Pour un exercice libre et public de la raison théologique

Abstract

La theologie universitaire entend developper un discours authentiquement confessionnel et authentiquement critique. Ses tâches peuvent etre distribuees en deux poles: un pole d’articulation aux differents langages qui structurent la modernite et un pole de proclamation du Dieu de Jesus Christ. Cette polarite conditionne l’equilibre du discours: c’est comme prophetie que la theologie est aussi quete d’un authentique humanisme. Seul un exercice libre et public de la raison theologique autorise a epouser pareille ambition; la liberte de pensee et de parole conditionne l’integrite de la fonction critique de la theologie et peut seule combler la mesure de la «franchise» accordee par l’Esprit d’adoption. University theology has the intention of developing a discourse which is authentically confessional and authentically critical. Its tasks can be divided into two areas: an area linked to the different languages which structure modernity and an area of proclamation of the God of Jesus Christ. It is this polarity which determines the equilibrium of its discourse: it is as prophecy that theology is also a quest for authentic humanism. Only the fact of freely and publicly exercising theological reasoning can allow it to take on such an ambition. Freedom of thought and speech conditions the integrity of theology’s critical function and it alone can meet the measure of the 'frankness' granted by the Spirit of adoption.