Answer:
In simple terms, systematic theology is the study of doctrine or the foundational beliefs or a religion or denomination. If I were studying systematic theology and I was attending an Assemblies of God school I would study the doctrine and beliefs of the Assemblies of God, or how they interpret scripture and doctrine.
Philosophical theology is really more of a study of the “big” questions that we often ponder…or you could say it deals with questions that children often ask about God!
Philosophical theology deals with questions like What is God like? How do we know God exists? Why does God allow evil and suffering in the world? What is faith? What happens after we die? What does it mean when we say ‘the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God”?
It is good to study both. I probably prefer to answer questions that deal more with Philosophical theology ~ more thought provoking!
Thanks,
Pastor Brad