THEOLOGY AND THE ARCHITECTURE OF CIVILIZATIONS: A SPIRITUAL EXAMINATION

Abstract

This article explores the intrinsic relationship between theology and the architectural development of civilizations. From ancient temples to grand cathedrals and mosques, spiritual belief systems have long informed architectural form, function, and symbolism. The study examines how religious thought not only influenced construction techniques and urban planning but also dictated the philosophical and metaphysical underpinnings of space, orientation, and community engagement. Drawing from comparative theological perspectives, the article delves into case studies across Islamic, Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions to demonstrate how sacred architecture embodies spiritual values and cosmological visions. This theological lens offers a deeper understanding of how civilizations encoded divine narratives into built environments, thus making architecture a physical extension of the sacred.