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The Theologian as Storyteller and Philosopher

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 September 2014

T. Patrick Burke*
Affiliation:
Temple University

Abstract

Three theses are offered concerning the nature of theology: (a) In general theology has been the translation of a story into a philosophy in order to preserve the story, which is thought to be necessarily meaningful. (2) This procedure is not defensible, for it subverts both story and philosophy, and the meaningfulness of a story depends on other assumptions, e.g., about the nature of the world. (3) A theology will best serve its tradition not by determinedly ascribing meaning to it, but by evaluating it critically in the light of experience.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The College Theology Society 1977

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References

1 Ἐπιδ ρομὴ τῶν κατα τὴν ·Ελληνικὴν θεολογίαν παραδ εδ ομένων. Editions: Osann: Cornutus, L. AnnaeusDe natura deorum (Göttingen, 1884Google Scholar; Lang: Cornuti, Theologiae Graecae Compendium [Leipzig, 1881])Google Scholar. The passage quoted is par. 19, a translation of which may be found in Grant, F. C., Hellenistic Religions (New York, 1953)Google Scholar.

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21 In his treatment of Hephaistos. Elsewhere he declares that the soul of the world is Zeus.

22 Metaphysics, Bk. Lambda, 1072b.