What is the difference between theology and philosophy?

Answer 1

Theology: The study of the nature of God and religious truth; rational inquiry into religious questions.


Philosophy: Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.

Answer 2

I like the Study of God and the Love of Wisdom. We need to remember the old saw that the Greeks "had a word for everything."

These days political correctness is about defining words so as to cut off an unfavored side of debate. I call them word thieves.

Right or wrong, in this realm, the person with the last word wins -- even if it isn't the right word.** I learned this from experience, philosophy and mother! And now it is being reinforced by the politically correct.

I look at theology as dwelling outside any single religious concept yet within the framework of philosophy. I look at philosophy as not limited to the questioning of anything including the latest scientific proofs or the most touted religious ideas.

** (People tell me there is an exception in New York City where the winner is the one who shouts the loudest). Am not sure of this as I have never been there.

Answer 3

Theology (Greek θεος, theos, "God", + λογια, logia, "words," "sayings," or "discourse") is reasoned discourse concerning religion, spirituality and God or the gods. Theologians use rational analysis and argument to understand, explain, test, critique, defend or promote any of a myriad of religious topics. Theology might be undertaken to help the theologian understand more truly his or her own religious tradition,understand more truly another religious tradition,make comparisons between religious traditions, defend a religious tradition, facilitate reform of a particular tradition,assist in the propagation of a religious tradition,or draw on the resources of a tradition to address some present situation or need or for a variety of other reasons.

The word 'theology' has classical Greek origins, but was slowly given new senses when it was taken up in both Greek and Latin forms by Christian authors. It is the subsequent history of the term in Christian contexts, particularly in the Latin West, that lies behind most contemporary usage, but the term can now be used to speak of reasoned discourse within and about a variety of different religious traditions.Various aspects both of the process by which the discipline of ‘theology’ emerged in Christianity and the process by which the term was extended to other religions are highly controversial.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology
Philosophy is a discipline concerned with the questions of what is the best way to live (ethics), what sorts of things ultimately exist and what are their essential natures (metaphysics), what is to count as genuine knowledge (epistemology), and what are the correct principles of reasoning (logic).

The word itself is derived from the Ancient Greek φιλοσοφία (philosophía), compounded from φίλος (phílos: friend, or lover) and σοφία (sophía: wisdom).

Though no definition of philosophy is uncontroversial, it is generally agreed to be a method, rather than a set of claims, propositions or theories. Its investigations are, unlike those of religion or superstition, wedded to reason, making no unexamined assumptions, no leaps based purely on analogy, revelation, or authority. Of course, different philosophers have had differing ideas about the nature of that reason. There is also disagreement about the subject matter of philosophy. Some think that philosophy examines the process of inquiry itself. Others, that there are essential philosophical propositions which it is the task of philosophy to prove.

Although the word "philosophy" originates in the Western tradition, many figures in the history of other cultures have addressed similar topics in similar ways. The philosophers of the Far East are discussed in Eastern philosophy, while the philosophers of North Africa and the Near East, because of their strong interactions with Europe, are usually considered part of Western Philosophy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy

Answer 4

They are interdependent. Religion without philosophy is simply sentiment. Philosophy without religion is dry speculaton.

One can be a great philosopher, but if one does not apply the philosophy to his own life, what is the value of it? The application of philosophy in a consistent manner is religion. I may hold the philosophy that knowledge is the highest value. I apply that philosophy by reading, researching, consulting, seeking education, etc. If I regulate my behavior and activities to reflect philosophical values, I am considered to be seeking knowledge "religiously". But, if I simply speculate on so many different possibilities, without any application, what is the purpose of philosophical intellectualizing?

One can be a member of a large religion, but if one does not regulate his behavior and activities to reflect the philosophy of the religion, then his so-called religiosity is no more than sentimental attachment to one group of people or another, in name only. Again, what is the value? There are so many Christians, Hindus, Muslims, etc. I may call myself a "______", but if that association has no bearing on my behavior, attitudes, and activities, then my membership means nothing at all.

Answer 5

Theology deals with matters of religious faith. Philosophy deals with the the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics.

Answer 6

Theology=1: the study of religious faith, practice, and experience; especially : the study of God and of God's relation to the world
Philosophy=search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means.
That's the diff.

Answer 7

Biblical theology is God's wisdom; philosophy is man's wisdom.

Not that we can never learn anything from the wisdom of man; we just shouldn't elevate it's value above God's teachings.

Answer 8

Theology entails God whereas philosophy doesn't necessarily need to involve the supernatural.

Answer 9

They both engage in heated debates.

They both ask non answerable questions :P

They both have pompous members :D

And they cant do crap when theyre stuck in a cave in.. so the man who knows less has to come in and find a way out by using pure common sense.

^^

Answer 10

theology depends on religion , that god sent ,

philosophy based on one own thoughts , wisedom , experience , which may be also based on ones relgion!!

that what i think .

peace.