Natural theology

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]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Natural theology — is a branch of theology based on reason and ordinary experience. Thus it is distinguished from revealed theology (or revealed religion) which is based on scripture and religious experiences of various kinds; and also from transcendental theology …   Wikipedia

  • Natural theology — Natural Nat u*ral (?; 135), a. [OE. naturel, F. naturel, fr. L. naturalis, fr. natura. See {Nature}.] 1. Fixed or determined by nature; pertaining to the constitution of a thing; belonging to native character; according to nature; essential;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • natural theology — n. theology that seeks knowledge of God, the soul, immortality, and natural law through reason and the observation of natural processes, unaided by revelation …   English World dictionary

  • natural theology — natural theologian. theology based on knowledge of the natural world and on human reason, apart from revelation. Cf. revealed theology. [1670 80] * * * …   Universalium

  • natural theology — nat′ural theol′ogy n. rel theology based on knowledge of the natural world and on human reason, apart from revelation • Etymology: 1670–80 …   From formal English to slang

  • natural theology —    see theology, natural …   Christian Philosophy

  • natural theology — noun a theology that holds that knowledge of God can be acquired by human reason without the aid of divine revelation • Hypernyms: ↑theology, ↑theological system …   Useful english dictionary

  • natural theology — noun Date: 1675 theology deriving its knowledge of God from the study of nature independent of special revelation …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • natural theology — noun theology or knowledge of God based on observed facts and experience apart from divine revelation …   English new terms dictionary

  • natural theology —    This term refers to a study of God and creation that relies on the abilities of human reason and data entirely accessible to human reason rather than on Revelation or the Scriptures.    See philosophical theology …   Glossary of theological terms

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