theology

[ thee-ol-uh-jee ]

noun

, plural the·ol·o·gies.

1. the field of study and analysis that treats of God and of God's attributes and relations to the universe; study of divine things or religious truth; divinity.
2. a particular form, system, branch, or course of this study.

theology

/ θɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the systematic study of the existence and nature of the divine and its relationship to and influence upon other beings
2. a specific branch of this study, undertaken from the perspective of a particular group

   feminist theology

3. the systematic study of Christian revelation concerning God's nature and purpose, esp through the teaching of the Church
4. a specific system, form, or branch of this study, esp for those preparing for the ministry or priesthood

theology

1. The disciplined study of religious questions, such as the nature of God, sin, and salvation (see also salvation ).

Derived Forms

• theˈologist, noun

Other Words From

• anti·the·olo·gy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of theology¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English theologie, from Old French, from Late Latin theologia, from Greek theología; equivalent to theo- + -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of theology¹

C14: from Late Latin theologia, from Latin; see theo- , -logy

Example Sentences

“Advent is when we celebrate the narratives that give us insight into how God is entering the world,” said Jesuit Father Allan Figueroa Deck, a scholar of pastoral theology at Loyola Marymount College.

From Los Angeles Times

“I was like, ‘How did she know that I was a theology major?

From Los Angeles Times

A Peruvian priest who founded liberation theology, a movement advocating an active role for the Roman Catholic Church in fighting poverty and injustice but reviled by some as Marxist, has died.

From BBC

This “Project 2025 for dominion theology” is against taxation, regulation and labor unions, and its theorists “were fellow travelers with states’ righters, the John Birch Society and, later, the Tea Party movement.”

From Salon

But even before that, scholars for years have argued that theology is not necessarily the defining characteristic of evangelicalism.

From Salon

Related Words

• belief
• creed
• doctrine
• dogma
• faith