The Parallel Structures of Systematic Theology and Church History

The parallel structures of Systematic Theology and Church History refer to the close relationship between the development of Christian doctrines (Systematic Theology) and the historical events of the Church (Church History). As the Church encountered new challenges, heresies, and cultural changes throughout history, it clarified and organized its beliefs into systematic doctrines.

OUTLINE OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY	PARALLEL DEVELOPMENTS IN CHURCH HISTORY
Bibliology – The Doctrine of Scripture	Gnosticism and the Canon of the New Testament (2nd–4th centuries)
Theology Proper – The Doctrine of God Christology – The Doctrine of Christ Pneumatology – The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit	Trinitarian Controversy (4th century) Christological Controversy (5th century)
Anthropology – The Doctrine of Man	Pelagian Controversy (5th–7th centuries)
Soteriology – The Doctrine of Salvation	The Reformation: Protestant vs. Catholic (16th century), Reformed vs. Arminian (17th century)
Ecclesiology – The Doctrine of the Church	The Reformation: Protestant vs. Catholic (16th century), Lutheran and Reformed vs. Anabaptist (16th–17th centuries)
Eschatology – The Doctrine of Last Things	Dispensationalism, Adventism, etc. (19th–20th centuries)