Variantteista

Variantteista is a Finnish-language term that appears in some discussions of theology to refer to adherents of or ideas associated with variant theism. It is not part of a standardized or widely recognized school within the philosophy of religion, and its exact meaning can vary between authors. In general, variantteista may be used to describe one of two related ideas: (1) the view that there are multiple coherent variants of theism that can be considered valid within a single overarching worldview, and (2) advocates who study or promote cross-cultural or cross-conceptual comparisons of divine concepts, stressing the plurality of conceptions of divinity rather than a single orthodox model.

Usage and reception: because the term is informal and localized to Finnish-language discourse, there is limited scholarly consensus on its scope or boundaries. Some writers may use it to discuss tolerance toward doctrinal diversity, while others might frame it as a methodological approach to comparing different theistic traditions, including classical theism, open theism, process theology, deism, and even certain forms of polytheism. Critics may argue that “variant theism” risks blurring important doctrinal distinctions between traditions or obscuring the unique claims of specific theologies.

See also: theism, open theism, process theology, deism, polytheism, religious pluralism. Note that variantteista is not a widely established label, and its precise sense depends on the context and author.