So… What is Theology?
If you are reading this, you’re probably wondering what Theology is, and maybe why you’d want to study it. Isn’t theology just for ministers or scholars? What use is it to me? Will studying theology stop me from living out my faith?
The word theology comes from two Greek words: Theos (God) and Logos (Word, or Reason). Simply put, it means “the study of God.” It is one of the oldest forms of study—a tradition carried by monks, hermits, and faithful people throughout generations across the world. But that’s only the beginning.
Faith Seeking Understanding
In his Proslogion (I), Anselm of Canterbury describes theology as “faith seeking understanding,” further elaborating that “I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but rather, I believe in order that I may understand.” That changes things for an academic setting, doesn’t it? Theology isn’t just for the spectacled few, beginning with arm-length, heady, books; it’s for anyone with faith who wants to dive deeper. It begins in the personal experience of faith, and it seeks to grow roots, bear fruit, and shape how we live. It’s the academic exploration of faith: wrestling with different beliefs, examining their foundations, understanding their implications, and tracing how they’ve been lived and articulated by Christians throughout history and across cultures.
“I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but rather, I believe in order that I may understand.” – Anselm of Canterbury
Theology is both deeply confessional and academic. It’s found in hands flicking through pages, reading and re-reading, writing and typing essays. But it’s also found in hands clasped in prayer or raised in worship. The study of theology in a confessional college is Spirit-filled and Christ-centred—it roots powerful sermons and nurtures communities of faith that genuinely change lives.
What Can I Do With A Theology Degree?
Theology shapes leaders who don’t just know the Bible, but live it. That is, people who want to be equipped to “to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with [their] God” (Micah 6:8). More than that, it deepens personal relationships with God, with the world, and with God in the world. It asks the big questions about human nature, the created world, sin, holiness, and the ongoing work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It tackles ethics and how to live a faithful life, and it shapes pastoral care that’s meaningful, compassionate, and rooted in divine love. It forms folk who are equipped to plant, water, and tend to healthy churches.
Studying theology grows us spiritually, intellectually, and socially. It equips us to live as kingdom people, not just in heaven, but also in the world. It helps us to understand God’s presence in the world, and learn how to live wisely, lovingly, and faithfully within it. It teaches us to pray unceasingly, speak thoughtfully, think deeply, love even more deeply, lament authentically, and imagine boldly, even prophetically.
Whether you’re discerning a call to ministry, interested in counselling or education, passionate about working with charities or faith-based organisations, or simply longing to explore your faith more deeply, you are welcome here.
