\begin{chapter}{History, Terms, Identity and Themes}
    From the eighteenth century (during the Enlightenment) onwards, protestant authors use terms as `foundations', `fundamental doctrine' and `fundamental theology', as something developing from apologetical literature. It is more than a `defense against science'. 
    
    As apologetics, fundamental theology aims to respond to objections raised by critics about matters central to the Christian faith. However, there are differences:
    
    \begin{itemize}
        \item Apologetics merely shows (for example) that belief is not incompatible with science, while fundamental theology aims to broaden our understanding of that belief.
        \item Apologetics are mainly meant as a response to non-believers, while fundamental theology also has believers as an audience.
        \item Apologetics tends to get polemic, while fundamental theology should be expository.
    \end{itemize}
    
    There are also differences with other (sometimes largely) connected fields:
    
    \begin{description}
        \item[The philosophy of religion] is the study of faith and theology. Fundamental theology, as philosophical theology, entails personally sharing faith and seeking to understand it.
        \item[Philosophical theology] tends to be speculative rather than empirical: fundamental theology deals mainly with facts.
        \item[Dogmatic or systematic theology] is focused on Scripture and tradition, with some differences concerning ethics and the use of philosophical principles between the two. Fundamental theology is like these, but with a clear appeal to critical rationality.
        \item[Natural theology] approach the relationship between human beings and God, reflecting on (the intellect and will of) human beings and the universe as a whole. Fundamental theology remains an exercise of `faith seeking understanding', whereas natural theology looks only throught the `natural' powers of thought.
    \end{description}
    
    In essence, fundamental theology deals with foundational or basic issues. Its scope is not entirely clear: should we include the study of divine existence, for example, as well? Are they not at the basis of other foundational issues as the question of the historical revelation of God?
\end{chapter}