a systematic theology

According to wikipedia, a systematic theology is "a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs."

According to common knowledge (though most recently read in the prologue to Jesus Wants to Save Christians) theology is made up of two greek words; theo - meaning god and logos meaning word. Theology is a word about God.

Our collect for the 2nd Sunday after The Epiphany is one of the best of the Church year.

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

I think it is so good because it has within it a systematic set of words about God. Let's explore.

1. God, who is almighty, has a son
2. That son, is our savior, Jesus the Christ
3. That Son is the light of the world
4. Grant - we believe that you can do things that we cannot
5. that your people - this is tricky; who exactly are God's people? Jews? Christians? Muslims? All people? The oppressed?
6. illumined by your Word and Sacraments - that light we mentioned earlier has been and can be shared by way of study and life in the communion of the faithful
7. may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory - that shared light, at best, can shine fully in sinful humanity because Jesus took on flesh. He brought heaven to earth and earth to heaven.
8. that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed - that light seen by the right people will change hearts, will open minds, will free the oppressed, and allow God to make himself known so that then he can be worshipped and through worship his will can be discerned (so that he might be obeyed)
9. to the ends of the earth - we hope, with God, that this light will have an impact across the globe in every city, town, country, rural route, etc.
10. through Jesus Christ our Lord - Jesus told us that the Father would give us anything we prayed in his name
11. who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. - The Trinitarian formula - God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are pre-existent, they are the persons of one substance
12. Amen. - So be it. We agree. Even those who did not, or could not, say those words hope that they are true.