theology
    n 1: the rational and systematic study of religion and its
         influences and of the nature of religious truth [syn:
         theology, divinity]
    2: a particular system or school of religious beliefs and
       teachings; "Jewish theology"; "Roman Catholic theology" [syn:
       theology, theological system]
    3: the learned profession acquired by specialized courses in
       religion (usually taught at a college or seminary); "he
       studied theology at Oxford"

Theology \The*ol"o*gy\, n.; pl. Theologies. [L. theologia, Gr.
   ?; ? God + ? discourse: cf. F. th['e]ologie. See Theism,
   and Logic.]
   The science of God or of religion; the science which treats
   of the existence, character, and attributes of God, his laws
   and government, the doctrines we are to believe, and the
   duties we are to practice; divinity; (as more commonly
   understood) "the knowledge derivable from the Scriptures, the
   systematic exhibition of revealed truth, the science of
   Christian faith and life."
   [1913 Webster]

         Many speak of theology as a science of religion
         [instead of "science of God"] because they disbelieve
         that there is any knowledge of God to be attained.
                                                  --Prof. R.
                                                  Flint (Enc.
                                                  Brit.).
   [1913 Webster]

         Theology is ordered knowledge; representing in the
         region of the intellect what religion represents in the
         heart and life of man.                   --Gladstone.
   [1913 Webster]

   Ascetic theology, Natural theology. See Ascetic,
      Natural.

   Moral theology, that phase of theology which is concerned
      with moral character and conduct.

   Revealed theology, theology which is to be learned only
      from revelation.

   Scholastic theology, theology as taught by the scholastics,
      or as prosecuted after their principles and methods.

   Speculative theology, theology as founded upon, or
      influenced by, speculation or metaphysical philosophy.

   Systematic theology, that branch of theology of which the
      aim is to reduce all revealed truth to a series of
      statements that together shall constitute an organized
      whole. --E. G. Robinson (Johnson's Cyc.).
      [1913 Webster]

theology
 n.

    1. Ironically or humorously used to refer to religious issues.

    2. Technical fine points of an abstruse nature, esp. those where the
    resolution is of theoretical interest but is relatively marginal with
    respect to actual use of a design or system. Used esp. around software
    issues with a heavy AI or language-design component, such as the smart-data
    vs. smart-programs dispute in AI.

theology

   1. Ironically or humorously used to refer to religious
   issues.

   2. Technical fine points of an abstruse nature, especially
   those where the resolution is of theoretical interest but is
   relatively marginal with respect to actual use of a design
   or system.  Used especially around software issues with a
   heavy AI or language-design component, such as the smart-data
   vs.  smart-programs dispute in AI.

   [Jargon File]