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The key to understanding the relation of the three theological disciplines to one another is the distinction between anticipating and presupposing.

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On the other hand, practical theology presuppos~s presupposes both systematic and historical theology, both of which anticipate it. This is why it can quite properly be said to be the last theological discipline.

As for systematic theology, it presupposes historical theology, which anticipates it (as well as practical theology), even as it anticipates practical theology, which presupposes it (as well as historical theology). For this reason it can quite properly be said to be the central theological discipline.

17 September 1990      

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