Theology (Greek θεος, theos, "God", + λογος, logos, "word" or "reason") refers to discourse concerning religion, spirituality, God, and related topics, that attempts to be reconciled with the langage and concepts of both belief and reason (cf. rationality, Western empiricism). Though cultures and systems vary, the purpose of theology has largely been the continuity of such discourse within the context of emerging rational thought, language, social modernisation, and revolutions in government —all of which have consistently moved away from theocracy and monarchy toward secularism and democracy. The very concept of "theology" itself arguably represents an influence of Western secular values upon the religious world, and thus often simply refers to religious education in accordance with Western social and academic norms. Within the "theological" framework, student theologians may engage in extra-traditional religious discourse and navigate many of the sectarian and denominational and doctrinal (ie. dogmatic) differences, while remaining as faithful believers in their respective traditions.

As Western theological traditions have developed according to predominanty Christian and Jewish beliefs, study and discourse may be directly tied to localised forms of evangelism. Students in theology often seek to become religious clergy. In certain systems, the expressions of theologians may be regarded afte time as part of a religious canon, or else cited as authoritative interpretation at a particular time. As such, "theology" may refer simply to religious interpretation which is more logos and ethos-based and less pathos-based than either ministry or prophesy. Theologians may help clarify religious differences, translate localized religous traditions and beliefs into abstractions and generalisations which have more universal meaning, or otherwise represent the views of a particular system or tradition within current religious debates.

History of the term

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The word "Theology" is derived from Hellenistic Greek, but its meaning has changed significantly through its use in the European Christian thought of the Middle ages and Enlightenment

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Forget the evil problem I want to see theologians debate the problem with cold! How can a loving God exist with so much cold in the world?!?
eternalsecurity (Nathan Sweaney) Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:03:09 -0000
Forget the evil problem I want to see theologians debate the problem with cold! How can a loving God exist with so much cold in the world?!?
For centuries, theologians have been explaining the unknowable in terms of the-not-worth-knowing. -H.L. Mencken #quote
SUCCEEDRIGHT (Ben Beattie) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:09:23 -0000
For centuries, theologians have been explaining the unknowable in terms of the-not-worth-knowing. -H.L. Mencken #quote
"Money is the root of all evil." Er, isn't it 'The love of money is the root of many evils'? Can any theologians out there help? #mastermind
KerronCross (Kerron Cross) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:26:10 -0000
"Money is the root of all evil." Er, isn't it 'The love of money is the root of many evils'? Can any theologians out there help? #mastermind
Cleaning my kitchen instead of reading 4th century theologians my brain is thanking me for the respite
angelmeg (Maggie Geene) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:38:34 -0000
Cleaning my kitchen instead of reading 4th century theologians my brain is thanking me for the respite
@Chozzles it was a passage that stumped theologians until Twitter was FINALLY created.
RyanStegman (Ryan Stegman) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:44:32 -0000
@Chozzles it was a passage that stumped theologians until Twitter was FINALLY created.
RT @mperedim : `Unfortunately theologians recently determined God has a "MicrosoftMode". - http://is.gd/5RADW
dali13gr (Dimitris) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:33:07 -0000
RT @mperedim : `Unfortunately theologians recently determined God has a "MicrosoftMode". - http://is.gd/5RADW

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