A working definition of Theology- faith seeking understanding

Tomorrow in our Bible school we will be discussing "what is theology and why is it important'? I enjoyed reading through the introduction of Alister Mcgrath's basic theology as I have thought threw this question.

Mcgrath begins in his preface by saying that (1) Theology= Talking about God and (2) Christian Theology = talking about God in a Christian way. He goes on to say that: “The study theology is to thus think systematically about the fundamental ideas of Christianity. It is intellectual reflection on the act, content, and implications of the Christian faith.”.....“Theology can be thought of as the Christian discipleship of the mind”

This reminded me of a simpler version of Karl Barth's opening thesis in his Church Dogmatics:

"As a theological discipline dogmatics is the scientific self-examination of the Christian Church with respect to the content of its distinctive talk about God" (Vol.1:1 pg.3)


The quote that has stuck with me the most from Mcgrath's book is one he quotes from Anselm of Canterbury:

Theology is “faith seeking understanding” '(Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)