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For centuries it has been discussed whether systematic theology is a scientific discipline. But it is not obvious what is meant by either "systematic theology" or "scientific discipline". Michael Agerbo Mørch presents an understanding of systematic theology as a tripartite discipline and science as a rationally justified public discourse about a given topic. Systematic theology is shown to meet the most generally accepted criteria for scientific work, since its theories can be tested and even falsified in an intersubjective setting. This can be done by the most proper tool we have for assessing and comparing scientific theories, which is coherence theory. Therefore, even though systematic theology is a distinct and normative discipline, it is not compromising for its theories because it can present its theses in a transparent way that can be checked and criticized by peers and compared to relevant alternatives. As such, the book shows that systematic theology is a scientifically strong discourse that meets accepted criteria to the same degree as other disciplines.
About the author
Michael Agerbo Mørch is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at the Copenhagen Lutheran School of Theology.Christina Aus der Au ist Dozentin für Religionen, Ethik und Politik an der Pädagogischen Hochschule Thurgau/Schweiz.Gijsbert van den Brink ist University Research Professor for Theology & Science and der VU Amsterdam.Dirk Evers ist Professor für Systematische Theologie/Dogmatik an der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg.Matthias D. Wüthrich, Dr. theol., ist Ordentlicher Professor für Systematische Theologie insbesondere Religionsphilosophie am Institut für Hermeneutik und Religionsphilosophie der Universität Zürich.
Summary
For centuries it has been discussed whether systematic theology is a scientific discipline. But it is not obvious what is meant by either “systematic theology” or “scientific discipline”. Michael Agerbo Mørch presents an understanding of systematic theology as a tripartite discipline and science as a rationally justified public discourse about a given topic. Systematic theology is shown to meet the most generally accepted criteria for scientific work, since its theories can be tested and even falsified in an intersubjective setting. This can be done by the most proper tool we have for assessing and comparing scientific theories, which is coherence theory. Therefore, even though systematic theology is a distinct and normative discipline, it is not compromising for its theories because it can present its theses in a transparent way that can be checked and criticized by peers and compared to relevant alternatives. As such, the book shows that systematic theology is a scientifically strong discourse that meets accepted criteria to the same degree as other disciplines.
Foreword
Systematic theology can be true to its own nature while simultaneously meeting generally accepted criteria for scientific work. As long as theological theories can demonstrate their coherence in comparison with the best alternative theories, they are scientific.
