MATL - Define Theology

Prompt: Imagine you are invited to write an entry in a an encyclopedia for "theology." You are limited to 300 words.

Theology (Greek: theo; 'god' + logos 'reason or plan'). Theology is the systematic study of the fundamental ideas of a faith and the outcomes of those reflections.[1] It is most commonly associated with Christianity, although some efforts have been made to explore and develop a theology of other religions.  Originating with the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, theology was originally used to describe and evaluate the mythical or divine.  Eventually, the word was adopted by early Christian thinkers as an expression for their efforts to intellectually evaluate and reflect on God (now a monotheistic concept) and to develop the fundamental concepts of the Christian faith.[2] These concepts may form the doctrines of belief systems and influence or guide the progression of the faith through history.  Theology is also a means of interpreting or clarifying the tenants or truths of a faith through the lens of other scholastic or cultural tools (ancilla thologiae.)[3] Today, theology is typically considered an academic field of study, applicable both to efforts of studying Christianity and as a basis for scholars interested in the detailed study of disciplines such as Western history, literature, or art.   Like many large scholarly fields, there are many areas of specialization within theology, including focus on God, the Trinity, the world, the concepts of salvation or the study of end times.[4]

1: McGrath, Alister E. Theology: The Basics. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub., 2004.

2: Neville, Robert Cummings. "Theology." Encyclopedia of Science and Religions. 2003.

3: McGrath, Alister E. Theology: The Basics. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub., 2004.

4: Thielicke, Helmut. "Theology." Encyclopedia Britannica.