Handmaid to theology

by Winfried Corduan

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.