"Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine, or more broadly of religious belief."
The study of the nature of God and religious belief.
The Nature of God: This topic explores the different ways in which various religious traditions understand the divine, including concepts such as omniscience, omnipotence, and the nature of the Trinity.
Scripture: This topic focuses on the holy texts of various religious traditions, and how they are interpreted and understood by followers.
Ethics: Ethics explores the moral principles and values of different religious traditions, as well as how those principles are applied to everyday life.
Theology of Liberation: This topic explores the relationship between theology and social justice, and the ways in which religious traditions can be used to promote positive social change.
Comparative Religion: This field compares and contrasts the beliefs and practices of different religious traditions, in order to better understand them.
Mysticism: This topic explores the mystical side of religious traditions, including practices such as meditation and contemplation.
Religion and Science: This topic explores the relationship between religion and modern science, and how they can be reconciled.
Religious Philosophy: This field focuses on the philosophical underpinnings of religious belief, including concepts such as faith, reason, and epistemology.
World Religions: This field provides a broad overview of the major religious traditions around the world, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
Apologetics: This field explores the reasons for and defenses of various religious beliefs and practices, and how they can be used to persuade others.
Christianity: A monotheistic religion based on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe in the Bible as the holy scripture and the true word of God.
Islam: A monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. Muslims believe in the Quran as the holy scripture and the final revelation of God.
Judaism: The first monotheistic religion, based on the belief in one God and the covenant between God and the Jewish people. Jews believe in the Hebrew Bible as the holy scripture.
Hinduism: One of the oldest religions, based on a range of beliefs and practices that vary across different regions and communities in India. Hindus believe in the concept of reincarnation and believe in many gods and goddesses.
Buddhism: A nontheistic religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha. Buddhists believe in the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the concept of karma.
Sikhism: A monotheistic religion originating in India, based on the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus. Sikhs believe in the holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, and follow a way of life based on ethical and moral principles.
Taoism: A philosophy and religion originating in China, based on the teachings of Lao Tzu. Taoists believe in the concept of the Tao, the natural way of the universe.
Confucianism: A philosophy and ethics system originating in China, based on the teachings of Confucius. Confucians believe in the importance of social relationships and moral values.
Shintoism: A religion originating in Japan, based on the worship of spirits, ancestors, and nature. Shintoists believe in the concept of kami, the divine or sacred, and practice purification rituals.
Paganism: A broad term used to describe various nature-based religions, often associated with pre-Christian traditions in Europe. Pagans believe in the worship of gods and goddesses, and may practice magic and divination.
"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."