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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Spirituality: Faith and Theology: Course reading tips: the spirituality of theology http://bit.ly/4Mkz5a
angelshearyou (Angels Hear You) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:31:59 -0000
Spirituality: Faith and Theology: Course reading tips: the spirituality of theology http://bit.ly/4Mkz5a
Faith and Theology: Course reading tips: the spirituality of theology: In the coming semester, I've decided.. http://bit.ly/727ZoA
spirit_Is (Gillian Grannum) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 06:02:39 -0000
Faith and Theology: Course reading tips: the spirituality of theology: In the coming semester, I've decided.. http://bit.ly/727ZoA
Faith and Theology: Course reading tips: the spirituality of theology: At the college where I teach (which now has... http://bit.ly/71rgtP
omistic (Yancey @YanceyG) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:35:31 -0000
Faith and Theology: Course reading tips: the spirituality of theology: At the college where I teach (which now has... http://bit.ly/71rgtP
Faith and Theology: Course reading tips: the spirituality of theology http://bit.ly/4Q5goH
sacredhealer (Joseph Knapp) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:32:05 -0000
Faith and Theology: Course reading tips: the spirituality of theology http://bit.ly/4Q5goH
@freshgreenbeans Spirituality & Mission with and Worship, Theology, and Art.
elijahdavidson (Elijah Davidson) Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:57:01 -0000
@freshgreenbeans Spirituality & Mission with and Worship, Theology, and Art.
There must be education along with moral values: Kalam: Religion has two aspects — theology and spirituality. The... http://bit.ly/6QzlTF
doc_newman (Larry Vern Newman) Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:43:35 -0000
There must be education along with moral values: Kalam: Religion has two aspects — theology and spirituality. The... http://bit.ly/6QzlTF

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