Doctor of Theology

Theologiae Doctor, abbreviated as Dr. theol. is the Latin name for doctoral degrees in Christian theology.

This title was not until the early modern period, the highest academic degree, and thus equivalent to today's university professor. Thus, for example, by Martin Luther, as well as his reputation as a theologian had long since penetrated beyond about Wittenberg, continue to speak of " the Doctor Luther".

Study regulations

Today's study systems of theology write next to the completion of a relevant degree (which usually conclude with a master's or a Master's degree ) in front of a dissertation and an approximately two-year " doctoral studies ".

The dissertation (also called " thesis " ) has the ability to do research work to demonstrate and contain new information. The conclusion of the procedure usually makes the Defensio ( defense of dissertation) and the viva ( " rigorous examination " ) with detailed regulations, as they correspond to the respective university doctoral regulations.

The majority of Catholic priests and Protestant pastors have completed the theology studies, however, with the diploma or the ecclesiastical examination (or by law). The doctoral degree strive especially for those theologians who are interested in specific research or a university career.

Professional association

For Catholic and Protestant theology, the dissertation is to be assigned one of the following areas as a rule:

Systematic Theology

  • Fundamental Theology, Philosophy of Religion and Religious Studies
  • Ethics and Moral Theology
  • Dogmatics (among Christology, Trinitarian theology, ecclesiology, eschatology Theological anthropology )

Practical Theology

( Pastoral care and their fundamental subjects)

  • Pastoral Theology and Diakonik
  • Religious Education and Catechetics
  • Liturgics and Homiletics
  • Mission Studies
  • Church Music
  • Canon Law

Biblical Theology

  • Hermeneutics
  • Exegesis of the Old Testament (history, theology, ethics )
  • Exegesis of the New Testament (history, theology, ethics )

Church History

  • Older church history, Christian archeology and Patristic: Early Christianity and the Church Fathers
  • Medieval and Modern Church History: Middle Ages, Reformation, modern times and Ecumenism
  • Dogmas or theological history
  • PhD
Watercolor painting History of the term "Catholic" evangelic Dogmatic theology Religious law Biblical studies Patrologia Protestant Reformation
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