Philosophy of Religion vs. Theology

What is Philosophy of Religion? Philosophy of Religion is the branch of philosophy that deals with questions related to the cultural element known as religion. It covers aspects such as the existence of god, how we know that god exists, etc. The questions that are asked are directed at religion in general or a specific religion but still in a general framework.

What is Theology? Theology may be also called religious philosophy. In any specific religion there are questions that arise related to its specific beliefs, values, rules of behavior, practices, principles, history, creation, etc. Theology is the method that a specific religion has to answer these questions. Characteristic of a specific region’s theology is the theology’s commitment to the religion fundamental elements.

Theology of a specific religion is restricted in as much as it is not permitted to challenge these fundamental elements less risk disproving that which it is meant to defend and create support for. For this reason theology is restricted in it pursuit of truth: another way to look at it is to state that truth begins at these fundamental elements (i.e., first principles).

One thing that concerns me is the presents of those that claim to be religious but are unable to take part in their religion’s theology because they either do not know the method or they do not know the debated issues. This is also true for those that while do not proclaim to belong to any specific religion claim to belong a universal category such being Christian, etc. It concerns me because it may lead a claim that god does not exist.

It concerns me because if the members of a religion or a universal category do not know their theology then what prevents their religion from changing, and if this occurs when does it become a new religion. Furthermore, if a religion changes into a new religion then what defense can be put forth to argue that we know nothing of god(s) and if this happens why cannot an argument be put forth that we cannot be assured that god exist: that leads to an argument that because we cannot be assured that god exists then god does not exist as it would sound reasonable that if god exists then he would want us to know.