Theology

Dogmatics is a field within (systematic) theology that deals with the development of the content of Christian faith and its responsibility to the present. Against the background of dogmatics’ historical developments, we focus on what characterizes dogmatics as an academic (wissenschaftliche) discipline (such as systematicity, positionality, contextuality, interdisciplinarity), the tasks and goals it pursues, the sources (Bible, practice of faith, experience) and norms it refers to, and the subjects that it deals with. In light of the plurality internal to dogmatics, we discuss the position of dogmatics in the context of systematic theology and also thematize the status of dogmatics as an academic discipline. Finally, our own understanding of dogmatics in the context of the SysLex project is presented and explained as followed: “Dogmatics means theologizing in the face of the present as a reflective endeavor related to the Christian faith and its practices. This process gives rise to a dialogical context that, within academic dogmatics at least, aims at increasing coherence and at methodologically grounded dispute around and between categories of interpretation. Dogmatics finds a central – but not the only – place in academic theology (wissenschaftliche Theologie).”

• Prolegomena
• Systematic Theology

The biological theory of evolution understands the emergence and further development of organisms as an ongoing process throughout history. This challenged theology to reflect on its own understanding of creation and related questions of the doctrine of God and anthropology. The background to these reflections is the question of the fundamental relationship between theology and natural science. Evolution and creation are related to each other in different ways – from the view that they are incompatible to a synthesis of both concepts.

Not only the theory of the natural origin of species, but also the idea of a naturally explainable evolution of religion has been and continues to be understood as a challenge to religion and theology.

Essentially, two ethical perspectives can be distinguished when it comes to the Church hymn, both of which emerge out of the formal character (Gestalt) of this genre of music. First, we are with the Church hymn dealing exclusively with text-bound music. These texts can be the object of ethical analysis with respect to their inherent claims about human existence or with respect to the ways in which they either prompt action or the omission of action. Second and even more primarily, the ethical implications of the Church hymn disclose themselves in the performative dimension. Participation in and through music in particular situational contexts has demonstrable effects on the body that are worthy of ethical consideration. The emphasis in this essay lies on the music.

• Ecclesiology