theology Theology is the study of religious belief from a Religion, religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an Discipline (academia), academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itse ...

, ponerology (from Greek πονηρός ''ponērós'', "evil") is the study of

evil Evil, as a concept, is usually defined as profoundly immoral behavior, and it is related to acts that cause unnecessary pain and suffering to others. Evil is commonly seen as the opposite, or sometimes absence, of good. It can be an extreme ...

. Major subdivisions of the study are the nature of evil, the origin of evil, and evil in relation to the Divine Government. Karl Immanuel Nitzsch outlined his ''System der christlichen Lehre'' (''System of Christian Doctrine'') into three major rubrics: Agathology, or the Doctrine of the Good; Ponerology, or the Doctrine of the Bad; and

Soteriology Soteriology (; ' "salvation" from wikt:σωτήρ, σωτήρ ' "savior, preserver" and wikt:λόγος, λόγος ' "study" or "word") is the study of Doctrine, religious doctrines of salvation. Salvation theory occupies a place of special sign ...

, or the Doctrine of Salvation. He further subdivided ponerology into the topics of

Sin In religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law or a law of the deities. Each culture has its own interpretation of what it means to commit a sin. While sins are generally considered actions, any thought, word, or act considered ...

and of

Death Death is the end of life; the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism. Death eventually and inevitably occurs in all organisms. The remains of a former organism normally begin to decompose sh ...

Famous Ponerologists

* Karl Immanuel Nitzsch * Andrej Lobaczewski

References

Ethical issues in religion Good and evil Theology {{reli-ethics-stub

Famous Ponerologists

See Also

References