Wozu Theologie?

Abstract

Why theology? The paper explores this fundamental question in eight steps. Firstly, the interests of both the state and the church in a university education of theologians are reflected upon. Subsequently, the question arises why teachers of religion and professionally educated chaplains are needed at all in modern society. The reference to non-Christian religions can sharpen the view for this question anew. Then it is asked what function religion has in modern society. In this context, the author examines the particular challenges posed by the Corona pandemic in the recent past. In doing so, she shows that religion refers to the unsolvable questions. Theology, therefore, has to face (in systematic theology) on the one hand the crisis of God in modern society and to reflect (in practical theology) on the other hand a humane approach of dying and death. In the end, the author comes back to the role of faith for scientific-theological truth finding. Faith strives to understand itself. That is what theology is for. ©2023 by Gutersloher Verlagshaus, Gutersloh, in der Verlagsgruppe Random House GmbH, Munchen.