theology
thee-OL-uh-jee
/θiˈɒl.ə.dʒi/
The systematic study of the nature of God, divine truth, and religious belief.
Differs from religious studies; theology often works within a tradition to understand divine nature, whereas religious studies analyzes religions from an external perspective.
The story behind the word. From Greek 'theologia' (discourse on the gods), used by Plato and Aristotle, later adopted by early Christian scholars like Augustine to mean rational study of God.
Word relationships
- divinity: 'Divinity' is often used in university titles (e.g., Master of Divinity), but theology specifically stresses intellectual study.
Commonly confused with
- theocracy: Theology is the study of God; theocracy is government by religious leaders in the name of God.
Word family
- theologian (noun): A person who engages in the formal study of theology.
- theological (adjective): Relating to the study of theology.
Collocations
- Christian theology
- systematic theology
- liberation theology
- study of theology
Example sentences
- "Medieval universities considered theology the supreme queen of the sciences." Academic Discipline
- "Her doctoral dissertation compared liberation theology in South America with Western European ethical frameworks." Comparative Thought
Memory hook
THEO (God) + LOGY (study of). Theology = Study of God. Reasoned discourse about the divine.
When not to use
Do not use to describe mere personal belief or informal spiritual feeling without intellectual structure.
Fun facts
- Aristotle called metaphysics 'theology' because it dealt with the highest ultimate cause of the universe.
Related words
Also appears in
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