"Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine, or more broadly of religious belief."
The study of the nature of God, religious belief, and religious experience.
The nature of God: The study of the nature and character of God, including His attributes and actions.
The Bible: The study of the Old and New Testaments, including their authorship, history, and interpretation.
Christology: The study of the person and work of Jesus Christ, including His deity, humanity, and resurrection.
Soteriology: The study of salvation, including the means by which God provides salvation, the nature of faith, and the role of the Holy Spirit.
The Trinity: The study of the triune nature of God, including the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Ecclesiology: The study of the Church, including its history, structure, and mission.
Anthropology: The study of human beings, including their nature, purpose, and destiny.
Eschatology: The study of the end times, including the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment.
Apologetics: The study of defending the Christian faith, including its claims and doctrines, from a philosophical and rational perspective.
Ethics: The study of moral principles and values, including their application to daily life and personal decision making.
Philosophy of Religion: The study of the concepts and arguments related to the existence of God, the nature of religion, and the relationship between faith and reason.
Comparative Religion: The study of different religious beliefs and practices, including their similarities and differences.
History of Religion: The study of the development and evolution of different religions throughout history.
Science and Religion: The study of the relationship between scientific discoveries and theological beliefs, including the debate between creationism and evolution.
Mysticism: The study of spiritual experiences and practices, including meditation, prayer, and contemplation.
Biblical theology: Concerned with the study of the Bible and its doctrines and principles.
Historical theology: Concerned with the history of Christian thought and the development of Christian doctrine.
Systematic theology: Concerned with the systematic study of Christian doctrine and the various teachings of the Bible.
Practical theology: Concerned with the application of Christian doctrine and principles in practical situations.
Moral theology: Concerned with the moral principles and values in Christianity.
Spiritual theology: Concerned with the nature of spiritual experiences and the development of one's relationship with God.
Comparative theology: Concerned with the comparison of different religious traditions and their doctrines.
Liberation theology: Concerned with the relationship between Christianity and social justice movements.
Feminist theology: Concerned with examining the role of women in Christianity and challenging patriarchal structures.
Ecumenical theology: Concerned with promoting unity and understanding between different Christian denominations.
Apologetics: Concerned with defending the Christian faith against criticisms and objections.
Natural theology: Concerned with understanding the existence and nature of God using reason and observation of the natural world.
Science and theology: Concerned with exploring the relationship between science and religion, and where these worldviews overlap.
Philosophical theology: Concerned with exploring and defining the concepts of God, the nature of existence, and the relationship between humanity and God.
Anthropology and theology: Concerned with exploring the relationship between human culture and religion.
Aesthetics and theology: Concerned with the relationship between theology and the fine arts, such as music, film, and literature.
"It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries."
"It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the supernatural."
"It also deals with religious epistemology, asks and seeks to answer the question of revelation."
"Revelation pertains to the acceptance of God, gods, or deities, as not only transcendent or above the natural world but also willing and able to interact with the natural world and to reveal themselves to humankind."
"Theologians use various forms of analysis and argument (experiential, philosophical, ethnographic, historical, and others) to help understand, explain, test, critique, defend or promote any myriad of religious topics."
"As in philosophy of ethics and case law, arguments often assume the existence of previously resolved questions, and develop by making analogies from them to draw new inferences in new situations."
"The study of theology may help a theologian more deeply understand their own religious tradition, another religious tradition, or it may enable them to explore the nature of divinity without reference to any specific tradition."
"Theology may be used to propagate, reform, or justify a religious tradition; or it may be used to compare, challenge (e.g. biblical criticism), or oppose (e.g. irreligion) a religious tradition or worldview."
"Theology might also help a theologian address some present situation or need through a religious tradition, or to explore possible ways of interpreting the world."
"The study of theology may enable them (theologians) to explore the nature of divinity without reference to any specific tradition."
"Theology may be used to compare, challenge (e.g. biblical criticism), or oppose (e.g. irreligion) a religious tradition or worldview."
"Theology may help a theologian more deeply understand their own religious tradition, another religious tradition."
"Revelation pertains to the acceptance of God, gods, or deities, as not only transcendent or above the natural world but also willing and able to interact with the natural world and to reveal themselves to humankind."
"Theologians use various forms of analysis and argument (experiential, philosophical, ethnographic, historical, and others) to help understand, explain, test, critique, defend or promote any myriad of religious topics."
"The study of theology may enable a theologian to explore the nature of divinity without reference to any specific tradition."
"As in philosophy of ethics and case law, arguments often assume the existence of previously resolved questions, and develop by making analogies from them to draw new inferences in new situations."
"Theology might also help a theologian address some present situation or need through a religious tradition, or to explore possible ways of interpreting the world."
"Theology may be used to... oppose (e.g. irreligion) a religious tradition or worldview."
"Theologians use various forms of analysis and argument... to help understand, explain, test, critique, defend or promote any myriad of religious topics."