internalize and synthesize the truths of our faith. In particular, reading conciliar documents and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which represent the remarkable theological developments of our time, is one of the best ways to internalize and synthesize our faith.
To add one more point, as the term implies, fundamental theology is a discipline that studies the most basic aspects of theology. What is the foundation of theology? It is revelation and faith. Therefore, fundamental theology is the discipline that studies these comprehensively.
There are two methodologies in theology: the positivist and the speculative. The positivist method corresponds to "hearing faith," while the speculative method corresponds to "understanding faith. The positivist method addresses the factual question of faith, while the speculative method addresses its essence. Therefore, these two methods cannot be separated but assist each other, enabling us to hear and understand faith.
