...Is Religion and Theology Scientific? Religion and Theology are two terms that are often confused when it comes to their study. Religion is based on faiths and beliefs when it comes to the acceptance of superhuman powers in the form of God or gods. On the other hand theology is the study of God thought. This is especially true of Christianity. In short it can be said that theology works on religion. Theology is in fact based on religion. It is a system of studying about God especially Christian religion. Religion does not deal with any sort of rational analysis. On the other hand theology deals with the rational analysis of a religious faith. However there is no way we can separate the two. Theology is not science. Science is not theology. They are simply two different things. They are not even two similar kinds of things. Science is the pursuit of what you can know. Theology is the pursuit of what you, by definition, cannot know. Science can tell you how things in the world work and that can lead to technology: how to manipulate things to achieve a desired result. Theology cannot tell you how God works, nor can you ever manipulate God to achieve a desired result. Science deals with the study of nature, its forces, processes and development. It is based on the analysis of evidence. It assumes, as a working hypothesis, that processes and events happen due to natural causes, not through divine intervention. It rarely intrudes in matters of morality, the existence and nature...
Words: 991 - Pages: 4
...The Entwistle 4mat Review Theology Religion Essay Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity allowed me to understand the past occurrences of psychology and theology. The book displayed the religion and confidence that psychology and Christianity should combine for it to possess a higher understanding and permitting the client a higher probability of healing. So as to do this there should be an entire understanding of every element in and of itself. Entwistle’s (2010) book presented all the facts from history as it has formed society these days. As he mentioned these historic events, it shows simply how the knowledge today may be a reflection or reaction of what happened then. Christianity has invariably had an enormous impact on world history and the way the planet is viewed. The author makes it clear that God offers humans reality and honesty in His Word. When consideration of his works is given his Word has begun to demonstrate an impact on the planet. The Word of God is the Bible that God created as a guide to living life in the way that God designed to be the best for humankind. Theology and Psychology do not appear to be to be compatible however they are similar when it involves the appreciation and comprehension that enables a person's life to be meaningful. The planet is filled with individuals that have many abilities to share. God created us in his image therefore that makes each of us distinctive in our own sense. We all have things of our own to share...
Words: 1259 - Pages: 6
...faith and religion. These theological studies have been made possible with the increase social science methods, which are being applied by the researchers to indicate the theological knowledge that can be used in social dynamics, contexts and conditions related to the religious life. Pastoral works have these studies to thank as they help them in conducting their works effectively. Heimbrock also instigates that the there has been a growing interest for theological studies ever since the introduction of the scientific methodology in theological work. The methodologies have increased the criteria and the standards of theological studies that can be used in the empirical research. The aspect of religion can be understood through the implication of religious research that is being increased through the means of social scientific instruments. Different aspects on religious studies and scientific methods can be applied in these studies. However, this paper will scrutinize some of the methodologies that can be applied in understanding the empirical side of religion through the stimulation of the correct standards of discussions and researches. This is due to the dire need for the reflection of the consequences and theological impacts that are associated with research models and concepts that are connected to the humanities and those related to religious research. These research methodologies can be evaluated using numerous developments found in the empirical theology that are clearly...
Words: 1423 - Pages: 6
...methods. The resolution of this part of the book is to protect the Bible from the harm done by comparative studies which warped evidence to work against the historicity, canonicity, and divine revelation of the Bible. Chapter 1- History and Methods This chapter opens up with the rediscovery of Egypt and Mesopotamia, dating back to the 1800s and the mid 1900s. The author states that archeologists were very quickly discovering that the Bible in its entirety was completely and wholly accurate and true. It was during this time that evolution and the scientific movement was at its prime. Science was progressing. IT was during this time that science and theology began to clash. The truth of the Bible was being fought against on all sides and was quickly being twisted. New data that confirmed the themes of parallel theologies to the Old Testament were being uncovered by archeologists. For people who have an interest in understanding the Bible, it...
Words: 3469 - Pages: 14
...Africa cursed?: A vision for the radical transformation of an ailing continent. Place of publication: Nairobi, Kenya: Publisher: WordAlive Publishers. Year of publication: 2009 2.) Manasseh Kwame Dakwa Bediako – Ghanaian theologian Manasseh Kwame Dakwa Bediako was born on 7 July 1945 in Ghana. He was the son of a police inspector and the grandson of a Presbyterian catechist and evangelist. Kwame Bediako was an outstanding African theologian of his generation. He was an ardent promoter of Bible translation into African languages. He was a man of towering intellect, but he didn’t use it to crush others, but to build them up and encourage them. After a serious illness he died on 10 June 2008. Publication. Author: Bedieko, K. Book Title: Theology and identity: The impact of culture upon Christian thought in the second century and in modern Africa. Publisher: Oxford: Regnum Books. Year of publication: (1992). 3.) Bosch, David Jacobus - South African theologian David Jacobus Bosch was born into an Afrikaner home on December 13, 1929, near the town of Kuruman in the Cape Province of South Africa. Bosch was a theologian trained in the classic, European tradition. His facility in languages (he was conversant in Afrikaans, English, German, Dutch, French, and Xhosa) enabled him to act as a bridge builder between...
Words: 2218 - Pages: 9
...Bediako Kwame Student’s Name Class Date Bediako Kwame The aspect of African traditional religion has been a debate for a long time. Many theologians have tried to explain the many aspects of the African religion. What they believed in, how people should relate to one another and even the view about death and afterlife. Before the coming of missionaries and the introduction of Christianity African had their traditional religion that not only helped in bringing them together but was used to ask for favors from their gods. African theologians have been trying to establish the relationship between Christianity and African traditional religion. One bone of contention that theologians face is on the relationship between Christians and their dead ancestors. Among the Africans death does not mark the end of the human relationship as they consider those who die to have entered the spirit world. African theology is the key to understanding Christianity in Africa. The saying that it is ill-advised to run randomly in African forests is quite applicable in the case of African theology. It is always advisable to get the guidance of someone who identifies with its paths and the landscape. This essay will, therefore, look into the life of Bediako Kwame as a guide as to understanding African Christian theology. The essay will look into the biographical details and description of historical, social, cultural, economic and political factors within which he lived and worked. Moreover...
Words: 2420 - Pages: 10
...Luther's theology is, unsurprisingly, is centred on God compared with Zinzendorf’s theology by experiences. Luther's theology benefits from past sources of tradition, complementing his academic background. While, Zinzendorf’s passage is merely rhetorical. FAITH INFLUENCED BY THEOLOGY SOURCES - HOLISTIC VS. EXPERIENCE For Luther, his coming to faith was holistically influenced by Scripture, tradition, reason and experience. Even with an academic background, his attempt to interpret Scripture was misguided. He interpreted Paul’s ‘righteous of God’ as a command for lawfulness. Luther faced a crisis, after he realised his experience as a monk living according to human rules, was futile. The guilt of ‘still being a sinner’, led him to question (reason) his idea of ‘righteousness’. Luther sought tradition, when his own inquiry failed him. His revelatory experience, was instantaneous and dramatic...
Words: 824 - Pages: 4
...Schleiermacher is credited as being the father of Christian liberalism. Like most influential Church fathers, unresolved doubts concerning the orthodoxy and doctrine of his time led him to seminary. He developed a strong sense of skepticism towards Christian theology while studying at the University in Halle. In response to the Enlightenment, Friedrich Schleiermacher shifted his thoughts towards his experience and feelings this would usher in a new era of liberal theology. No such theological doctrine had been developed within the historical context of the Christian church; it is helpful to highlight the profound challenges presented by Enlightenment philosophy in the place of religion. Liberals insisted that the ultimate authority in theology must be man, either in his reason, his will or his feelings. If only what can be proven by experiments and deductive reasoning is knowable, how could we know about unverifiable religious doctrines with any certainty? Even among those caught up in Romanticism, a reactionary movement against its cold rationalism, religious dogma and moralistic authority were still perceived as a hindrance to authentic, individual freedom. One could be cultured, optimistic, moral and full of ideals. However, religion seemed irrelevant to the progress of the human spirit. In the autumn of 1797, Schleiermacher began to be connected with a circle of young Romantic friends devoted to aesthetic, literary and philosophical interests. It was to such Berlin bohemians who were...
Words: 1381 - Pages: 6
...African Christianity: A case study on Theology in Africa Today Christianity is a term that is used very broadly. Over the past few decades Christianity has mainly been predominate in the West and looked upon as a Western religion. For example, one would not expect high number of Christians in places overseas like Indonesia where it is a Muslim majority country. But as times have gone on the number of Christians throughout the entire world have drastically increased since then. According to the Phew Form, the top countries with the largest number of Christians are the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Germany, Philippines, China, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia. In fact Indonesia actually contains more Christians than the combined 20 countries within Middle East-North Africa region (Phew, 2011, 13). According to Barrett, within multiple graphs and statistics shows rapid growth of Christianity in the developing countries of the Global South, in places like Asia, Africa, and Latin America (1970). About 90% of Christians live in countries where Christians are in the majority leaving approximately 10% of Christians worldwide living as minorities (Phew, 2011). Christianity is a religion that is found everywhere throughout the world. The religion today can definitely be said to be nothing at all alike as to what it was like a century ago. Christianity has truly become a global faith accepted by people, communities, and homes across the entire world....
Words: 1495 - Pages: 6
...Introduction Philosophy of religion is a branch of philosophy concerned with questions regarding religion, including the nature and existence of God, the examination of religious experience, analysis of religious vocabulary and texts, and the relationship of religion and science. It is an ancient discipline, being found in the earliest known manuscripts concerning philosophy, and relates to many other branches of philosophy and general thought, including metaphysics, logic, and history. Philosophy of religion is frequently discussed outside of academia through popular books and debates, mostly regarding the existence of God and problem of evil. The philosophy of religion differs from religious philosophy in that it seeks to discuss questions regarding the nature of religion as a whole, rather than examining the problems brought forth by a particular belief system. It is designed such that it can be carried out dispassionately by those who identify as believers or non-believers. Religion: A Part of Metaphysics Philosophy of religion has classically been regarded as a part of metaphysics. In Aristotle's Metaphysics, the necessarily prior cause of eternal motion was an unmoved mover, who, like the object of desire, or of thought, inspires motion without itself being moved. This, according to Aristotle, is God, the subject of study in theology. Today, however, philosophers have adopted the term philosophy of religion for the subject, and typically it is regarded...
Words: 1759 - Pages: 8
...Samuel George Submitted by: Sunil K. Rajan, M. Div. – III ------------------------------------------------- Date: November 10, 2011 1.0. Introduction Paul Tillich (1886-1965) was a major figure in twentieth-century theology. After holding several academic posts in Germany, he and his family moved to the United States in November 1933. He subsequently held teaching positions at Union Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, and the University of Chicago Divinity School. The author of several well-known books, he is possibly best remembered for his three-volume Systematic Theology. The present paper is an attempt to give a summary of Tillich’s theological method of correlation and offer an evaluation. 1.1. Summary of Method In his Systematic Theology, Tillich undertakes this mediating task by exhibiting a correlation between religion and culture. Tillich begins by contrasting “kerygmatic” theology with “apologetic” theology. Kerygmatic theology “emphasizes the unchangeable truth of the message (kerygma) over against the changing demands of the situation.” The relation between the two, he suggests, is like the correlation between “questioning” and “answering” in a conversation. Although Tillich maintains that the statements of apologetic theology must be based on the kerygma, his real concern is using what he terms “the ‘method of correlation’ as a way of uniting message and situation.” When properly used, he says, this method “correlates questions and answers, situation...
Words: 1182 - Pages: 5
...to his critical thinking. For Bacon, nothing exists in the universe except individual bodies. I do not agree with this on the terms of it clearly shown that there is more in this world than just people. I believe that his scientific method and his gatherings are what has lead him to believe such a theory. Moving forward, Bacon tends to divide theology into two categories: natural and revealed. Natural theology is knowing that God exist, we know this because of study of nature and the creatures God created. I am a follower of natural theology, I enjoy studying creations because it makes my faith for God a lot stronger. Anything other than the knowledge of God and his creations is labeled under revealed theology. As I read and read the New Atlantis, I am beginning to see that the society in the story is definitely a scientific society. Also, in the New Atlantis, the need for man to be driven does not exist, also the scarcity is demolished because there is no need for money. It is all based off of science. I can agree on some aspects of science and religion. However, there are a few points that I can make as a Christian as to why religion is not science. The first point is the creation of the world. I do not believe it was science that created the world, I believe it was God who created the heavens and the Earth and everything that lives on it. This can even go as far as believing in evolution, the science of believing man evolved instead of being created. I do not agree with evolution...
Words: 690 - Pages: 3
...Religious Philosophers and Speculative Atheists Interpretations of Hume's philosophy of religion are often made against the background of more general interpretations of his philosophical intentions. From this perspective, it is not unusual to view Hume's views on religion in terms of the skepticism and naturalism that features prominently in his Treatise of Human Nature (1739-40), his first and most ambitious philosophical work. According to the account that is now widely accepted in the scholarly literature, Hume removed almost all the material in the Treatise that was concerned with religion because he was anxious to avoid causing any “offence” among the orthodox. In his later works, beginning with an Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748), Hume began to present his views on this subject in a more substantial and direct manner. This culminates in his Natural History of Religion (1757) and Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (1779; published posthumously) – both of which are entirely taken up with philosophical issues in religion. The linkage between these various works, on this account, is that the later writings on religion are simply an extension and application of the sceptical and naturalistic principles that Hume developed in his earlier writings. While it is certainly true that there is an intimate connection between Hume's scepticism and naturalism and his irreligious objectives and orientation, it is not evident that this relationship should be understood...
Words: 1814 - Pages: 8
...When I think of theology I think of the word of God, God, Jesus and religion. I think when you study theology you are studying what and who God truly is. I also know that when you study God you have to study his son and the thing that he did while walking this earth. Jesus did some remarkable things in that time. All these thing are a part of who God is. Christianity is what We are taught. It is what we that believe in and follow the Lord learn on Sundays and when we study his word. I also think that theology includes the study of the Bible and all the things that Jesus talk to his follows in the three years that he was on this earth. Theology is a broad topic. Like the books states we all or theologies because we all have thoughts, beliefs and opinion on what God is. In taking this course I hope to learn what theology really is. I want to learn what studying it means and how studying theology can bring you closer to God. In reading the course work for this week I already see that this there is a lot of interesting Things about God and Jesus that I Didn’t know. I love how this course goes into details about how different people look at. religion. More importantly I love to read so I love obtaining different types knowledge. I think theology will also expand on my love history because the bible covers a large amount of the history of the...
Words: 265 - Pages: 2
...on What is the Relation between Science and Religion William Lane Craig Examines several ways in which science and theology relate to each other. Back in 1896 the president of Cornell University Andrew Dickson White published a book entitled A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom. Under White’s influence, the metaphor of “warfare” to describe the relations between science and the Christian faith became very widespread during the first half of the 20th century. The culturally dominant view in the West—even among Christians—came to be that science and Christianity are not allies in the search for truth, but adversaries. To illustrate, several years ago I had a debate with a philosopher of science at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver , Canada, on the question “Are Science and Religion Mutually Irrelevant?” When I walked onto the campus, I saw that the Christian students sponsoring the debate had advertised it with large banners and posters proclaiming “Science vs. Christianity.” The students were perpetuating the same sort of warfare mentality that Andrew Dickson White proclaimed over a hundred years ago. What has happened, however, in the second half of this century is that historians and philosophers of science have come to realize that this supposed history of warfare is a myth. As Thaxton and Pearcey point out in their recent book The Soul of Science, for over 300 years between the rise of modern science in the 1500’s and the late 1800s the relationship...
Words: 4080 - Pages: 17
