"Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine, or more broadly of religious belief."
This subject involves studying the nature of God, religious beliefs, doctrines, and rituals. It is a vast area of study and includes exploring the history, ethical beliefs, and moral behaviour connected with the particular religion.
Scripture: This includes the study of religious texts, their origin, and their interpretation. Some of the most significant religious texts include the Bible, Qur'an, and the Torah.
Theology: This encompasses the study of God or gods, their attributes, and the relationship between God and humans. It includes various fields such as philosophical theology, systematic theology, and practical theology.
Philosophy: This includes the study of fundamental beliefs, values, and assumptions that underlie various theological concepts.
Ethics: This looks at the moral principles guiding human behavior from a religious perspective.
Comparative Religion: This looks at the different religions and how they relate to each other. It also looks at specific beliefs, traditions, and practices in various religions.
Church History: This includes the study of the Christian church's origin, development, and major events that shaped it.
Anthropology: This looks at the human culture, religious practices and how they influence the way humans view the world.
Sociology: This field of study looks at the various social dynamics of religion and how religion affects different aspects of human society.
Apologetics: This is the study of defending religious beliefs and the rational arguments supporting them.
Spirituality: This includes the exploration of various religious practices and how they contribute to personal growth and spiritual development.
Biblical Theology: Examines the Bible as the primary source of theological knowledge and insight into the nature of God and salvation.
Systematic Theology: Systematically study the doctrines and beliefs of a specific religion or group of religions and explores how different beliefs interact with each other.
Historical Theology: Examines the history of a particular religion or religious movement, including the development of beliefs and practices over time.
Philosophical Theology: Examines religion and religious belief from a philosophical perspective, including arguments for and against the existence of God.
Practical Theology: Addresses the practical aspects of religious beliefs and practices, such as the role of the clergy in the community.
Comparative Theology: Compares and contrasts different religions and religious beliefs to gain a deeper understanding of similarities and differences.
Liberation Theology: Focuses on the theological ideas that underpin social activism and the struggle for social justice.
Feminist Theology: Examines the role of women in religious traditions and emphasizes the importance of equality and justice for all genders.
Eco-Theology: Focuses on the relationship between religion and the environment, and the responsibility of human beings to care for the natural world.
Process Theology: Views God as constantly involved in the world and the process of creation, rather than as an all-knowing and all-powerful entity.
"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."