theology

noun

the·​ol·​o·​gy thē-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce theology (audio)
plural theologies
1
: the study of religious faith, practice, and experience
especially : the study of God and of God's relation to the world
2
a
: a theological theory or system
Thomist theology
a theology of atonement
b
: a distinctive body of theological opinion
Catholic theology
3
: a usually 4-year course of specialized religious training in a Roman Catholic major seminary

Examples of theology in a Sentence

He has an interest in theology and pastoral work. The bishop was opposed to the group's theology.
Recent Examples on the Web While the beliefs and theologies of various religions differ, all seem to share a sense of wonder about the solar eclipse. Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024 Belief in UFOs sits uneasily between science and theology. The New York Review of Books, 29 Mar. 2024 Improv theology is the idea that something similar is true of life. Marisa Iati, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 His nearly two decades teaching canon law and moral theology at a Chicago seminary shaped his perspective to be clear about church teachings, Avella said. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 The palace of God Maimonides’ philosophical writing is filled with debate and disagreement between him, fellow rabbis, Jewish philosophers and the Kalam, a medieval tradition of Islamic theology. Randy L. Friedman, The Conversation, 16 Feb. 2024 Whoever next wins the presidency should seek the effective end of the usual arms-control theology before the tide turns again. John R. Bolton, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024 According to the website, Mark Middleton has a master’s degree in theology and two business degrees. James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024 The United Methodist Church is part of the tradition of mainline Protestantism that now tends to be broadly progressive in its theology and traditional in its worship style. Ruth Graham, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'theology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English theologie, from Anglo-French, from Latin theologia, from Greek, from the- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of theology was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near theology

Cite this Entry

“Theology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theology. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

theology

noun
the·​ol·​o·​gy thē-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce theology (audio)
plural theologies
1
: the study of religion
2
: a set of religious beliefs
theologian
ˌthē-ə-ˈlō-jən
noun
theological
-ˈläj-i-kəl
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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