Teologi som vetenskap – vetenskap som teologi. Fyrtio år med nordisk systematisk teologi

Abstract

In his article Tage Kurtén makes an analysis of some important Scandinavian systematic positions during the last 40 years. The author finds that modern thinking was, by far, most influential during the 1960's and 70's in the industrial world. Today the modern mentality has lost much of its taken-for-granted position in many contexts. This makes it interesting to compare the orientations of the previous theological generation to those of the youngest, currently influential one.

Using the two concepts “theology as science („Wissenschaft‟)” and “science („Wissenschaft‟) as theology” he shows, however, that there are two ways of understanding the academic theological task both among elder and younger theological scholars. By “theology as science” the author refers to a position drawing a sharp line between the academic activity and what we do as, for example, church members. Academic theology is by consequence not normative, but descriptive. By “science as theology” he points to an academic theological self-understanding according to which theology deals with a generally valid understanding of life and world, leaning on universal reason. This kind of academic theology tends to be normative – on scientific grounds.

With examples from writings by Anders Nygren (Lund), Anders Jeffner (Uppsala), Jens Glebe-Møller (Copenhagen), Jan-Olav Henriksen (Oslo) and Mattias Martinson (Uppsala) Kurtén tries to prove the fruitfulness of his distinctions. His two central concepts help us discern some similarities and differences nototherwise discernible.