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Doctor of Sacred Theology

Doctor of Sacred Theology

9.9
The highest university degree in theology given by the Catholic Church
  • noun
translation icon : Doctor en Teología Sagrada
  • The title Doctor of Sacred Theology signifies the highest level of theological scholarship in the Catholic Church.

Examples

  • He received his Doctor of Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

  • After years of study, she was finally awarded the Doctor of Sacred Theology degree.

  • She earned her Doctor of Sacred Theology from the Vatican.

  • Many priests aspire to become a Doctor of Sacred Theology.

  • After years of study, she was finally awarded the Doctor of Sacred Theology degree.

  • He received his Doctor of Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

  • The title Doctor of Sacred Theology signifies the highest level of theological scholarship in the Catholic Church.

Synonyms

STD
vsDoctor of Sacred Theology
  • Formal
1 9.9

A doctoral degree in Catholic theology from a church university

has identical meaning but is the full formal title rather than the abbreviation
Doctor of Divinity
vsDoctor of Sacred Theology
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A high university degree in religious study given to senior scholars

is the specific highest pontifical theology degree rather than a general higher degree
Doctor of Theology
vsDoctor of Sacred Theology
7.4

A university degree for advanced study and research about religion

is reserved as the highest pontifical theology degree within Catholic universities
ThD
vsDoctor of Sacred Theology
  • Specialized
8.1

An advanced university degree in the study of religion

is the more specific highest pontifical degree rather than a general doctorate

How Advanced

Doctor of Sacred Theology
9.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

Doctor + of + sacred + theology

The phrase is compositional: 'Doctor' (a title/degree) + 'of' + 'sacred theology' (religious/theological study), so a learner who knows the words can infer it denotes a doctoral degree in religious/theological studies. Specialized institutional details (e.g. that it is the highest pontifical degree) are extra-domain knowledge, but the core meaning is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Doctor of Sacred Theology comes from old university and church words: Doctor meant 'teacher', Sacred meant 'holy', and Theology meant the 'study of God'. So the name literally says 'teacher of the holy study of God', which is why the Church gives it as its 'highest degree' in theology.