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Document Details : Title: Europe's Eager Longing for Theology Subtitle: Über die Bedeutung der Theologie in Europa: eine Zeitreise Author(s): KIRSCHNER, Martin Journal: ET-Studies Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Date: 2010 Pages: 111-132 DOI: 10.2143/ETS.1.1.2053956 Abstract : ‘Europe’s eager longing for theology’ – might the title be understood otherwise then ironically? On the other hand: theology emerges from the human longing for God as the Good beyond any finite being. Theology works out the rationality which corresponds to this infinite desiderium – by doing so, theology criticizes a dominating rationality in Europe which is fixed on economic and technological needs. In search for the meaning of theology the essay goes on a journey through times and European space. Starting point is the fictive village parson Don Manuel in Miguel de Unamuno’s novel ‘San Manuel Bueno, mártir’. With all his life he gives a testimony of God and Goodness – while having lost his faith. He gives hope and faith to his pueblo, without having any for himself. How can he be called ‘saint’ and ‘martyr’? The question emerges what it means to bear witness of God and what the task of theology in Europe is. To find an answer the essay asks back to Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109), whose program of fides quaerens intellectum is fundamental for later European rationality in theology as well as philosophy. His Proslogion-argument is read in three ways: First in an analytical perspective as a demonstration of the rationality of the theistic concept of God; second in a transcendental perspective, speaking of God as limit, measure and aim of human reason; third in a phenomenological perspective showing that God has already touched the heart and awakened human longing and reason before asking whether and who He is. Each reading finds evidence in Anselm’s Proslogion. The essay argues that the threefold relecture means a radicalization of human reflection: starting with logical concepts and arguments it goes back to the act of understanding and thinking itself, which seeks an ultimate sense of theoretical and practical reason; the third reading goes further back to a passivity before any activity in which we are constituted as finite, free and responsible beings referring to that above which nothing greater or better can be conceived. Elaborating a rational concept of God and giving reasons for his existence as well as assuring oneself of an ultimate sense are important tasks of theology which emerge necessarily from human reason and contribute to rationality. Still, the main task of theology is to distinguish God from non-God and to purge the human longing for the infinite Good from idolatry. In fulfilling this task theology gives orientation to the public discourse in Europe giving witness of what is worthy beyond any measure: the honour of God and dignity of men. For this kind of theology, there is indeed a longing in Europe. |
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