Paterology, or Patriology, in Christian theology, refers to the study of God the Father. Both terms are derived from two Greek words: πατήρ (patḗr, father) and λογος (logos, teaching). As a distinctive theological discipline, within Theology proper, Paterology is closely related to Christology (study of Christ as God the Son) and Pneumatology (study of the Holy Spirit as God the Spirit).