Towards a Definition of Theology
Added on 2023-04-20
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Religion
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Running head: TOWRARDS A DEFINITION OF THEOLOGY
TOWARDS A DEFINITION OF THEOLOGY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:
TOWARDS A DEFINITION OF THEOLOGY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:
1TOWARDS A DEFINITION OF THEOLOGY
Theology has a wide range of interpretations. The most basic definition of the term is
that it is the study of the nature of God, in relation to the universe (Vanhoozer & Warner,
2016). However, such definitions inform less than what they ignore. Various cultures and
religions have their own understandings of God, and interpretations about what God has
revealed about him. But, a clear understanding of the term still remains vague across the
globe. The purpose of this essay is to attempt at defining the meaning of theology, in a way
that could hold true for all religions and cultures.
Michelangelo’s painting called the “creation of Adam” depicts a lot about ancient
theology. It describes how god has been involved in the lives of mankind and its behaviors
from the very beginning of time (Di Bella et al., 2015). But with such concepts of theology
getting old, the need to arrive at a proper conclusion regarding the meaning of contemporary
theology, is greater than ever before. Post the renaissance, the idea that church was the sole
mouthpiece of god, and no one else could interpret the nature of god and his relevance to
mankind, gradually began to erode, giving way to the medieval European ideals. Protests
began to take place against the idea that the church held all the knowledge about god. From
Martin Luther nailing 95 theses on the church door to protest against the excesses of the
church, to Copernicus being the first to theorize that the earth is not the center of the
universe, as opposed to the church’s teachings, theories about god’s nature and relevance to
mankind began to evolve (Henry, 2017). Francis Bacon made a breakthrough in this by
suggesting that people can perhaps learn more about the nature and behavior of everything
around them, scientifically rather than from exaggerated explanations that the church
provides them with. Renee Descartes later stated that rationale was necessary in order to gain
proper knowledge on things. According to him, the curiosity to know the truth could fetch
more accurate knowledge to an individual than the blind faith in the church ever will.
Theology has a wide range of interpretations. The most basic definition of the term is
that it is the study of the nature of God, in relation to the universe (Vanhoozer & Warner,
2016). However, such definitions inform less than what they ignore. Various cultures and
religions have their own understandings of God, and interpretations about what God has
revealed about him. But, a clear understanding of the term still remains vague across the
globe. The purpose of this essay is to attempt at defining the meaning of theology, in a way
that could hold true for all religions and cultures.
Michelangelo’s painting called the “creation of Adam” depicts a lot about ancient
theology. It describes how god has been involved in the lives of mankind and its behaviors
from the very beginning of time (Di Bella et al., 2015). But with such concepts of theology
getting old, the need to arrive at a proper conclusion regarding the meaning of contemporary
theology, is greater than ever before. Post the renaissance, the idea that church was the sole
mouthpiece of god, and no one else could interpret the nature of god and his relevance to
mankind, gradually began to erode, giving way to the medieval European ideals. Protests
began to take place against the idea that the church held all the knowledge about god. From
Martin Luther nailing 95 theses on the church door to protest against the excesses of the
church, to Copernicus being the first to theorize that the earth is not the center of the
universe, as opposed to the church’s teachings, theories about god’s nature and relevance to
mankind began to evolve (Henry, 2017). Francis Bacon made a breakthrough in this by
suggesting that people can perhaps learn more about the nature and behavior of everything
around them, scientifically rather than from exaggerated explanations that the church
provides them with. Renee Descartes later stated that rationale was necessary in order to gain
proper knowledge on things. According to him, the curiosity to know the truth could fetch
more accurate knowledge to an individual than the blind faith in the church ever will.
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