Category:Theology

The*ol"o*gy, n.; pl. Theologies. Etym: [l. theologia, gr. théologie. See theism, and logic.]

Defn: 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.).