Choosing a dissertation topic in religion and theology can feel like standing in a vast library without knowing which shelf to start from. The field is rich with history, culture, faith, and modern-day debates that connect with both academia and daily life. To help you find a starting point, here’s a wide collection of 60+ unique dissertation topics that cover different areas of religion and theology.

Biblical Studies

• The role of prophecy in the Old Testament and its relevance today.
• A comparative study of wisdom literature: Proverbs vs. Ecclesiastes.
• Women in the New Testament: their contributions and representation.
• Pauline theology: faith, works, and grace in the early church.
• The use of parables in the Gospels as teaching tools.
• Textual analysis of the Dead Sea Scrolls and their theological significance.
• The concept of covenant in the Hebrew Bible.

Historical Theology

• The impact of the Council of Nicaea on Christian doctrine.
• Augustine’s view of original sin and its influence on Western theology.
• Reformation debates on justification by faith.
• The role of monasticism in preserving Christian traditions.
• Theological disputes during the Byzantine Empire.
• The rise of liberation theology in the 20th century.
• The influence of Thomas Aquinas on Catholic doctrine.

World Religions

• A comparative study of karma in Hinduism and Buddhism.
• The role of ritual purity in Judaism and Islam.
• Pilgrimage practices: Hajj and Kumbh Mela compared.
• The concept of salvation across Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.
• Gender roles in Hindu sacred texts.
• Interfaith dialogue between Christianity and Sikhism.
• Modern challenges to Shinto practices in Japan.

Philosophy of Religion

• The problem of evil: classical and modern responses.
• The role of free will in Christian and Islamic thought.
• Philosophical arguments for God’s existence revisited.
• Religious pluralism and truth claims in theology.
• Faith versus reason: Enlightenment critiques of religion.
• The concept of the soul in Christian and Greek philosophy.
• The challenge of secularism to religious belief.

Religion and Society

• The role of religion in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
• Christianity and the abolition of slavery.
• The influence of Islam on legal systems in the Middle East.
• Religion and migration: how faith shapes identity.
• Media portrayal of religion in the 21st century.
• Secularisation in Europe: myth or reality?
• The impact of religious charities on poverty reduction.

Contemporary Theology

• Feminist theology and its reinterpretation of scripture.
• The role of queer theology in reshaping church debates.
• Ecotheology: religion’s response to climate change.
• The rise of prosperity gospel in global Christianity.
• Theology of suffering in modern contexts.
• The impact of digital worship on faith communities.
• Post-colonial theology: rethinking mission and evangelism.

Religion and Politics

• The relationship between church and state in modern democracies.
• Religious influence on U.S. foreign policy.
• The role of the Catholic Church in Latin American politics.
• Sharia law and human rights debates.
• Religion and nationalism in South Asia.
• Evangelical voting patterns in recent elections.
• The Vatican’s role in international diplomacy.

Ethics in Religion

• Christian ethics and bioethical debates.
• The Islamic perspective on artificial intelligence.
• War and peace in just war theory.
• Religious views on euthanasia and assisted dying.
• The role of conscience in moral decision-making.
• Business ethics and religious teachings.
• Environmental ethics in Hindu and Buddhist thought.

Interdisciplinary Approaches

• Psychology of religion: why people believe.
• Neuroscience and the experience of prayer.
• Anthropology of ritual practices.
• Religious symbolism in art and literature.
• Music as a form of worship across religions.
• Sociology of megachurches in the United States.
• Globalisation and the spread of Pentecostalism.

Modern Challenges

• Religion and human rights: conflict or cooperation?
• The role of religion in refugee integration.
• Secular critiques of organised religion.
• Artificial intelligence and the future of theology.
• Religious responses to pandemics.
• Freedom of speech vs. blasphemy laws.
• The decline of religious authority in digital culture.

Final Thoughts

Your dissertation is your chance to add something new to ongoing discussions in religion and theology. With these 60+ topics, you have a wide range of ideas to explore — from historical studies to modern debates, from ethics to interfaith dialogue. Pick one that excites you, and let it guide your research journey.