what is theology

Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine, or more broadly of religious belief. It is an academic discipline that is typically taught in universities and seminaries. The term "theology" comes from two Greek words: "theos" meaning "God" and "logos" meaning "word". The study of theology may help a theologian more deeply understand their own religious tradition, another religious tradition, or it may enable them to explore the nature of divinity without reference to any specific tradition. Theology may be used to propagate, reform, or justify a religious tradition; or it may be used to compare, challenge, or oppose a religious tradition or worldview. The themes of theology include God, humanity, the world, salvation, and eschatology (the study of last times). Theology is not limited to Christianity, but it is a peculiarly Christian concept that is not readily transferable to any other religion. Theology is important because it provides answers to questions about the meaning of life, deepens knowledge of God, defends faith, and provides a practical understanding of our relationship to God, human nature, and salvation through Jesus Christ.