Theology

Theology is reasoned discourse concerning God (Greek θεος, theos, "God", + λογος, logos, "word" or "reason"). It also refers to the study of other religious topics. A theologian is a person learned in theology.

Theology and religions other than Christianity

In academic theological circles, there is some debate as to whether theology is an activity peculiar to the Christian religion. It is seen by some to be a term appropriate to a religion which is significantly organised around complexes of belief - a religion focused on certain doctrines which invite rational investigation and testing - particularly beliefs or doctrines concerning a deity (a theos) - and so to be less appropriate in religious contexts which are organized or perceived differently. So, for instance, some academic courses on Buddhism which are dedicated to the rational investigation of a Buddhist understanding of the world prefer the designation Buddhist philosophy to the term Buddhist theology. Others have argued that, say, in Islam, theological discussion which parallels Christian theological discussion has, in the modern period, been a minor activity, and that the Islamic analogue of Christian theological discussion would more properly be the investigation and elaboration of Islamic law. For Hinduism, the discussion on Vaishnava Theology has been taking place within academic institutions such as the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. This discource has been advanced by the work of Graham Schweig, Kenneth R. Valpey, Tamala Krishna Gosvami and Dr. Guy Beck. Although these efforts have yet to be fully systematized, they are indicative of the general trend in world religions towards a plurality of world theologies.

Related Topics:
Deity - Buddhism - Islam - Islamic law - Hinduism - Vaishnava Theology - Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies - Graham Schweig - Kenneth R. Valpey - Tamala Krishna Gosvami - Guy Beck

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