Is Theology a Science?

Description

What elements of theology allow it to be considered a science? What are the parallels between theological deduction and scientific analysis? Theology, specifically, is a science aimed at understanding the faith. Yet this understanding is not destructive of mystery. Theology is born, grows up and is brought to full accomplishment within the heart of mystery--not only is its subject matter the mystery of God and his historical plans, it is also the fact that its inner workings, even in their most intellectual forms are wholly penetrated with the mysterious light of faith. The relationshop between theology and faith must be carefully defined. Theology as science, far from emptying or diminishing faith, allows the believing intelligence to develop its own scientific spirit, but always "under the enduring efficacy of the infused light of faith." Introduction -- The problem -- Opposition to a theological science -- Unwitting theologians -- Objections -- Theology and faith -- Theology and theodicy -- Understanding the faith -- Theology and mystery -- God's silence -- Based upon the evidence -- Gospel and theology -- Theological science -- Theological reasoning -- The work of theological reasoning -- Theology and reason -- Arguments from fittingness -- Non-rational functions -- "Sacred" science -- The example of the Middle Ages -- The master's role -- Theological systems -- The various theological systems -- The Thomist system -- Positive, scholastic, spiritual, pastoral -- Theology and culture -- Select bibliography