Natural theology

Theology The*ol"o*gy, n.; pl. {Theologies}. [L. theologia, Gr. ?; ? God + ? discourse: cf. F. th['e]ologie. See {Theism}, and {Logic}.] The science of God or of religion; the science which treats of the existence, character, and attributes of God, his laws and government, the doctrines we are to believe, and the duties we are to practice; divinity; (as more commonly understood) ``the knowledge derivable from the Scriptures, the systematic exhibition of revealed truth, the science of Christian faith and life.'' [1913 Webster]

Many speak of theology as a science of religion [instead of ``science of God''] because they disbelieve that there is any knowledge of God to be attained. --Prof. R. Flint (Enc. Brit.). [1913 Webster]

Theology is ordered knowledge; representing in the region of the intellect what religion represents in the heart and life of man. --Gladstone. [1913 Webster]

{Ascetic theology}, {Natural theology}. See {Ascetic}, {Natural}.

{Moral theology}, that phase of theology which is concerned with moral character and conduct.

{Revealed theology}, theology which is to be learned only from revelation.

{Scholastic theology}, theology as taught by the scholastics, or as prosecuted after their principles and methods.

{Speculative theology}, theology as founded upon, or influenced by, speculation or metaphysical philosophy.

{Systematic theology}, that branch of theology of which the aim is to reduce all revealed truth to a series of statements that together shall constitute an organized whole. --E. G. Robinson (Johnson's Cyc.). [1913 Webster]