'anti-theological' originates from Modern English, specifically the compound of the prefix 'anti-' (meaning 'against') and the adjective 'theological'.

'theological' comes from Latin 'theologia' which in turn comes from Greek 'theologia' (from 'theos' meaning 'god' + 'logia' meaning 'speech, study'); the prefix 'anti-' comes from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against' and entered English via Latin/Old French formations, later combining in Modern English to form compounds such as 'anti-theological'.

Initially the components meant 'against' (for 'anti-') and 'discourse about god' (for 'theological'); combined, the compound has come to mean 'opposed to theology' in contemporary usage, a straightforward extension of the constituent meanings.