Theology, Religious Studies and Theological Education. Some Shards of Thought to Always be Discovered Anew

Abstract

The author collected a few insights which he would consider as important concerning religiosity and religions in theological education. According to the first part it should be clear for future pastors, church workers and teachers of religion that they are always challenged by the question of the origin of religiosity, humanity and morality. The key question lying behind these is: What is the human being as such? The second part deals with the question of what objectivity in religious studies means and how much it is different in theology. It cannot be identified with agnosticism or even atheism. Any student of theology has to study other religions in their context, the history of their origins with utmost understanding and empathy which need not necessarily mean agreement. This leads to the third part on interreligious and ecumenical dialogue. Personal contacts cannot be substituted even with the best up-to-date literature. Dialogue does not mean self-abandonment, because that would make it unserious. Principles in ecumenical, i.e. inter-church dialogue are basically the same, although it is much more what unites than divides the partners. Briefly: we are truth-seekers. Finally a conclusion is summed up in nine theses.