Philosophical theology
Philosophical theology is a term used to describe the process of doing theology with the aid and support of philosophical reflection, language, and methods. Philosophical theology is sometimes viewed as a sub-category of philosophy of religion, providing ways to understand different doctrines or theological concepts through the use of philosophy. There are typically two different categories in philosophical theology: "The first category includes attempts to demonstrate the truth of religious claims by appeal to evidence available apart from purported divine revelations. The second category includes attempts to demonstrate the consistency and plausibility of theological claims using philosophical techniques." ^ [1]^ This first category uses what is called natural theology to understand Christian claims. The second appeals to philosophy to understand theological convictions derived from divine revelation.
Multimedia
- Christianity and Philosophy: Friends or Enemies?, (MP3) by Ron Nash
Quotes
"Everyone needs to know some philosophy in order to understand the major doctrines of Christianity or to read a great theologian intelligently" (Allen,Philosophy for Understanding Theology, iii)
Notes
Further reading
- Thomas Flint and Michael Rea, The Oxford Handbook of Philosophical Theology. Oxford University Press, 2009. ISBN 0199289204.
- James K. Beilby, ed., For Faith and Clarity: Philosophical Contributions to Christian Theology. Baker Academic, 2006. ISBN 0801027667.
- Diogenes Allen, Philosophy for Understanding Theology. Westminster John Knox Press, 1985. ISBN 0804206880.
See also
External links
- Philosophy & Theology, a peer-reviewed journal
- Philosophy and Christian Theology, from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Jonathan Edwards philosophical theology, from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Branches of Theology\ Biblical theology | Historical theology | Philosophical theology | Systematic theology | Practical theology