DOCTRINAL THEOLOGY is the precise, reasoned, and articulated statement of the several articles of religious belief.
By 'precise' is meant that each doctrine must be stated in a clear proposition or propositions, containing neither more nor less than the judgment which it is intended to convey.
By reasoned' is meant presenting the rational grounds on which the several propositions rest, a consideration of objections or difficulties, and a criticism of adverse doctrines, or doctrines believed to be erroneous, when they are of sufficient importance to call for notice.
By 'articulated' is meant arranged so as to form a coherent and orderly system.
The above definition sufficiently distinguishes our subject from Theological Ethics, which erects a theoretical scheme of morals on the basis of the religious truths established by Doctrinal Theology. These two studies form successive steps in a complete speculative system; but their objects are so distinct that they conveniently lend themselves to separate treatment.
The study upon which we now enter generally goes under the name of Dogmatics, or Dogmatic Theology. I prefer the name Doctrinal Theology for the following reason.
The word Dogma (Sóypa, placitum) was anciently used, among Greek and Roman writers, of the opinions of philosophers. In the New Testament it is used of decrees and precepts, but not of articles of belief. Among the Christians of Alexandria, however, the philosophical use was naturally followed; and from the time of Clement the term is applied