How is theology “the queen of the sciences”?

Answer

In Europe during the High Middle Ages, higher learning institutions utilized the trivium (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) and quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy) of classical liberal arts. It was within this academic setting that theology was referred to as the “queen of the sciences.”

Theology as a Science

When we think of “science,” we typically consider the study of the natural world and phenomena that can be quantitatively measured—subjects like biology and physics. However, historically, only geometry and astronomy were included in the standard university curriculum as part of the “natural” sciences. So, what constituted a science? Augustine defined it as anything related to knowledge of the temporal world. Thomas Aquinas regarded theology as a science because it engages with special and general revelation.

The concept of Wissenschaft serves as a link to our contemporary understanding of science. Wissenschaft was the educational philosophy in German universities during the 1800s. Within this framework, a science is defined as “a legitimate area of study focused on a specific subject, with appropriate investigative methods.” This definition resembles the notion of “science” in the Medieval period but has persisted into the 21st century. According to this definition, theology qualifies as a science with a study subject (God and His actions on earth) and study tools (the Bible and general revelation).

Theology as Supreme

Therefore, theology was acknowledged as a science in the Middle Ages. How, then, did it hold supremacy over, and hence be deemed “queen of,” the other sciences? In Medieval universities, it was recognized that the different fields of study needed a unifying standard. This standard was the Bible. Since the Bible was considered the ultimate source of truth, theology naturally became the standard against which other academic disciplines were measured. Scholars of that era rightly understood that one’s perspective on God and the Bible influences every other aspect of scholarship.In every area of life, a scholar’s theology serves as the foundation of their worldview and influences their study of philosophy and other disciplines. Theology was historically referred to as the “queen of the sciences,” signifying that God’s Word is the majestic source of knowledge that underpins all other forms of knowledge.

The Bible and Its Role as a Theological Standard

While the scholarly standards have evolved in our modern world, a Christian’s belief in the infallibility of the Bible upholds theology as the preeminent discipline. The Bible cautions against embracing “the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge” (1 Timothy 6:20). Instead, we are encouraged to “correctly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Theology indeed stands as the foundational point for acquiring knowledge. As stated in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”