What does theology mean?

[Michie]

The most basic definition of theology refers to the "study of God," but the term can cover a wide variety of topics.

Theology is an area of study that impacts every part of the Church, as it concerns the very heart of Christian beliefs.

However, the word can be confusing to some and can appear to be very abstract.

The Church has a variety of definitions of theology, such as the following explanation in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

The Fathers of the Church distinguish between theology (theologia) and economy (oikonomia). “Theology” refers to the mystery of God’s inmost life within the Blessed Trinity and “economy” to all the works by which God reveals himself and communicates his life. Through the oikonomia the theologia is revealed to us; but conversely, the theologia illuminates the whole oikonomia. God’s works reveal who he is in himself; the mystery of his inmost being enlightens our understanding of all his works. So it is, analogously, among human persons. A person discloses himself in his actions, and the better we know a person, the better we understand his actions.
CCC 236

In this definition, theology refers to the “inmost life within the Blessed Trinity.” Anything that concerns God and who he is, could be called theology.

Rational discourse about God​

Continued below.

What does theology mean?

Theology is an area of study that impacts every part of the Church, as it concerns the very heart of Christian beliefs. Theology can be defined in many ways.

aleteia.org