신학과 일반 학문 : 경계와 경계의 허물어짐

Abstract

Theology as the center of science played an integrative role in the Middle Ages. It took an interactive as well as integrative perspective to prove God exists beyond the clear division between theology and general studies. It was, then, not until the 18th century that on the scene came the ideas of the Enlightenment (Aufklaerung), which emphasized human rationality (Vernunft). From that time on, the rationality-based general studies came to be separated from the belief-based theology. An interdisciplinary research, however, has been in the spotlight so far, starting from the late 20th century. Looking back to the trace of history gone by, theology and general studies sometimes took an integrative but ambiguous role respectively like a pendulum moving left and right inside the clock, whereas sometimes the boundaries between each area have been clearly distinguished. In other words, theology and general studies have been developed by giving and taking interactively throughout the relatively long course of history. So there seems to be a difficulty in easily cutting the boundary between these two areas. There is clearly a differentiated aspect between theology and general studies. When seen comprehensively, a demarcation between them disappears and an integrative perspective to see them is also needed. That is why and how these two areas should go together by striking a balance. Eliminating the boundary of theology and general studies can be a common task not only in theology but also in general studies. The task of theology goes beyond that of general studies. Likewise, the task of general studies returns to that of theology. So in this study, the researcher would like to insist that there can be co-existence of the disappearance of each boundary between theology and general studies. Furthermore, this study tries to deal with the whole from a part, and vice versa, emphasizing entirety.