Catholic theology

For broader coverage of this topic, see Christian theology.

Catholic theology is the understanding of Catholic doctrine or teachings, and results from the studies of theologians. It is based on canonical scripture, and sacred tradition, as interpreted authoritatively by the magisterium of the Catholic Church. This article serves as an introduction to various topics in Catholic theology, with links to where fuller coverage is found.

Major teachings of the Catholic Church discussed in the early councils of the church are summarized in various creeds, especially the Nicene (Nicene-Constantinopolitan) Creed and the Apostles' Creed. Since the 16th century the church has produced catechisms which summarize its teachings; in 1992, the Catholic Church published the official Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church understands the living tradition of the church to contain its doctrine on faith and morals and to be protected from error, at times through infallibly defined teaching. The church believes in revelation guided by the Holy Spirit through sacred scripture, developed in sacred tradition and entirely rooted in the original deposit of faith. This developed deposit of faith is protected by the "magisterium" or College of Bishops at ecumenical councils overseen by the pope, beginning with the Council of Jerusalem (c. AD 50).

Catholic theology contains a highly developed set of doctrines that have matured over two millennia, from the foundational contributions of the Apostles to the Church Fathers to the Medieval Scholastics to the Modern era. Fundamental areas of Catholic theology include the nature of God, Jesus Christ, humanity, the saints, and the Virgin Mary; divine grace and its role in justification and salvation; and other topics such as Biblical theology, moral theology, spiritual theology, sacramental theology, ecclesiology, and eschatology. These topics have often been developed in contrast to various Christian heresies or other traditions of Christianity.