REED

The study of God, divine truth, and religious belief

Theology

Origin of Theology

Theos (God) + logos (study)

What are the 4 religious beliefs?

Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism (77% of the world’s population)

How many percent does the world follows one of those four religions and identifies as nonreligious?

92%

What is the famous definition of St. Anselm

Fides quaerens intellectum

What is the role of theology in human understanding?

Helps interpret life’s meaning and purpose

Guides moral decision-making

Shapes culture and values

Promotes interfaith dialogue

Deepens personal relationship with God

Faith Seeking Understanding

means that theology starts with faith in God and His revelation.

What are the involvement of seeking understanding?

Elucidation

Coherence

Contextualization

Defense

Deepening Appreciation

Pope John Paul II

Who said that encyclical powerfully articulates the Catholic understanding of faith and reason as “two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth”

Faith (fides)

A gift from God that allows belief in divine revelation.

Reason (Intellectus)

The human capacity to seek truth through rational inquiry.

Sacred Scripture

Sacred Tradition

Magisterium

Human Experience and Reason

What are sources of theology?

The inspired Word of God, serving as the primary source and norm of faith.

Sacred Scripture (The Bible)

The living transmission of the Gospel message through the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit. This includes the teachings of the Church Fathers, the liturgy, ecumenical councils, and the continuous teaching authority of the Magisterium.

Sacred Tradition

The teaching authority of the Church (Pope and bishops in communion with him), which authentically interprets Scripture and Tradition.

Magisterium

deepening faith

intellectual growth

spiritual formation

evangelization and apologetics

discerning truth

Why study Theology?

St. Augustine

St. Anselm of Canterbury

St. Thomas Aquinas

Vatican II

Who are the key figures in theological development?

St. Augustine

He emphasized that faith precedes understanding

St. Anselm of Canterbury

He defined theology as “Faith seeking understanding”

St. Thomas Aquinas

Integrated faith and reason, showing that theology is a science

Vatican II

Reaffirmed theology’s role in engaging with modern thought (Dei Verbum).

Dogmatic Theology

Moral Theology

Biblical Theology

Spiritual Theology

Natural Theology

What are branches of Theology?

Studies Church doctrines (e.g., Trinity, Incarnation).

Dogmatic Theology

Moral Theology

Examines ethical living in light of faith.

Biblical Theology

Interprets Scripture within the Tradition.

Spiritual Theology

Explores prayer and mystical experiences.

Natural Theology

Uses reason to know God apart from revelation.

Bishop Ambrose of Milan

Who baptized St. Augustine?

North Africa in 391 CE

When and where was St. Augustine ordained as a priest?

396 CE

When did St. Augustine became the Bishop of Hippo?

• Help interprets life’s meaning

• Guides in moral decision-making

• Shapes values and culture

• Promotes interfaith dialogue

• Deepens personal relationship with God

What is the role of theology in human understanding?

• Reflects on joy, suffering, hope, and mortality

• Provides answers to existential questions

• Bridges science, philosophy, and spirituality

What is theology in human experience?

• In personal life: builds ethical foundation

• In society: influences justice and peace

• In education: nurtures critical thinking and wisdom

What is the practical relevance of theology?

110 works

How many books did St. Augustine authored?

Doctrine of original sin

the city of God

concept of just war

grace & predestination

what are key theological contributions of St. Augustine?

divinely permitted instrument

How did St. Augustine viewed the roman empire?

Doctor of the Church

He is recognized as one of the most significant figures in Christian theology and philosophy

430 CE during the Vandal Siege of Hippo

When and where did St. Augustine died?