Definitions for: Theology


[n] the learned profession acquired by specialized courses in religion (usually taught at a college or seminary); "he studied theology at Oxford"
[n] the rational and systematic study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truth
[n] a particular system or school of religious beliefs and teachings; "Jewish theology"; "Roman Catholic theology"



Webster (1913) Definition: The*ol"o*gy, n.; pl. Theologies. [L. theologia, Gr.
?; ? God + ? discourse: cf. F. th['e]ologie. See Theism,
and Logic.]
The science of God or of religion; the science which treats
of the existence, character, and attributes of God, his laws
and government, the doctrines we are to believe, and the
duties we are to practice; divinity; (as more commonly
understood) ``the knowledge derivable from the Scriptures,
the systematic exhibition of revealed truth, the science of
Christian faith and life.''

Many speak of theology as a science of religion
[instead of ``science of God''] because they disbelieve
that there is any knowledge of God to be attained.
--Prof. R.
Flint (Enc.
Brit.).

Theology is ordered knowledge; representing in the
region of the intellect what religion represents in the
heart and life of man. --Gladstone.

Ascetic theology, Natural theology. See Ascetic,
Natural.

Moral theology, that phase of theology which is concerned
with moral character and conduct.

Revealed theology, theology which is to be learned only
from revelation.

Scholastic theology, theology as taught by the scholastics,
or as prosecuted after their principles and methods.

Speculative theology, theology as founded upon, or
influenced by, speculation or metaphysical philosophy.

Systematic theology, that branch of theology of which the
aim is to reduce all revealed truth to a series of
statements that together shall constitute an organized
whole. --E. G. Robinson (Johnson's Cyc.).

Synonyms: divinity, theological system

See Also: apologetics, bailiwick, branch of knowledge, Christian theology, discipline, eschatology, field, field of study, hermeneutics, homiletics, learned profession, liturgics, liturgiology, natural theology, study, subject, subject area, subject field, system, system of rules, theodicy

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