theological

Theological is an adjective relating to theology, the study of the divine, religious beliefs, and the systems by which communities articulate faith. The term covers topics such as the existence and character of God or gods, revelation, salvation, and the meaning of sacred texts. Etymology: from Greek theologia, theos + logos, via Latin theologia, and into English in the early modern period.

In practice, theological inquiry occurs within religious traditions as well as in secular scholarship. Subfields include historical theology, which studies how doctrines have developed; systematic theology, which seeks coherent statements about God and faith; moral or practical theology, which applies belief to life and ministry; and philosophical theology, which analyzes arguments about God using secular methods.

Theological work may be exegetical, using sacred texts to interpret beliefs, or critical, examining presuppositions and implications. Theological discourse intersects with philosophy, ethics, anthropology, and comparative religion. Debates commonly concern the nature of revelation, divine attributes, the relationship between faith and reason, and the problem of evil.

Theological inquiry is found across traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, and can function in confessional, ecumenical, or academic contexts. While the term implies normative aims—articulating what adherents ought to believe or do—it also encompasses descriptive analyses of how communities understand the divine and their identities.