Theology is the methodical and systematic study of the divine nature, and, generally, the religious belief. It preoccupies itself with the unique content of metaphysical analysis, but it also deals with religious epistemology, asking and seeking to answer the question of revelation. Revelation concerns the acceptance of deity, not only because He is transcendent or above the natural world, but also because He is willing and able to interact with the natural world and, in particular, reveal Himself to humanity. While theology has turned into a secular field, believers still consider theology as a system that helps them live and understand concepts such as life and love and helps them live a life of obedience to deity they follow or worship.
Theology examines whether the deity exists in some form, such as in physical, supernatural, mental, or social facts, and what evidence can be found through personal spiritual experiences or historical records. The study of these assumptions is not part of true theology but is found in the philosophy of religion, and increasingly through the psychology of religions and Neurotheology. Theology aims to construct and understand these experiences and concepts, and use them to elicit normative teachings for how to live our lives.
Theologians use various forms of analysis and argument (empirical, philosophical, ethnographical, anthropological, historical, sociological, economical and others) to help understand, explain, test, critique, defend, or promote many religious topics.
The study of theology may help a theologian to gain a deeper understanding of their own or another religious tradition, or it may enable them to explore the nature of the deity without reference to any specific tradition. Theology can be used to propagate, reform, or justify a religious tradition, or it can be used to compare or challenge or to oppose a religious tradition or worldview. Theology may also help a theologian to address some current situation through religious traditions, and to explore possible ways to explain the world.
Theology derives from the Greek theologia θεολογία, from theos Θεός, meaning God, and logia λογία, meaning ‘statements, sayings, and mediums’ a word related to logos λόγος, meaning ‘ word, discourse, arithmetic, or logic’ which passed into Latin as theologia and into French as theologie. The corresponding word in English theology was coined by 1362. The meaning of the word in English depends to a large extent on the meaning acquired by its equivalent in Latin and Greek, in the Christian Patrological and the medieval Christian usage, although The English term has now spread outside Christian contexts.
Saint Augustine defines, theologia in Latin, as the logic or discussion of the deity; Richard Hooker defined theology in English as the science of divine things. However, nowadays, the term can be used to include a variety of disciplines or fields of study.
The practice of the social sciences in theological terms, would renew the minds, nourish the society and constitutes a new imagination of the universe and the Church mission.
The theology in Christianity is to be understood as a scientific examination of the sources of faith biblical theology and historical theology and the practice of faith practical theology as well as a systematic analysis and representation of faith systematic theology, including fundamental theology, dogmatic theology and ethics.
Christian theology mostly refers to a specific denomination. Not only the content presented, but also the ways of thinking and the methods used are determined by the respective denomination. In scientifically pursued theology, this fact itself is problematized and reflected upon again.
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