Theological studies topical in periodical (9)
I believe the answer is:
recurrent
'periodical' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'theological studies topical' is the wordplay.
'theological studies' becomes 're' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'topical' becomes 'current' (similar in meaning).
're'+'current'='RECURRENT'
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for recurrent that I've seen before include "Repeated again and again" , "always coming back" , "seen frequently" , "taking place periodically" , "Happening repeatedly" .)