The term theologal (from the Greek Theós, “God,” and lógos, “discourse,” “knowledge”) designates that which has God as its origin, immediate object, and end. It applies primarily to the theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity—which orient the human person directly toward God and make participation in the divine life possible. More broadly, theologal describes whatever pertains to the immediate relationship between God and the creature.

More specifically

The notion of the theologal occupies an essential place in Christian theology. It makes it possible to distinguish what belongs directly to the supernatural order from what pertains to the natural or merely moral order. A theologal reality does not concern God merely as an object of reflection or belief; it proceeds from God Himself and tends toward union with Him.

This notion finds its principal expression in the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. Faith enables the intellect to adhere to the truth revealed by God; hope directs the will toward the eternal beatitude promised by God; charity unites the soul to God through love. These virtues are called theologal because God is simultaneously their source, motive, and end.

Christian theology thus distinguishes the theological virtues from the moral or cardinal virtues. Prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance perfect the human faculties according to their natural order. The theological virtues, by contrast, elevate the human person beyond his natural capacities and introduce him into a participation in the divine life.

In the teaching of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the theological virtues are infused by God into the soul. They are not acquired through practice or education, although these may favor their development. Their origin is supernatural, since they render the human person capable of an end that surpasses every natural proportion: the beatific vision and union with God.

The theologal character, however, is not limited to the virtues alone. One may also speak of a theologal dimension of Christian existence. Prayer, grace, the sacraments, and contemplation all possess a theologal dimension insofar as they establish or deepen the soul’s immediate relationship with God.

From a metaphysical perspective, the theologal expresses the creature’s openness to a reality that infinitely surpasses the created order. It manifests the possibility of participation in the divine life without confusion between Creator and creature. Such participation always remains a received gift rather than an achievement attained by human effort alone.

The notion of the theologal thus avoids two opposite reductions: reducing religion to morality or psychology on the one hand, and confusing man with God on the other. The theologal designates precisely the point at which divine grace encounters human freedom and transforms it from within.

It therefore appears as the highest expression of the human vocation according to Christianity. Man is called not merely to know God externally or conceptually, but to live from God and in God. The theologal designates this ultimate orientation of existence toward participation in the divine life.

Further reading

  • Saint Paul, First Epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 13;
  • Saint Paul, First Epistle to the Thessalonians, 1:3;
  • Saint Augustine, Enchiridion;
  • Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, IIa-IIae, qq. 1–46;
  • Saint John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mount Carmel;
  • Saint Teresa of Ávila, The Interior Castle;
  • Hans Urs von Balthasar, Love Alone Is Credible;
  • Jean Borella, Love and Truth (Amour et vérité);
  • Jean Borella, The Sense of the Supernatural (Le sens du surnaturel);
  • Bruno Bérard, Theology for Everyone;
  • Bruno Bérard, The Spiritual Life;

Note: In ordinary usage, “theological” and “theologal” are often treated as synonyms. Christian tradition, however, makes an important distinction. Theological refers to discourse, reflection, or knowledge concerning God; theologal refers to what proceeds directly from God and immediately orders the human person toward Him. Thus theology is a theological science, whereas faith, hope, and charity are theologal virtues.