theologically

Theologically is an English adverb that indicates something is related to theology or is expressed from a theological perspective. It is used to describe how a claim, interpretation, or action is framed in terms of religious doctrine, sacred texts, or faith-based reasoning rather than secular considerations.

Etymology stems from theology, the study of the nature of God and religious belief. The term theology comes from late Latin theologia, derived from Greek theologia, which combines theos meaning “god” with logia meaning “study” or “speech.” The suffix -ly forms the adverb theologically from the adjective theological.

In scholarly and religious discourse, theologically often marks a frame of reference that contrasts with other modes of analysis, such as philosophically, historically, or sociologically. For example, one might say, “The council’s decision was theologically motivated,” or “The interpretation is theologically grounded in scripture.” The word thus signals that conclusions are drawn within a particular doctrinal or faith-based framework.

Related terms include theological (adjective) and theology (noun). The adverb theologically can imply alignment with a specific tradition’s doctrines, so authors and speakers should consider audience and context to avoid conflating personal belief with universal or cross-traditional claims.