Final answer:
Natural theology is the philosophical approach where knowledge of God is derived from the use of reason and observation of the natural world, without relying on special revelation. Philosopher Thomas Aquinas is known for his contributions to natural theology, Differentiating it from revealed theology, which is based on divine revelation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of theology that claims that knowledge of God is possible based on the use of natural reason or intellect unaided by special revelations is called natural theology. This approach to understanding God does not depend on Scriptures or divine revelations but uses human intellect and observations of the world to infer the existence of a divine being. The medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas is a proponent of natural theology, arguing that God's existence can be concluded from various aspects of the natural world, such as the unmoved mover, the first cause, and the grand designer. According to Aquinas's theory of natural law, humans are capable of using reason to discover the laws governing the natural world, which includes the ethical idea that human laws must be in harmony with natural laws. Aquinas contrasted natural theology with revealed theology, which pertains to truths that can only be known through divine revelation. His work represents a critical development in natural theology and the broader discourse on the relationship between faith and reason.