Synopses & Reviews
Rather than asking if theology is theoretical or practical ? a question that reveals a fundamental lack of understanding about the nature of theology in general ? it is better to ask "What exactly is theology?" It is this question that Oswald Bayer attempts to answer in Theology the Lutheran Way, clearing up misconceptions about the essence of theology. Along with Luther himself, Bayer claims that theology, rather than being something that we do, is really what God does. Based primarily on the third section of Bayer's original German work of the same title, this book evaluates certain approaches to theology that have been influential, from Schleiermacher's understanding of theology to debates with Kant, Hegel, and Bultmann. It also includes a substantial section on Luther from the original in order to clarify the Lutheran tradition.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Important moments in the understanding of theology. Christian theology between metaphysics and mythology -- Monastic and scholastic theology -- The main problems with the philosophy of science. Part One: Luther's understanding of theology. Sources and task -- Luther's response to the philosophy of science tradition -- The three "rules" : Oratio, meditatio, tentatio -- Catechetical systematics -- Philosophy and theology. Part Two: Understanding theology today. Divine service and theology -- The main problems with the philosophy of science -- Promise and faith -- Transformations: The problem of secularization -- Theology and methodology -- Specificity and breadth -- Faith and sight.