theologically
In religious terms
In a manner relating to theology—the study of God, religious belief, and spiritual matters.
Something stated theologically engages questions of divine nature, doctrine, or faith: Theologically, the two denominations differ on predestination.
The word often signals that a claim operates within religious rather than secular or scientific frameworks.
Unchallengeable official beliefs
- creedStatement of belief
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- canonAccepted authoritative works
catechism · eschatology · ecclesiology · predestination · transubstantiation · incarnation · atonement · trinity
Critical textual interpretation
- hermeneuticsStudy of interpretation methods
- seminaryClergy training college
- homileticsScience of sermon-making
- dogmaticsStudy of church doctrine
biblical · scripture · commentary · systematic · ordination · doctorate · academic · dissertation
Study of right conduct
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- sanctificationMaking someone or something sacred
- holinessSacred spiritual purity
purity · justice · conscience · natural law · divine command · casuistry · sin · redemption
Surpassing usual limits
- immanenceQuality of residing within
- omnipotenceUnlimited universal power
- omniscienceUnlimited knowledge state
- providenceDivine protective care
revelation · theophany · incarnation · deity · godhead · holiness · sovereignty · eternality
Pursuit of divine union
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- asceticismSevere self-denial practice
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- pietySincere religious devotion
meditation · prayer · communion · illumination · sanctity · monasticism · quietism · spiritual direction
Philosophy of existence's nature
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- teleologyStudy of purpose in nature
- cosmologyStudy of universal structure
existentialism · phenomenology · dualism · monism · naturalism · supernaturalism · realism · nominalism
Rejection of deities
- agnosticismDoubt about divine existence
- deismNon-intervening creator belief
- animismSpirits inhabit all things
- gnosticismPrivileging inner revelation
dualism · materialism · nihilism · syncretism · pluralism · exclusivism · inclusivism · universalism
dogma
Unchallengeable official beliefs
- creedStatement of belief
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
canon · catechism · eschatology · ecclesiology · predestination · transubstantiation · incarnation · atonement · trinity · sacrament
exegesis
Critical textual interpretation
- hermeneuticsStudy of interpretation methods
- seminaryClergy training college
- homileticsScience of sermon-making
dogmatics · biblical · scripture · commentary · systematic · ordination · doctorate · academic · dissertation · peer-reviewed
ethics
Study of right conduct
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- sanctificationMaking someone or something sacred
holiness · purity · justice · conscience · natural law · divine command · casuistry · sin · redemption · repentance
transcendence
Surpassing usual limits
- immanenceQuality of residing within
- omnipotenceUnlimited universal power
- omniscienceUnlimited knowledge state
providence · revelation · theophany · incarnation · deity · godhead · holiness · sovereignty · eternality · immutability
mysticism
Pursuit of divine union
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- asceticismSevere self-denial practice
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
piety · meditation · prayer · communion · illumination · sanctity · monasticism · quietism · spiritual direction · discernment
metaphysics
Philosophy of existence's nature
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- teleologyStudy of purpose in nature
cosmology · existentialism · phenomenology · dualism · monism · naturalism · supernaturalism · realism · nominalism · scholasticism
atheism
Rejection of deities
- agnosticismDoubt about divine existence
- deismNon-intervening creator belief
- animismSpirits inhabit all things
gnosticism · dualism · materialism · nihilism · syncretism · pluralism · exclusivism · inclusivism · universalism
theologicallyscientifically
By systematic investigation
empirically · experimentally · naturalistically · secularly · rationally
theologicallyatheistically
Without belief in gods
secularly · godlessly · agnostically · impiously · sacrilegiously
theologicallysecularly
Without religious context
mundanely · temporally · practically · materially · worldly
- 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