What is "systematic theology"

Systematic \Sys`tem*at"ic\, Systematical \Sys`tem*at"ic*al\, a.

1. Of or pertaining to system; consisting in system; methodical; formed with regular connection and adaptation or subordination of parts to each other, and to the design of the whole; as, a systematic arrangement of plants or animals; a systematic course of study.

   Now we deal much in essays, and unreasonably despise systematical learning; whereas our fathers had a just value for regularity and systems.
   --I. Watts.

   A representation of phenomena, in order to answer the purposes of science, must be systematic.
   --Whewell.

2. Proceeding according to system, or regular method; as, a systematic writer; systematic benevolence.

3. Pertaining to the system of the world; cosmical.

   These ends may be called cosmical, or systematical.
   --Boyle.

4. (Med.) Affecting successively the different parts of the system or set of nervous fibres; as, systematic degeneration.

   Systematic theology. See under Theology.

Theology \The*ol"o*gy\, n.; pl. Theologies. [L. theologia, Gr. ?; ? God + ? discourse: cf. F. th['e]ologie. See Theism, and Logic.] The science of God or of religion; the science which treats of the existence, character, and attributes of God, his laws and government, the doctrines we are to believe, and the duties we are to practice; divinity; (as more commonly understood) ``the knowledge derivable from the Scriptures, the systematic exhibition of revealed truth, the science of Christian faith and life.''

Many speak of theology as a science of religion [instead of ``science of God''] because they disbelieve that there is any knowledge of God to be attained.
--Prof. R. Flint (Enc. Brit.).

Theology is ordered knowledge; representing in the region of the intellect what religion represents in the heart and life of man.
--Gladstone.

Ascetic theology, Natural theology. See Ascetic, Natural.

Moral theology, that phase of theology which is concerned with moral character and conduct.

Revealed theology, theology which is to be learned only from revelation.

Scholastic theology, theology as taught by the scholastics, or as prosecuted after their principles and methods.

Speculative theology, theology as founded upon, or influenced by, speculation or metaphysical philosophy.

Systematic theology, that branch of theology of which the aim is to reduce all revealed truth to a series of statements that together shall constitute an organized whole.
--E. G. Robinson (Johnson's Cyc.).

Systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the doctrines of the Christian faith. Subdisciplines are dogmatics, ethics and philosophy of religion.

Systematic theology draws on the foundational sacred texts of Christianity, while simultaneously investigating the development of Christian doctrine over the course of history, particularly through philosophy, science and ethics. Inherent to a system of theological thought is that a method is developed, one which can be applied both broadly and particularly. Using biblical texts, it attempts to compare and relate all of scripture and create a systematized statement on what the whole Bible says about particular issues. There are ten basic areas (or categories) of systematic theology; however, the exact list may vary slightly.