General Timeline of the Development of Theology

1st 500 Years
Bishops + Basic Councils

Early Middle Ages
Monastics

Late Middle Ages
Universities w/Monastic Influence (Mendicant Orders)

>1500 Renaissance
Academia

For the first 500 years, theology was developed by the Bishops and a few select laymen. During this period of time, the basic councils of the Church were developed. The Basic Councils included: 1st Council of Nicaea in 325, 1st Council of Constantinople in 381, Council of Ephesus in 431, Council of Chalcedon in 451 and the 2nd Council of Constantinople in 553.

After the first 500 years, Europe was plunged into a prolonged period of political unrest. The monastic era began and most of the theological development was done under by the monks. However, as Europe began to flourish once again, the great universities were built, and the mendicant orders (Dominicans and Franciscans) were formed. During the late Middle Ages, the mendicant orders began to develop the theology that we recognize today. Of note were St. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican, and his peer St. Bonaventure, a Franciscan.

After the Renaissance, around the year 1500, the development of theology was absorbed into academia where it remains today.