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The history of theology has manifestations in many different cultures and religious traditions.
Terminology and connotations
Plato used the Greek word theologia (θεολογία) with the meaning "discourse on god" around 380 BCE in Republic, Book ii, Ch. 18 (379a).
The Latin author Boethius, writing in the early 6th century, used theologia to denote a subdivision of philosophy as a subject of academic study, dealing with the motionless, incorporeal reality (as opposed to physica, which deals with corporeal, moving realities). Boethius' definition influenced medieval Latin usage.
It is in this[which?] last sense - theology as an academic discipline involving the basis of rational study of Christian teaching - that the term passed into English in the fourteenth century.
From the 17th century onwards, it also became possible to use the term "theology" to refer to study of religious ideas and teachings that are not specifically Christian (e.g., in the term natural theology which denoted theology based on reasoning from natural facts independent of specifically Christian revelation).
"Theology" can also now be used in a derived sense to mean "a system of theoretical principles; an (impractical or rigid) ideology".
Theological development
Indian theology
The earliest theological reflections in Hinduism are found in the Rg Veda, the oldest sacred text. Here, an abstract Supreme Being is acknowledged as self-originating and the source of all phenomena. Vedic gods, including Indra, Varuna, and Vishnu, share common characteristics. They are said to have created the universe, set the sun in the sky, and propped apart heaven and earth. These gods are susceptible to human praise, and their personifications vary.
Hindu theology embraces panentheism, believing that the Supreme Soul (Parmatma) both transcends and pervades the universe. This underlying principle unifies the diverse pantheon of gods and goddesses. While Hinduism appears polytheistic due to its many deities, it is essentially monotheistic, recognising the unity of the divine.
The Bhakti movement (medieval period) emphasized intense devotion to a personal deity. Bhakti theologians like Ramanuja, Madhva, and Chaitanya advocated for loving surrender to God. Devotional texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana, shaped theological thought by emphasizing devotion, ethics, and the pursuit of moksha (liberation).
Shankara, the founder of Advaita Vedanta, expounded non-dualism (advaita) by asserting that the individual soul (jivatman) is identical to the Supreme Soul (Brahman). This philosophical theology influenced Hindu thought, emphasizing self-realization and the illusory nature of the material world.
In contemporary Hinduism, theologians engage with issues like social justice, environmental ethics, and interfaith dialogue. Theological reflection continues to evolve, drawing from ancient texts, philosophical traditions, and the lived experiences of practitioners.
Christian theology
Christian theology, in scholastics of the Middle Age regarded as "the queen of sciences".
The 16th-century Protestant reformation, in the spirit of Renaissance humanism, paid great attention to the study of biblical text, accompanied by outbursts of popular theology in personal religious fervor.
Recent Christian theological movements include Liberation theology, liberal theology, and fundamentalism.
Islamic theology
From the late 19th century onward, Islamic theology adapted to changing contexts. Scholars in Arab countries, Turkey, Iran, India, Central Asia, and Indonesia, explored diverse theological perspectives. Modern theologians grappled with issues like secularism, pluralism, and the compatibility of Islamic teachings with contemporary life.
See also
- Outline of theology
References
- Liddell, Henry George & Scott, Robert (1940). A Greek-English Lexicon. Revised and augmented throughout by Sir Henry Stuart Jones with the assistance of Roderick McKenzie. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 667.
- Boethius (2004). "De Trinitate (On the Holy Trinity)" (PDF). Translated by Kenyon, Erik C. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
- Evans, G. R. (1980). Old Arts and New Theology: The Beginnings of Theology as an Academic Discipline. Oxford: Clarendon Press. pp. 31–32.
- See the 'note' in the Oxford English Dictionary entry for 'theology'.
- Oxford English Dictionary, sense 1
- Oxford English Dictionary, 1989 edition, 'Theology' sense 1(d), and 'Theological' sense A.3; the earliest reference given is from the 1959 Times Literary Supplement 5 June 329/4: "The 'theological' approach to Soviet Marxism ... proves in the long run unsatisfactory."
- Bose, Mandakranta (2015). "Chapter 27: Hinduism". In Thatcher, Adrian (ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Theology, Sexuality, and Gender. Oxford University Press. pp. 450–466. ISBN 978-0-19-966415-3. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- Gold, Ann G. & Doniger, Wendy (2 July 2024). "Hinduism - Sacred texts - Theology". Britannica.com. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- "Theology". Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- Athyal, Jesudas (10 August 2023). "Theology in India". St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology.
- Zakai, Avihu (22 July 2010). "Regina Scientiarum - Theology as the 'Queen of Sciences'". Jonathan Edwards's Philosophy of Nature: The Re-enchantment of the World in the Age of Scientific Reasoning. T & T Clark theology. London: A&C Black (published 2010). p. 56. ISBN 978-0-56722-650-1. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
[...] in the medieval scholastic world, theology was defined as the "Queen of Sciences" [...].
- Whitney, James Pounder (1907). The History of the Reformation (reprint ed.). S.P.C.K. (published 1958). p. 36. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
In the Middle Ages, as at all times, popular theology had on many points outrun authorised theology: the fifteenth century was overladen both in bold speculations and practical details by the results of past generations.
- Wielandt, Rotraud (2015). "Chapter 40: Main Trends of Islamic Theological Thought from the Late Nineteenth Century to Present Times". In Schmidtke, Sabine (ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Theology. Oxford University Press. pp. 707–764. ISBN 978-0-19-969670-3. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
External links
- "Theology". Encyclopædia Britannica. 27 September 2024.
- Chattopadhyay, Subhasis (2014). Narasimhananda, Swami (ed.). "Reflections on Hindu Theology". Prabuddha Bharata or Awakened India. 120 (12): 664–672. ISSN 0032-6178.
Theology public domain audiobook at LibriVox
This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations August 2010 Learn how and when to remove this message This article is written like a personal reflection personal essay or argumentative essay that states a Wikipedia editor s personal feelings or presents an original argument about a topic Please help improve it by rewriting it in an encyclopedic style August 2010 Learn how and when to remove this message The history of theology has manifestations in many different cultures and religious traditions Terminology and connotationsPlato left and Aristotle in Raphael s 1509 fresco The School of Athens Plato used the Greek word theologia 8eologia with the meaning discourse on god around 380 BCE in Republic Book ii Ch 18 379a The Latin author Boethius writing in the early 6th century used theologia to denote a subdivision of philosophy as a subject of academic study dealing with the motionless incorporeal reality as opposed to physica which deals with corporeal moving realities Boethius definition influenced medieval Latin usage It is in this which last sense theology as an academic discipline involving the basis of rational study of Christian teaching that the term passed into English in the fourteenth century From the 17th century onwards it also became possible to use the term theology to refer to study of religious ideas and teachings that are not specifically Christian e g in the term natural theology which denoted theology based on reasoning from natural facts independent of specifically Christian revelation Theology can also now be used in a derived sense to mean a system of theoretical principles an impractical or rigid ideology Theological developmentIndian theology The earliest theological reflections in Hinduism are found in the Rg Veda the oldest sacred text Here an abstract Supreme Being is acknowledged as self originating and the source of all phenomena Vedic gods including Indra Varuna and Vishnu share common characteristics They are said to have created the universe set the sun in the sky and propped apart heaven and earth These gods are susceptible to human praise and their personifications vary Hindu theology embraces panentheism believing that the Supreme Soul Parmatma both transcends and pervades the universe This underlying principle unifies the diverse pantheon of gods and goddesses While Hinduism appears polytheistic due to its many deities it is essentially monotheistic recognising the unity of the divine The Bhakti movement medieval period emphasized intense devotion to a personal deity Bhakti theologians like Ramanuja Madhva and Chaitanya advocated for loving surrender to God Devotional texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana shaped theological thought by emphasizing devotion ethics and the pursuit of moksha liberation Shankara the founder of Advaita Vedanta expounded non dualism advaita by asserting that the individual soul jivatman is identical to the Supreme Soul Brahman This philosophical theology influenced Hindu thought emphasizing self realization and the illusory nature of the material world In contemporary Hinduism theologians engage with issues like social justice environmental ethics and interfaith dialogue Theological reflection continues to evolve drawing from ancient texts philosophical traditions and the lived experiences of practitioners Christian theology Christian theology in scholastics of the Middle Age regarded as the queen of sciences The 16th century Protestant reformation in the spirit of Renaissance humanism paid great attention to the study of biblical text accompanied by outbursts of popular theology in personal religious fervor Recent Christian theological movements include Liberation theology liberal theology and fundamentalism Islamic theology From the late 19th century onward Islamic theology adapted to changing contexts Scholars in Arab countries Turkey Iran India Central Asia and Indonesia explored diverse theological perspectives Modern theologians grappled with issues like secularism pluralism and the compatibility of Islamic teachings with contemporary life See alsoOutline of theologyReferencesLiddell Henry George amp Scott Robert 1940 A Greek English Lexicon Revised and augmented throughout by Sir Henry Stuart Jones with the assistance of Roderick McKenzie Oxford Clarendon Press p 667 Boethius 2004 De Trinitate On the Holy Trinity PDF Translated by Kenyon Erik C Retrieved 11 November 2012 Evans G R 1980 Old Arts and New Theology The Beginnings of Theology as an Academic Discipline Oxford Clarendon Press pp 31 32 See the note in the Oxford English Dictionary entry for theology Oxford English Dictionary sense 1 Oxford English Dictionary 1989 edition Theology sense 1 d and Theological sense A 3 the earliest reference given is from the 1959 Times Literary Supplement 5 June 329 4 The theological approach to Soviet Marxism proves in the long run unsatisfactory Bose Mandakranta 2015 Chapter 27 Hinduism In Thatcher Adrian ed The Oxford Handbook of Theology Sexuality and Gender Oxford University Press pp 450 466 ISBN 978 0 19 966415 3 Retrieved 6 July 2024 Gold Ann G amp Doniger Wendy 2 July 2024 Hinduism Sacred texts Theology Britannica com Retrieved 6 July 2024 Theology Hindupedia the Hindu Encyclopedia Retrieved 6 July 2024 Athyal Jesudas 10 August 2023 Theology in India St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology Zakai Avihu 22 July 2010 Regina Scientiarum Theology as the Queen of Sciences Jonathan Edwards s Philosophy of Nature The Re enchantment of the World in the Age of Scientific Reasoning T amp T Clark theology London A amp C Black published 2010 p 56 ISBN 978 0 56722 650 1 Retrieved 19 July 2021 in the medieval scholastic world theology was defined as the Queen of Sciences Whitney James Pounder 1907 The History of the Reformation reprint ed S P C K published 1958 p 36 Retrieved 19 July 2021 In the Middle Ages as at all times popular theology had on many points outrun authorised theology the fifteenth century was overladen both in bold speculations and practical details by the results of past generations Wielandt Rotraud 2015 Chapter 40 Main Trends of Islamic Theological Thought from the Late Nineteenth Century to Present Times In Schmidtke Sabine ed The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Theology Oxford University Press pp 707 764 ISBN 978 0 19 969670 3 Retrieved 6 July 2024 External linksLibrary resources about History of theology Resources in your library Resources in other libraries Look up theology in Wiktionary the free dictionary Wikiversity has learning resources about School Theology Wikiquote has quotations related to theology Theology Encyclopaedia Britannica 27 September 2024 Chattopadhyay Subhasis 2014 Narasimhananda Swami ed Reflections on Hindu Theology Prabuddha Bharata or Awakened India 120 12 664 672 ISSN 0032 6178 Theology public domain audiobook at LibriVox
