theologize
Ponder sacred matters
Theologize is to engage in theological speculation or discourse—to reason about God, religious doctrine, or spiritual matters in a systematic way.
The word often carries a slightly dismissive tone, suggesting abstract or impractical religious philosophizing: He'd rather theologize than actually help people.
They spent hours theologizing about free will and predestination.
Study of interpretation methods
- dogmaticsStudy of church doctrine
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- biblical criticismScholarly analysis of scriptures
- seminaryClergy training college
divinity school · homiletics · textual analysis · redaction · historical-critical · scholasticism · dialectical
Unchallengeable official beliefs
- creedStatement of belief
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- canonAccepted authoritative works
catechism · exegesis · ecclesiology · eschatology · sacrament · providence · transubstantiation · atonement
Propose a tentative explanation
- ponderThink deeply about
- contemplateConsider something thoroughly
- postulateAssumed starting point
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
theorize · reason · deduce · philosophize · deliberate · meditate · synthesize · abstract
Clergy's worship address
- homilyReligious discourse on scripture
- pulpitChurch speaking platform
- evangelizeSpread religious doctrine actively
- proselytizeAdvocate one's beliefs
gospel · testimony · witness · proclamation · preaching · exhortation · teaching · prophetic
Focused attention practice
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- mysticismPursuit of divine union
- theophanyVisible appearance of deity
divine union · illumination · dark night · via negativa · ecstasy · rapture · ineffable · numinous
Right and wrong principles
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- justiceFair treatment under law
- conscienceInternal moral sense
duty · natural law · divine command · casuistry · bioethics · sin · redemption · forgiveness
hermeneutics
Study of interpretation methods
- dogmaticsStudy of church doctrine
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- biblical criticismScholarly analysis of scriptures
seminary · divinity school · homiletics · textual analysis · redaction · historical-critical · scholasticism · dialectical
dogma
Unchallengeable official beliefs
- creedStatement of belief
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
canon · catechism · exegesis · ecclesiology · eschatology · sacrament · providence · transubstantiation · atonement · predestination
hypothesize
Propose a tentative explanation
- ponderThink deeply about
- contemplateConsider something thoroughly
- postulateAssumed starting point
conjecture · theorize · reason · deduce · philosophize · deliberate · meditate · synthesize · abstract · teleological
sermon
Clergy's worship address
- homilyReligious discourse on scripture
- pulpitChurch speaking platform
- evangelizeSpread religious doctrine actively
proselytize · gospel · testimony · witness · proclamation · preaching · exhortation · teaching · prophetic · pastoral
meditation
Focused attention practice
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- mysticismPursuit of divine union
theophany · divine union · illumination · dark night · via negativa · ecstasy · rapture · ineffable · numinous · sacred
morality
Right and wrong principles
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- justiceFair treatment under law
conscience · duty · natural law · divine command · casuistry · bioethics · sin · redemption · forgiveness · repentance
theologizeexperiment
Systematic investigation procedure
secularize · observe · measure · naturalize · physicalize
- 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, theologian, theologies, theologically, theologizing