University of Helsinki

Focus on religion, individual and society

Theological research focuses on religion and its various manifestations through history up until today.
Research topics include Christian churches and religious movements, society’s and individuals’ religious attitudes and activities, and the formation and content of Christian and other doctrines.

The Faculty studies not only the Christian tradition, but also other religions and ideologies. The Faculty also investigates the social and ethical impact of religions and the interaction between religion and politics and between religion and culture in various eras. 

All theological disciplines are represented in the Faculty, including church history, biblical studies, systematic theology, practical theology and comparative religion.

The most important research methods in theology are historical, systematic and empirical. Because the methodology is the same as in such related sciences as comparative literature, philosophy, history, education, psychology and sociology, theological research is often conducted in multidisciplinary networks and projects.