The Problem of Method in Theology

Wrocławski Przegląd Teologiczny 28 (2020) 1, 61–73 Wrocław Theological Review Helmut Jan Sobeczko The Faculty of Theology of the University of Opole, Poland ORCID: 0000-0002-1203-4385 The Problem of Method in Theology* Problem metody w teologii Abstr act: The problem of method (methods) in theology is connected to the understanding of theology as a science as well as to the understanding of its identity. In theology understood as a science there is no single scientific method, because there are many theological disciplines and each of them uses its own methods. Therefore, we speak in fact of the pluralism of the theological methods. In this paper the Author limited the analysis of the methodological issues of theological studies to showing the basic methodological elements: first, to those which are common to all theological disciplines and second, he presented one of the most important hermeneutic methods, i.e. the linguistic one, which is a method of analysing texts, used mainly in biblical, liturgical and patristic sciences. In the last part of the paper he refers to some of the newest works concerning the methods used in different theological disciplines. Keywords: theology, theological studies, methodology of theology, scientific research, hermeneutics, linguistic hermeneutics Abstrakt: Problem metody (metod) w teologii wiąże się z rozumieniem teologii jako nauki, a także z rozumieniem jej tożsamości. W teologii jako nauce nie istnieje jedna metoda naukowa, bo jest wiele dyscyplin teologicznych i każda posługuje się własnymi metodami – stąd też mówimy o pluralizmie metod teologicznych. W omawianiu problematyki metodologicznej nauk teologicznych autor ograniczył się jedynie do ukazania podstawowych elementów metodologicznych, najpierw wspólnych wszystkim dyscyplinom teologicznym, a następnie szczegółowiej omówił jedną z podstawowych metod hermeneutycznych, to jest lingwistyczną, czyli metodę analizy tekstów stosowaną głównie w naukach biblijnych, liturgicznych i patrystycznych. W ostatniej części * The article is based on the text of the speech delivered during the International Scientific Conference on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology in post-war Poland “Theology in the world of science,” which was held at the Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Wrocław on 22–23 June, 2018. DOI: 10.34839/wpt.2020.28.1.61-73 © Papieski Wydział Teologiczny we Wrocławiu 62 Helmut Jan Sobeczko natomiast wskazał najnowsze opracowania dotyczące metod stosowanych w poszczególnych dyscyplinach teologicznych. Słowa kluczowe: teologia, nauki teologiczne, metodologia teologii, badania naukowe, hermeneutyka, hermeneutyka lingwistyczna T he problem of method (methods) in theology is connected to the understanding of theology as a science as well as to the understanding of its identity. We are dealing with a broad, difficult and ambiguously defined issue here. At the beginning it should be stated that there is no single scientific method in theology, as there are many theological disciplines, hence we are talking about pluralism of theological methods. From a scientific point of view, methodology is always one of the central problems, because one cannot actually do any science without full awareness of what it does, why and for what purpose, as well as what research means and instruments it has at its disposal. This also applies to theology, which must constantly specify the subject under examination, define objectives and tasks, and select methods that correspond to both the subject and the adopted goals.1 We are witnessing the emergence of new scientific disciplines, which is due to the improvement of research tools. Consequently, more and more narrow scientific specialisations are developing. In addition, interdisciplinary studies are carried out, which require appropriate research methods. This is taking place in almost every scientific field, including theology. Scientific methods are therefore constantly evolving and becoming more precise. In the developing theological studies today, theology cannot be narrowed down mainly to systematic theology. Within the framework of theology, a whole range of disciplines have emerged, which use their own research methods. These methods are being constantly improved, but often are unfortunately little known to theologians of other disciplines, which does not favour objectivity of their own research. It should also be noted that we are observing poor methodological knowledge of theological studies, which can be seen especially in theses and publications written for further academic advancements. The timeframe does not allow for even a cursory discussion of all the rich methodological issues of theological studies, so we will limit ourselves to examining only the fundamental methodological elements common to all theological disciplines (1); then we will discuss one of the basic hermeneutic 1 See: M. Rusecki, Wprowadzenie, [in:] Metodologia teologii, “Studia Nauk Teologicznych PAN,” idem (ed.), vol. 2, 2007, p. 5. The Problem of Method in Theology 63 methods, i.e. the method of text analysis, used primarily in biblical, liturgical and patristic studies (2); while in the last part we will present the latest studies on the methods adopted in all theological disciplines (3). Basic methodological elements common to all theological disciplines First of all, we must remember that every specific theological discipline is a theo logy that was formerly defined, in accordance with the etymology of the word, as the science of God. Nowadays we also claim that theology is concentrated on God, who gives salvation to man. This God’s activity and God’s word, or Revelation, has been realised in history and continues on in the Church, where it is constantly updated (made present). Theology explores the Revelations, explains and systematises them, and at the same time tries to adapt to the spirit of the times and the mentality of the era. It shows God as someone close to man who acts for his good. Theology is to make man know himself in the light of Revelation as well as understand the meaning of life and the final fulfilment of hope. In the process of implementation of these tasks, individual theological disciplines use the achievements of other sciences, especially natural sciences and humanities, and do so to varying degrees depending on their objectives.2 In theological studies, there are two methodological assumptions, namely: a) about the rationalisation of faith (Revelation) – we determine what we believe in and how the Holy Bible and Tradition see it;3 b) “revelationalisation” of the world and emerging problems, e.g. abortion and in vitro. We ask what Revelation says about these issues.4 Stanisław Napiórkowski (OFM Conv) defines these assumptions differently and speaks of two ways of theological cognition (about two approaches of theologians to the word of God), namely the bottom-up way, i.e. from the word (...truncated)