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Theology: Reduction or Autonomy?
Author(s) -
Peterson Gregory R.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
zygon®
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1467-9744
pISSN - 0591-2385
DOI - 10.1111/0591-2385.00387
Subject(s) - autonomy , epistemology , meaning (existential) , relation (database) , philosophy , subject matter , theology , field (mathematics) , sociology , political science , pedagogy , computer science , law , mathematics , database , pure mathematics , curriculum
Issues of the nature and task of theology remain important to the science‐theology dialogue. This paper lays out a framework for understanding the nature of theology in relation to the other sciences. In particular, I argue that the primary question remains one of autonomy and reduction. If theology is a genuine academic discipline, then it should be an autonomous field with its own subject matter and norms. Wolfhart Pannenberg argues that theology is the science of God, but I suggest that theology be more broadly understood as the science of meaning. If we recognize this, the modes of interaction between theology and the other sciences becomes clearer.