This study deals with the notions of theory and practice as found in Aristotle, Plotinus, and Marx - whose philosophies also informed and underpinned the discourse of various theologians. Their perspectival notions are presented and explained through contextual or geographical rootedness. Tensions identified in the variations of meaning and prioritization of either theory or practice in these authors are highlighted and traced from contextuality which is itself generative of specific characteristics of philosophies - also important for the orientations and directions (...) of Christian theologies. (shrink)