What distinguishes scientific knowledge from theological knowledge?

The choice that highlights the distinction between scientific knowledge and theological knowledge effectively points to the role of personal experiences in religion. In theological contexts, beliefs often stem from individual experiences, traditions, and spiritual reflections that contribute to a person's understanding of faith. This subjective perspective allows for a diversity of beliefs and practices that can differ significantly from one person to another, with personal revelations and communal traditions playing a significant role in shaping theological knowledge.

Scientific knowledge, on the other hand, is based on empirical evidence and objective observations. It relies on the scientific method, which emphasizes testing, experimentation, and reproducibility to understand the natural world. Scientific knowledge seeks to provide explanations that are based on observable phenomena and can be verified or refuted through experimentation, rather than relying on personal or subjective experiences.

By emphasizing personal experience as a key feature of theology, rather than a foundation of scientific knowledge, this choice underscores the different epistemological approaches that science and religion employ in their respective inquiries into existence and understanding.