Theology as the divine science: Historical and analogical or ahistorical and illogical?

Abstract

What is theology? What way of thinking does the study of theology presuppose? Is theology irreconcilable with the modern historical consciousness? Based on the lectures on theology in John Henry Newman's work The Idea of the University, we consider theology the science of God in the broader sense of the word, that is, in the sense of a systematic study. This science has a unique position in the system of sciences due to its specific subject, which is God. Theology is not ahistorical; its methods correspond to the conditions of human cognition, because it is the only way of cognition available to us as humans. It examines the truths about God that are based on historical Revelation. It is therefore a historical reflection on God based on God’s historical Revelation. The method of theology is at the same time analogical and spiritual, in the sense of investigating and learning the truths about God through the deeds, teachings and the mind of Jesus Christ.