Ascetic theology

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."
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         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.).
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         Theology is ordered knowledge; representing in the
         region of the intellect what religion represents in the
         heart and life of man.                   --Gladstone.
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   {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.).
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Ascetic \As*cet"ic\, n.
   In the early church, one who devoted himself to a solitary
   and contemplative life, characterized by devotion, extreme
   self-denial, and self-mortification; a hermit; a recluse;
   hence, one who practices extreme rigor and self-denial in
   religious things.
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         I am far from commending those ascetics that take up
         their quarters in deserts.               --Norris.
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   {Ascetic theology}, the science which treats of the practice
      of the theological and moral virtues, and the counsels of
      perfection. --Am. Cyc.
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