Speculative 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."
   [1913 Webster]

         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.).
   [1913 Webster]

         Theology is ordered knowledge; representing in the
         region of the intellect what religion represents in the
         heart and life of man.                   --Gladstone.
   [1913 Webster]

   {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.).
      [1913 Webster]