Theology is literally the study of
God. By extension, it also refers to the study of other religious topics. The term theology originated in
Christianity, but by it can also be used to refer to the study of the beliefs of other religions.
Theology assumes the truth of at least some religious beliefs and therefore can be distinguished from the philosophy of religion, which does not presume the truth of any religious beliefs. The philosophy of religion, when it seeks to study these topics, uses reason and experience as its sources; while theology can also use religious sources such as scriptures (e.g. the Bible), traditions, etc.
In Christianity, theology is divided into several subdisciplines:
- theology proper - God, his attributes and his nature
- christology - Christ, the nature of Christ, the relationship between the divine and human in Christ
- theodicy - the study of the apparent silence of God towards human suffering
- eschatology - the end of the world, the last judgment, etc.
- bibliology? - the bible, the means of its inspiration, etc.
- pneumatology? - the [Holy Spirit]?
- missiology? - missions, evangelism, etc.
- soteriology? - sins and atonement
- anthropology - nature of man
- ecclesiology? - the church
- angelology? - angels,the unseen world
- demonology? - satan, demons, evil spirits
See also religion, philosophy of religion, natural theology, process theology, metaphysics
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