theology

American  

[thee-ol-uh-jee] / θiˈɒl ə dʒi /

noun

plural

theologies

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.

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theology British  

/ 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

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theology Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• antitheology adjective
• theologist noun

Etymology

Origin of theology

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

Example Sentences

Always there for him to confide in, complain to and entrust with his continually evolving thoughts on Jewish life and theology, Kaplan called these ledger-size handwritten volumes his “communings of the spirit.”

From The Wall Street Journal

His father, the King, attends church most Sundays and has a deep interest in theology and the beliefs of other faiths.

From BBC

Willem might know more than I did about theology and war and politics—but when it came to romance!

From Literature

This is not fringe theology operating at a safe distance from power.

From Salon

Mendes-Flohr persuasively reads these letters as the site where theology isn’t lofted above desire but tested within it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• belief
• creed
• doctrine
• dogma
• faith