- Speculative 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.
