from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
[1913 Webster]
I am far from commending those ascetics that take up
their quarters in deserts. --Norris.
[1913 Webster]
{Ascetic theology}, the science which treats of the practice
of the theological and moral virtues, and the counsels of
perfection. --Am. Cyc.
[1913 Webster]