Theology

Theology ( Greek θεολογία Teología, θεός of theos 'God' and -logy ) is transferred " the doctrine of God " or gods in general, and the teachings of the contents of a specific religious faith and his belief documents in particular.

• 2.1 theology as a science
• 2.2 Criticism of Theology

• 3.1 Judaism
• 3.2 Islam
• 3.3 Hinduism

Historical development of the concept

Ancient Greece

The term theologia already occurs in Greek antiquity. There called theology the " speech of God ", singing and telling stories (gr. " mythein " ) of gods stories. The oldest evidence for this mythical understanding of theology is to be found in Plato's Republic ( 379a ). Plato defines the critical scale of the question of as the One, the good and the immutable truth to the myths of the gods criticized theology. In Aristotle then shows a reshaping of the concept of theology: theology as the top of the theoretical sciences directed here now on the divine as the first and actual principle ( Metaphysics ( Aristotle ) 1064a / b ). The theology has thus changed from mythology towards metaphysics.

Christianity

Already in the second century, the concept of Christian authors, the so-called apologists, taken up, which is now used it in contrast to mythologia ( telling stories of the gods ) of the polytheistic pagan authors. In Eusebius, the term then something like " the Christian understanding of God " means. For all patristic authors, the term did not relate to the Christian doctrine in general, but only those aspects of it, which is directly related to God. So the author of the Gospel of John, and Gregory of Nazianzus were specifically referred to as " theologians " as the only early Christian writers, because God was with her ​​teaching at the center. The questions about the saving action of God and the salvation of the people were treated under the concept of economics (Greek " oikonomia ").

Christian theologians in the early church were often bishops in the Middle Ages usually monks. With the emergence of universities as religious colleges in the Middle Ages theology generally resolved the first faculty. In the High Middle Ages, the term then for the first time got the general meaning "the territory of the sacred knowledge ", which included the whole of Christian doctrine in Peter Abelard ( early scholasticism ) and St. Bonaventure ( scholasticism ). For fixed term in this sense theology then was in particular due to the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas, theology regarded as speculative, theoretical science in the first place.

The reformers then stressed the practical aspect of theology back stronger. So Martin Luther stands in the tradition of monastic anchoring of theology as eg was effective in Anselm of Canterbury, Bernard of Clairvaux in the Middle Ages. Practical Science was the theology in the sense that it was all so related to the practical implementation of the life of faith on the appropriation of salvation through God. In this sense, numerous representatives of Lutheran orthodoxy particular theology as a scientia practica, which must, however, make its implementation also borrows from the theoretical science. Therefore, the theological systems of Lutheran orthodoxy won many externally a similar character as the old scholastic sums were content but different in nature and also in their systematic structure ( which is located at the analytical ordo of Aristotle leaning ) aligned more to the practice of faith out. Partial established also return a stronger or even purely theoretical understanding of theology.

The distinction of theology as a science of the practice of faith and the immediate knowledge of faith was already prepared at the time of Lutheran orthodoxy by the theologian Georg Calixtus. In approaches it is also available with Abraham Calov and Johann Andreas Quenstedt. During this, however, the theology vorordnen the belief that the relationship in the Enlightenment is reversed: The theology is secondary as a form of reflection opposed to faith or religion. This ratio determination occurs first appearance at Johann Salomo Semler. Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher understood the theology then as a positive science, which is based on the church leadership. While the distinction between theology and faith today is crucial to the theological discourse, the orientation of the theology of the church leadership remains controversial.

Christian theology

The theologies of Christianity understood as scientific disputes with the sources of faith ( biblical theology and historical theology ) and religious practice ( Practical Theology ) and as systematic analysis and display of faith ( Systematic Theology, among other things, fundamental theology, dogmatics and ethics).

Theology as a science

Christian theology refers generally to a particular denomination. Here not only the content shown, but often the ways of thinking and the methods employed by the respective faiths are determined. In the scientifically -driven theology that fact is exactly self again problematized or reflected in the rule.

Some philosophers of science speak any (Christian) theology because of their commitment bondage from the scientific and criticize their presence and funding of public universities in the form of theological faculties.

Criticism of Theology

The science of theology claim is disputed.

Critique of theology is directed against, for example,

• The lack of open-endedness, "God ," "faith ," " Revelation " and the like are provided and are not falsifiable. Such a claim to absolute truth is in science, worthy of the name, are excluded. Although this constituted differently for sub-disciplines, would theology in its entirety without the active affirmation of the truths of faith in philology, Hebrew language, history and religious studies at.
• The lack of freedom of teaching: Theological Chairs will be hired in consultation with the church and, at least in Catholic schools a teaching license is required. (What the critics alleging that authorization of the aforementioned criticism occupied. )
• The practical consequences especially of sub- disciplines such as science mission: they are ethically unacceptable. This charge is also levied against theology as a whole, often linked to the reviews mentioned in the first point. The allegations of lack of truthfulness and intellectual dishonesty are old; Not everyone, however, she expressed so blatantly like Friedrich Nietzsche: " What a theologian feels as true, that must be wrong. because you have almost a criterion of truth " ( The Antichrist, Chapter 9)
• The abstraction of dogmatic theology from the experiences of the people, especially their desires, fears and needs. You can then descend to the " concept of fetishism ," as most of the trained himself as a Catholic systematic theologian Eugen Drewermann classically described it in his book Faith in Freedom (1993). For Drewermann the basis of all theology is the experience of love and is therefore, like Martin Buber, dialogue to understand.

The first point outlined in the epistemological questions are partly formulated theology treats their requirements at the same time as their subject matter. This accusation could then theological positions dodge distinguish what conditions and subject matter. Many would argue that with this formulation at all theology is characterized applicable. Many theologians see God not as an immediate object of theology (eg Wolfhart Pannenberg ). God is on the contrary usually understood as the object of faith. But faith is a (self scientifically accessible ) expression of life, not a science.

Often, the discussion will decide on each underlying concept of science. Much of the criticism is based on an (originally scientifically oriented ) notion of science, which demands absolute objectivity and does not consider the scientific subject. Almost for all the sciences, it is now a commonplace that the respective perspective and question the direction of the scientist with affected the outcome of his scientific research. This truism can clarify theoretically. Have self for the natural sciences for decades, many philosophers of science, the strictures of the concept of science tried to show earlier representatives of their discipline and proposed alternatives. For example, very early understands many critics a distinct separation of theory and observation, later Kuhn overlooking the dynamics of scientific theories, Sneed with a concept of theory, the theories instead structured as sets of propositions or Stegmüller, results and problems of analytical debates in the German speaking world has made known and, inter alia, the sometimes vague and controversial theses Kuhn remained a clear specification in the context of the conception Sneed. - On the part of analytic philosophy major contributions of John Leslie Mackie have been made; and from the perspective of critical rationalism of Hans Albert.

Theology in other religions

The concept of theology natural home is in Christianity. If it is now applied to other religions ( esp. Judaism and Islam), this is not always straightforward, as the term is considered most critical within these religions. To speak many Jewish scholars ( which just do not call theologians ) rather of Jewish interpretation of the law, casuistry or just teaching ( Torah ). Denominational schools and seminars are only for Christianity, Judaism and Islam. While it is part of the Comparative Religion will be a scientific study of many religions and their content, but the perspective and methodology here is quite distinct from a theological approach to fashion. Courses such as Judaism and Islam science are not to be confused with religious programs, but belong to the realm of religious studies.

Judaism

In Judaism there is no theology in the strict sense ( " doctrine of God "). The College of Jewish Studies in Heidelberg is funded by the Central Council of Jews in Germany. It is dedicated to the science of Judaism. Also, there are a number of universities of Jewish Studies courses that can be attended independently of the religion.

Islam

The Islamic studies institutes and departments of the universities concerned with the history and practice of Islam.

In Islam itself there is a traditional theology, Ilm al - Kalam is called. However, importance, are also Islamic Law Fiqh and Shari'ah.

Hinduism

Used in all Hindu religious forms, reports and teachings of the highest cosmic spirit Brahman, in an abundance of written records.

The current significance and the intuitive understanding of the German term "God" to be used in reference to Hinduism can be confusing, even the terminology "God" concerning. Some currents of Hinduism believe in a supreme avatar, named as Ishvara (literally: the " Supreme Lord "). There are also acting under the beings who are called devas. One of the most important concepts, however, is Brahman - the supreme cosmic principle.

Brahman is the indescribable, inexhaustible, omniscient, omnipotent, incorporeal, omnipresent, original, first, eternal and absolute principle. It is without a beginning, without an end, hidden in all things and the cause, the source and the material of all known creation, itself, however, unknown and yet the entire universe immanent and transcendent. The Upanishads describe it as the one and indivisible, eternal universal self, which is present in all things and in whom are all present.

From some directions of Ishvara ( Supreme Lord ) is seen as the manifest form (see Avatar) of Brahman. The illusion of power which causes the Brahman as the material world to be seen, the individual souls and the Ishvara is called Maya. All Devas of Hinduism are, according to this view as the secular expressions of the one Ishvara.

In the view of Advaita Vedanta, man is equal in its very essence with Brahman and this unit must be recognized. Advaita Vedanta ( non-duality ) is the doctrine of Shankara ( 788-820 AD ), which is aimed at this realization of the unit. After teaching the Vishishtadvaita of Ramanuja, however, the highest principle is all that exists, there is a qualitative difference between the individual soul and the highest principle, however. At the other end of the spectrum is the purely dualistic philosophy of Dvaita Vedanta of Madhva, the strict distinction between the soul and the highest principle. (see: Indian philosophy)