theologian
Studies sacred texts
A theologian is a person who studies or is an expert in theology—the systematic study of the nature of God, religious belief, and religious practice.
Theologians may work within a particular faith tradition, interpreting sacred texts and doctrines, or they may take a comparative or philosophical approach across religions.
The term applies both to academic scholars and to religious thinkers whose writings shape doctrine.
Augustine was one of the most influential theologians in Christian history.
Unchallengeable official beliefs
- creedStatement of belief
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- heterodoxyUnorthodox belief or opinion
catechism · eschatology · ecclesiology · sacrament · trinity · atonement · incarnation · predestination
Fourth-century church father
- AquinasScholastic philosopher-theologian surname
- LutherProtestant Reformation initiator
- CalvinProtestant Reformation leader
- BarthGermanic family name
Schleiermacher · Kierkegaard · Gutierrez · church fathers · scholasticism · reformation · patristic · medieval
Critical textual interpretation
- hermeneuticsStudy of interpretation methods
- scriptureSacred religious writings
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
- translationConverting between languages
biblical criticism · textual analysis · interpretation · concordance · manuscripts · vulgate · redaction · canonicity
Trust held as true
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- providenceDivine protective care
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- salvationDeliverance from harm
redemption · divine · sacred · transcendence · mystery · witness · vocation · calling
Critical text interpreter
- ethicistExpert in moral theory
- canonistChurch law specialist
- liturgistExpert in worship forms
- hagiographerWriter of saints' lives
Clergy training college
- divinity schoolInstitution for theological education
- doctoral dissertationExtended scholarly work for doctorate
- tenureProtected employment status
- professorshipSenior academic post
religious studies · church history · ethics professor · religious education · lecture · peer review · academic journal · thesis defense
Spoken exchange between parties
- ecumenismMovement toward religious unity
- world religionsMajor global belief systems
- religious pluralismMultiple faiths holding validity
- syncretismFusion of different beliefs
dogma
Unchallengeable official beliefs
- creedStatement of belief
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
heterodoxy · catechism · eschatology · ecclesiology · sacrament · trinity · atonement · incarnation · predestination · transubstantiation
Augustine
Fourth-century church father
- AquinasScholastic philosopher-theologian surname
- LutherProtestant Reformation initiator
- CalvinProtestant Reformation leader
Barth · Schleiermacher · Kierkegaard · Gutierrez · church fathers · scholasticism · reformation · patristic · medieval
exegesis
Critical textual interpretation
- hermeneuticsStudy of interpretation methods
- scriptureSacred religious writings
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
translation · biblical criticism · textual analysis · interpretation · concordance · manuscripts · vulgate · redaction · canonicity
belief
Trust held as true
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- providenceDivine protective care
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
salvation · redemption · divine · sacred · transcendence · mystery · witness · vocation · calling · discernment
exegete
Critical text interpreter
seminary
Clergy training college
- divinity schoolInstitution for theological education
- doctoral dissertationExtended scholarly work for doctorate
- tenureProtected employment status
professorship · religious studies · church history · ethics professor · religious education · lecture · peer review · academic journal · thesis defense · ordination
dialogue
Spoken exchange between parties
- ecumenismMovement toward religious unity
- world religionsMajor global belief systems
- religious pluralismMultiple faiths holding validity
syncretism · contextualization · interreligious · religious diversity
- religious peoplebeliever, devotee, faithful, worshiper, worshipper
- Medieval Scholarsscholastic, schoolman, Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus, William of Ockham
- religious scholarsbiblical scholar, Islamic scholar, exegete, hagiographer, liturgist
- religionChristianity, Islam, beliefs, Judaism, Hinduism
- scholarsscholar, professors, professor, researcher, researchers
- Christian ScholarsAugustine, Aquinas, Thomas Aquinas, Jerome, Athanasius
theologianmaterialist
Values physical over spiritual
secular humanist · scientist · empiricist · naturalist · secularist
theologianatheist
One denying gods exist
antitheist · secular · infidel · unbeliever · skeptic
- theological debateArgument over religious doctrine
- theological differencesDisagreements about religious beliefs
- theological virtuesGod-given moral excellences
- theological discussionsConversations about divine matters
- theological disputesDisagreements about religious doctrine
- theological teachingsReligious belief instruction
theological, theologies, theologically, theologians, theologist, theologizing