The Academic Character of Theological Discipline and Education

Some Methodological Proposals

Abstract

Conclusion: The academic and scientific character of theology – for that matter of any discipline - is not so much in its content (which is specific to each discipline) with its premises, but in the methodology. Those who reject theology as unscientific because of what it holds, do not understand the academic character of it is in the rigor of the methodology that is followed. And this is true of all sciences. In medieval times, the scientific nature of theology consisted in its argumentative methodology, like we have, for example in the Summa of St Thomas Aquinas. Something corresponding in the Indian tradition would be tharka.
The understanding of science, especially, of arts and humanities has changed so much that we need to think of the academic and scientific character of theology in different terms. The indications I have made are meant only to make ourselves aware of, in an analytical way, the various threads, and strands involved in the theological methodology. Besides, not all these procedures and stages may be applied equally to all themes and issues. Further, all the steps and procedures indicated (including the study of empirical data) are to be considered as part of the theological process. Theologizing happens all through the process; theology is not, so to say, the cream we churn out. Theology is deeply embedded in the warp and woof of the reality and experience we analyze, study, interpret and relate to praxis. This does not mean that we are imposing a theological format on reality. Rather we move from the discovery of an unthematized theological stage to ever more thematized theological articulation and application with the help of methodology, in the spirit of academic inquiry. In the light of what we said, the academic aspect of theological education would first and foremost in cultivating and seen from an academic perspective, is first and foremost cultivating and training in theological methodology.