Philosophical theology is a branch of theology where philosophical methods are used to reach a clearer understanding of the divine realities. There is a debate about the need for both theology and philosophy to be used in the pursuit of truth, or that the divine declaration can or must be proved alone. Various theories have been found over the centuries about the application of philosophical systems to theological principles. Some say that they must be completely separated, and that there is no connection of any kind between them. Others say that philosophy and logic are necessary to reach the correct understanding of the divine revelation. While others adopt a moderate stance by saying that philosophy is a useful tool but should not be entirely relied upon.
Philosophical theology emerged in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when the thinkers of the Enlightenment, Modernization and Status movements attacked Christianity. Theologians wanted to find a way to explain and defend their beliefs and found that philosophical approaches could be used to defend divine declarations. The use of philosophy in analyzing and explaining theology was not innovative. Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, and the early theologians used the ideas of Aristotle and Socrates in their writings in an attempt to analyze and understand biblical principles and concepts. Many defenders of religion today use philosophical arguments; metaphysical and existential proofs of the existence of God, for example, are rooted in philosophical theology.
Philosophical theology is a branch of theology where philosophical methods are used to reach a clearer understanding of the divine realities. There is a debate about the need for both theology and philosophy to be used in the pursuit of truth, or that the divine declaration can or must be proved alone. Various theories have been found over the centuries about the application of philosophical systems to theological principles. Some say that they must be completely separated, and that there is no connection of any kind between them. Others say that philosophy and logic are necessary to reach the correct understanding of the divine revelation. While others adopt a moderate stance by saying that philosophy is a useful tool but should not be entirely relied upon.
Philosophical theology emerged in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when the thinkers of the Enlightenment, Modernization and Status movements attacked Christianity. Theologians wanted to find a way to explain and defend their beliefs and found that philosophical approaches could be used to defend divine declarations. The use of philosophy in analyzing and explaining theology was not innovative. Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, and the early theologians used the ideas of Aristotle and Socrates in their writings in an attempt to analyze and understand biblical principles and concepts. Many defenders of religion today use philosophical arguments; metaphysical and existential proofs of the existence of God, for example, are rooted in philosophical theology.
Philadelphia, PA
Dear MacGregor,
Thanks for the invitation. But I make it a general rule that I don't do theology. Sometimes I break my rule, but only for the sake of the philosophical interpretation of figures who interest me more generally.
H.G. Callaway
Growing up I thought theology is philosophy !!!!!!
Not that I know it now ...
Theology is religion , faith that does not ask for too much of reasoning !!!
Philosophy is seemingly universal what all of us experience and formulate to uphold our ideas .
I think the relationship is that human beings seem unable to live comfortably with unanswered questions. There's something in our psyche that can't leave such things alone. So the link is, we build religions. Different cultures built different religions, and then for the most part, the faithful adhere to the theology they were brought up with. This brings a level of comfort that many people cherish.
Strange things happen between philosophy and theology. Cultures established their moral code, at least initially, based on their religion. That's the whole point of religion. But, unless you're very, very devout, many must acknowledge that moral codes have to evolve with the present circumstances of our society. Now we have this struggle, to update theology that is defined by static, ancient texts.
Take a banal example from the Old Testament. It was written at a time when the human race was still struggling to keep itself above some critical mass. "Be fruitful and multiply," and "have dominion over nature," or over animals, or basically everything, was an important teaching of that time. People who complied were seen as holy and obedient. Today? No, not anymore. What may have been holy then is sometimes reckless now.
Philosophy doesn't feel a compulsion to anchor its arguments on ancient text only, so I think it should study how theology developed, what roles it continues to play, what role religion plays in different types of people, and so on. And just like Jesuit priests, many will see philosophers as troublemakers, in their endeavors. That's the way it needs to be.
For me, as a philosopher, my interest in theology is twofold, (1) I am interested in the mind/body problem and in moral theory, and some interesting historical positions in these areas can be found in theological writings; (2) theology, much like science fiction, contains some interesting conceptual puzzles. Philosophers don't necessarily have to engage with theology; however, some believers might regard it as a religious duty to critically examine their faith and that might involve engaging with both theology and philosophy.
Learn to be and know the world and others; through the philosophy of science in the secular world and philosophy of convictions and beliefs in the world of theology and religion
Hello,
Although theology is a legitimate branch of philosophy, It is best to keep the two separate from one another. The main reason is that certain schools of philosophy such as nihilism and agnostic existentialism defy all aspects of morality stating that religious and moral values are man's inventions for creating meaning into an otherwise meaningless world. They further add that these values are constructs of domination in a world which is absolutely meaningless because as Nietzsche maintains, the value categories concocted by man represent false realities and the only reality is the reality of becoming. On this basis, I personally believe that theology and philosophy , at least in certain domains, are relatives of a wrong blood (wrong bedfellows). That is why one of the very verses of the holy book of quran stipulates that this is a book of guidance for those who have no doubts about the reality of God. Therefore, how can we reconcile a discipline in which many philosophers believe that existence precedes essence?
Best regards,
R. Biria
I agree with ابتسام صاحب الزويني .
Theology starts from a position of absolute certainty. A certain number of facts about God (the 'theos' in theology) and revelation are taken for granted, and the theologians task is then to analyze and elaborate the consequences of those facts. A theologist might use philosophical arguments and methods, but he/she is applying them to a set of presuppositions about God and the world. In this sense the relationship between theology and philosophy is similar to the relationship between physics and math or economics and math. A perfect example of this are the various approaches (for example by theologians such as Augustine or Aquinas) to solving the problem of evil: It is a fact that a) God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent and b) that there is evil in the world. A theologian then tries to reconcile the two facts, and might (or might not) use tools from Philosophy in doing so. A "true" philosopher on the other hand, would, given the problem of evil, simply dismiss (one or all of) the initial premises about God, instead of trying to reconcile them with the existence of evil in the world.
Philosophy has to start from a position of radical skepticism, even if it eventually arrives at a position of knowledge or certainty. Consider how Socrates (or Plato) in the Meno discusses virtue, but starting from a position that he doesn't know what virtue is. This is probably why "true" philosophy is considered to have started with the Greeks. The classical Greeks were the first to start from positions of questioning all existing assumptions, especially religious ones. Another good example is Descartes: Although he ultimately arrives at positions that are in perfect accord with religious doctrine (i.e. that souls and God exist), he only does so after starting from a position of total doubt. Compared to solutions to the problem of evil, arguments for God's existence are "inherently" philosophical, since they have to start from questioning basic assumptions.
Read more: https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/30541/what-is-the-difference-between-philosophy-and-theology
The reasoning of facts surrounding the beliefs in religion gives birth to theological philosophy. It shares partly, the axiologically philosophy that delves into finding out the underlying value systems behind religious beliefs and structure. The attached resources are helpful. Best regards
Theology starts from a position of absolute certainty. A certain number of facts about God (the 'theos' in theology) and revelation are taken for granted, and the theologians task is then to analyze and elaborate the consequences of those facts. A theologist might use philosophical arguments and methods, but he/she is applying them to a set of presuppositions about God and the world. In this sense the relationship between theology and philosophy is similar to the relationship between physics and math or economics and math. A perfect example of this are the various approaches (for example by theologians such as Augustine or Aquinas) to solving the problem of evil: It is a fact that a) God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent and b) that there is evil in the world. A theologian then tries to reconcile the two facts, and might (or might not) use tools from Philosophy in doing so. A "true" philosopher on the other hand, would, given the problem of evil, simply dismiss (one or all of) the initial premises about God, instead of trying to reconcile them with the existence of evil in the world.
Philosophy has to start from a position of radical skepticism, even if it eventually arrives at a position of knowledge or certainty. Consider how Socrates (or Plato) in the Meno discusses virtue, but starting from a position that he doesn't know what virtue is. This is probably why "true" philosophy is considered to have started with the Greeks. The classical Greeks were the first to start from positions of questioning all existing assumptions, especially religious ones. Another good example is Descartes: Although he ultimately arrives at positions that are in perfect accord with religious doctrine (i.e. that souls and God exist), he only does so after starting from a position of total doubt. Compared to solutions to the problem of evil, arguments for God's existence are "inherently" philosophical, since they have to start from questioning basic assumptions.
Read more: https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/30541/what-is-the-difference-between-philosophy-and-theology
From my Sytematic Theology course this question was discussed. It can be associated with Integrative Theology according to B. A. Demarest. Elwell wrote that Philosophy and Theology are overlapping disciplines. The reasons for their integration is because of the following reasons: 1. Both engage in critical analysis of the meanings of terms. 2. Both follow a strict process of observation and reasoning to reach a conclusion. 3. Both traditionally sought to formulate a consistent world view. In Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, philosophical theology is believed to be a minor contribution that does help to illuminate the revelations in the Bible, (Erickson, 14). My Philosophy about theology is of a somewhat optimistic nature. I believe that one should always hope for the best outcome even in the midst of very damning words. I pray and say "Oh my God I hope this does not happens." Like John I hope for a better world, a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1). I prayed that there will not be a destruction by fervent heat and all the elements in the world is destroyed (Ezekiel 32:6; Isaiah 28:18). I hope that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord and nations will not lift up armament against each other. I hope and pray that by faith there will be forgiveness, a crossroad, like Jesus said that the King said to the servant, I forgave you the 1 billions dollars (example) you owed me, why could you not forgive the man who owed you only 1 thousands dollars? God Bless you!!!!
Church and state should be separated. Philosophy and theology should be separated as well.
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