theologize, v.
(θiːˈɒlədʒaɪz)
[In sense 1, ad. med.L. theologizāre (Albertus Magnus c 1250; also in Aquinas, Duns Scotus, Wyclif, etc.), f. theologia theology: see -ize. So F. théologiser (Godef. Compl.). But the trans. senses may have been formed later directly from theology.]
1. intr. To play the theologian; to discourse or reason theologically; to speculate in theology.
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., Theologize, to preach or play the Divine. 1662 H. More Philos. Writ. Pref. Gen. (1712) 6 My Design, which is not to Theologize in Philosophy. 1721 Earl of Nottingham Answ. to Whiston 57 As we Christians have been taught to Theologize of Him. 1826 G. S. Faber Diffic. Romanism (1853) 158 Justin..theologises in manner following. 1875 E. White Life in Christ Pref. (1878) 4 When they do theologise..on the question whether the existing human race owes its being to law or to grace. |
2. trans. To render theological; to conform to theology; to treat theologically.
| 1649 V. Weigelius (title) Astrologie Theologized: wherein is set forth what Astrologie, and the light of Nature is. 1873 H. Rogers Orig. Bible vii. (1875) 295 Voltaire said that Pascal had illustrated..his genius..by theologising two things that seemed not made for theology—wit and pleasantry. |
† 3. To attribute divinity to; to treat as of divine or spiritual nature. Also
intr. or absol. Obs.| 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. i. §33. 40 The same persons did..both Atomize in their Physiology, taking away all Substantial Forms.., and also Theologize or Incorporealize, asserting Souls to be a Substance really distinct from Matter and Immortal. Ibid. iv. §17. 298 In which Orphick Fables, not only the Things of Nature, and Parts of the World were all Theologized, but also all manner of Humane Passions..attributed to the Gods. |
Hence
theˈologizing vbl. n. and ppl. a.; also
theˈologizer, one who theologizes, a theologer.
| 1685 Boyle Enq. Notion Nat. iv. (1686) 93 The ancient ægyptian *Theologizers..look'd upon the Sun and Moon..as the chief Gods. 1693 J. Edwards Author. O. & N. Test. 92 Epicharmus, Thales, Plato, and all the Greek theologizers. 1857–8 Sears Athan. 8 Theologizers of the school we describe. |
| 1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles II. iii. 136 Origen's allegoric mode of *Theologising. 1833 J. H. Newman Arians ii. iv. (1876) 190 The introduction of a subtle and irreverent question, whenever the theologizing Sophists should choose to raise it. 1881 G. A. Simcox in Academy 7 May 330 An instructive contrast to much fashionable theologising. |