Differences between Theology and Sociology of Religion are as follows:
Theology of religion; The term “theology” literally means the study of God, deriving from the Greek word those, meaning ‘God’, and the suffix – ology from the Greek word logos meaning “the character of one who speaks or treats of [a certain subject]”, or simply “the study of a certain subject”. Saint Augustine defined theology as “reasoning or discussion concerning the Deity.
Theologians are necessarily believers. They believe in the existence of god (in whatever form it may be) and try to understand the nature of divine beings by studying the faith of its believers. By analyzing the people’s experience of god, theologians try to understand god and god’s plans. Theologians are recognized religious leaders.
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For example, there are Hindu theologians. Muslim theologians Mulla theologian is interested in the comparative study of belief systems in two religions, but she or he is more close to her or his own religion than the other. Probing the soundness of beliefs of a particular religion also falls within the scope of theology.
As Scarf (1970: 12) whereas at theologian bases the analysis of religion on human experience in general, a sociologist pays attention to ‘particular experiences of particular societies. In a somewhat similar way, whereas theologians need not necessarily depend on ‘society’ for their explanations sociologists believe that religious beliefs and practices can be understood and explained only within their social context.
Sociology of religion:
The sociology of religion is primarily the study of the practices, social structures, historical backgrounds, development, universal themes, and roles of religion in society. There is particular emphasis on the recurring role of religion in nearly all societies on Earth today and throughout recorded history. Sociologists of religion attempt to explain the effects of society on religion and the effects of religion on society; in other words, their dialectical relationship.