010064 SE Concepts of Systematic Theology (2020S)

This course introduces to the transformation of general systematic-theological concepts on the background of contemporary philosophy. Traditionally, theology draws inspiration from philosophy according to the principle philosophia ancilla theologiae. Recently, the philosophers of various schools and traditions exercised the return to religion. This movement is sometimes alternatively termed “the theological turn” of contemporary philosophy. Who are the protagonists of the theological turn? What are their questions? And why theological topics find the way back to philosophical reasoning in our secular world? This course will provide the introduction to the theological turn with a special focus on philosophers of the Catholic background. The Catholic protagonists of the theological turn, albeit philosophers, re-read, rethink and re-interpret the fundamental theological concepts. For example, Jean-Luc Marion focuses on the concept of Revelation; Michel Henry focuses on the Incarnation; Jean-Louis Chrétien discusses the phenomenology of prayer; and more contemporary authors explore the liturgical essence of existence (Jean Yves Lacoste), and the Resurrection as the path of human transformation (Emmanuel Falque). These Christian concepts and their philosophical interpretations will be in the center of the course. Nevertheless, our key question will be theological: What can theology learn from these novel philosophical explorations? Are we witnessing the rise of new philosophia ancilla theologiae? Could we use the theological turn for making theology more relevant? In what ways, if any, can the theological turn in contemporary philosophy challenge and change our theology?

Method:
The course will combine lectures with reading and interpreting primary texts in class.

Course Goals:
The goals of this course are:
• To deepen knowledge of the contents and methods of systematic theology.
• To become familiar with the most current perspective on crucial concepts of systematic-theology
• To provide instruction in a critical reading of primary sources.
• To practice the task of interpreting and also thinking beyond studied theological texts.