Handmaid to theology
Subtitle: an essay in philosophical prolegomena
By: Winfried Corduan ; foreword by Norman L. Geisler.
Publisher: Baker Book House
Published: 1981
Place of publication: Grand Rapids, Mich
Language: eng
Number of pages: 184
Subjects: Theology, Doctrinal.; Philosophical theology.
First sentence: The word "polegomena is derived from a Greek participle meaning "the things which are spoken before."
Description: Philosophical Prolegomena does not in this case constitute an introduction to theology, preliminary material of which one must dispose before delving into the actual content of divine revelation.  Instead, it constitutes a handmaid to theology, the philosophical categories that necessarily help to shape each doctrine.  
In addition to demonstrating "the inevitable reliance of theology on certain philosophical concepts, "the author pleads for a clear distinction between biblical theology and systematic theology within the evangelical tradition.  "Particularly helpful," says Norman Geisler, "is the emphasis on the need to use biblically compatible concepts in order to construct a systematic theology."  
After two introductory chapters ("What is Prolegomena?" and "Prolegomena: The Starting Point"), the author devotes two chapters to the doctrine of man, as many to the doctrine of revelation, three to the doctrine of God, and a final chapter to the doctrine of regeneration.
Notes: Bibliography: p. 179.
Includes index.
Table of contents: label: 1
title: What is Prolegomena
pagenum: 13; label: 2
title: Prolegomena: The Starting Point
pagenum: 27; label: 10
title: Regeneration
pagenum: 167