Francis Hall, 1 - On the science of Theology
Aron and I recently came up Francis Hall's Theological Outlines over at the Disseminary. Since the nice fellas over there uploaded all three volumes of the Outlines, we decided we should read them. So, until we finish them, or get tired of them, or you get tired of us, we're occasionally going to use this blog as a forum for discussion on the Outlines. We invite you to join us.
By way of introduction, let's look at Hall himself first.
Hall (1857-1933)was a priest and professor, at one time Chair of Dogmatic Theology at General Theological Seminary in NY. He was an active Anglo-catholic, and delivered a rousing essay on re-union of the Catholic Church at the 2nd Anglo-catholic Congress in 1923. From 1892-95, he wrote the three vols of the outlines. Then, from 1908-1922 he published the 10 volumes Dogmatic Theolgy.
Tonight, I'll quickly summarize the first section, a response to the question, "What is Theology?" Like any good systematician, Hall answers that Theology is a science, specifically the science of anything and everything that relates to God. Naturally, this means that not a thing falls outside the purview of theology. "Theology cannot be shut out from any sphere of being or fact, but treats of all things in so far as they are related to God and Divine purposes." Rather, theology, as our knowledge of God's natural and supernatural dealings (but especially in our world) is nourished by the involvement and findings of the other disciplines. So, while there should be a conservative element and compulsion in theology vs. a willy nilly rejection of tradition, there is also a progressive movement always happening in theology as the other disciplines and theologians make new discoveries. "Theology is a progressive science, for it can never exhaust the scientific bearings of the Faith; and is enriched by every increase in natural knowledge, in so far as such knowledge throws light upon Divine operations and purposes."
NB. Hall declares at the opening of his 4th footnote - a rather long footnote in which he outlines the history of the Systematic and Dogmatic theology tome - that "Anglican literature lacks a really complete treatise of Dogmatic Theology."
Not much has changed in over 100 years.
3 comments:
Good idea to read Hall from the beginning. With H von Balthazer, you're already on vol. 5... I enjoyed the earlier Rowan Williams post, too. Your wenlog has excellent links and visiting them I learned that Rowan Williams was a student of von Balthazer, about whom I know less than I'd like.
Janet, thanks much for the kind words. von Balthasar is really a treat to read, at first glance because his scope is so catholic. Aron's summation of our reading captures nicely the level of discourse vB is maintaining - probably a good clue as to why he captures the minds of so many like Williams, Ratzinger, Schindler, etc.. btw, which link did you follow to find the info about Williams?
Sorry, if you got my note about your web address, it was my mistake. There isn't a problem with it. 9I don't recall which link it was on Williams.)
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