Is it possible to do theology without philosophical presuppositions?
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Date
2002
Authors
Strauss, D. F. M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State
Abstract
Particularly in connection with the doctrine of God the unavoidability of philosophical
presuppositions becomes apparent. The uncritical theological practice to
speak about a concept of God is in need of the epistemological distinction between
concept and idea, which is philosophical in nature. If this foundational distinction is
ignored one easily ends up with a theo-ontological duplication of the diversity within
creation. Terms which are actually employed within the context of an idea (in the
sense of exceeding the limits of concept formation) may then be misunderstood.
Such (creational) terms are then lifted from their given creational context and in an
“original” sense positioned with/in God (as “essential properties”). The (theo-ontological)
circle is completed when these “properties” (for example the infinity of God)
are then, in a derivative sense, brought back to the domain of creation from where it
was “kidnapped” in the first place. The fact that concept formation always proceeds
in terms of universalia, on the other hand implies that one can only talk about a concept
of God if God is no longer unique (in the biblical sense that there is but one
true God). Alongside many other “gods” God would then have to conform to a universal
law for “being God”. But since it is only characteristic of created entities that
they are subject to the order which God as Creator has set for them, this ultimately
entails that grasping God in a concept subjects God to a creational law. The distinction
between concept and idea is also elucidated with reference to conceptual
and idea-usages of the term constancy (inertia). All in all our argumentation fits
within the context of a new account to address in a meaningful way (also in scientific
theological parlance) the possibility to employ creational terms in talking
about God while at the same time honoring God’s transcendence.
Description
Keywords
God, Infinitely, Concept, Idea, Theo-ontology, Inertia, Negative theology
Citation
Strauss, D. F. M. (2002). Is it possible to do theology without philosophical presuppositions? Acta Theologica, 22(1), 146-164.