SOURCES THAT GUIDE A THEOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Practical Source. According to Peter (n.d) the goal of the practical theology is to move the congregation from just knowing what the bible says, which is great in itself, to living it out practically. That the true Christianity is that which is not theoretical and only in the lips but practical which brings the bible alive. He suggests that this is the essence of the whole bible and Christianity, for example, offering people hope from a biblical understanding, practising godliness like integrity where necessary not just knowing it is the right thing encouraged in the scriptures. Basically it is taking biblical passages and using them appropriately to help people with particular issues so they overcome. He further explains that this requires wisdom and skill to be able to ask the right questions so the person is able to think for themselves and find a way of having a different lifestyle that is being encouraged by the scriptures.

In the historic source, Peter (n.d) also argues that historical source does not necessarily focus directly from the scriptures. Rather, over the years, the church has had different leaders in history who have had different hermeneutical strategies in their leadership and in their biblical interpretation. It is important that we understand all these different hermeneutics and how they have affected the church as a result because a lot of times the church reflects the leadership and how it has been led over a period of time. This is what we call applied hermeneutics or how the leaders have interpreted the scriptures. Different leaders based on who they are as a people and their characters, have a unique way of interpreting the scriptures and this is a factor that needs to be considered according to Peter because it affects the congregation in one way or another.

Systematic Source. According to Peter (n.d), a systematic source builds theological concerns using biblical explanations which means it is important to find out what other theologians think about different passages. This brings up a new knowledge from the one already existing. Different theologians interpret the bible differently and it is important to learn from one another. He says the bib e must be used as our source of the one true doctrine but he also suggests that it is important to use the notes from my classroom lecturer as well as consult systematic theological articles. This helps in bringing a wider knowledge of everything going on around, a deeper perspective and avoidance of self – centeredness.

Biblical Source. Peter concludes by explaining that biblical source is a deeper way of understanding the bible. He discourages interpreting the scriptures shallowly and suggests that to be able to know the bible better, there is need to consult and start using other materials to expand and deepen understanding, for example, the bible concordances, the bible commentaries and bible dictionaries to understand the whole bible. That there are so many resources out there in Christian book stores and in the internet that is very helpful. He thinks that it is very easy to wrongly interpret the scriptures and misguide the congregation as theological leaders. He therefore encourages depth in our bible studies so as to lead the church in the right direction.

Peter, L. (n.d.). The Westminster Theological Research. sources that guide theological research .Available at. www.wts.edu/…/sources_that_guide_theological.html