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I do not subscribe to empirical theological views as I take to a Reformed, historical, grammatical perspective as a philosophical theologian that also works with philosophy of religion. However, quote: 'Erickson appears to agree with this notion to a point as he comments that in theology, truth and experience are always related.[1]'
This is one of the methodology sections I was required to write for my Doctorate in order to provide methodology for my questionnaires and surveys.
As noted previously, I
am obviously more of a philosophical theologian than an experimental one,
although for balance will admit that concepts and theology, even from a Biblical
Christian perspective are examined and pondered on. A reason to have blogs such as I do.
Thanks.
William Dean (1990)
comments that empirical theology begins with a particular speculative view of
life,[2]
which in turn leads to the use of the empirical method.[3]
Methodology: William
Dean
Dean explains that
for empirical theology, method is the outcome of content and not the other way
around.[4] The empirical method contributes to the continual
development, correction and revision of speculative content.[5] He writes that empirical method is
distinctive in making experience the highest authority;[6]
however, he reasons that even anti-experimental theologians depend on Scripture
and related tradition when they are trusted and experienced.[7] Erickson appears to agree with this notion
to a point as he comments that in theology, truth and experience are always
related.[8] This connection would be denied or
questioned, but theological truth will always impact experience.[9]
F.W. Dillistone (1999) writes that it is a
distinctive aspect of Christianity that one learns continually through
religious experience.[10] Revelation through Christ is the source of
that experience.[11] Theological empiricism examines its
perspectives to determine if they are connected to the experienced world.[12]
To Dean, empirical theology, one, begins with
a speculative view of life as a struggle.[13] He also states that, two, from moment to
moment empirical theology uses a speculative model to generate piecemeal
conclusions in the face of little reliable empirical knowledge.[14] For Dean method is the outcome of content, as
empirical research and findings shall determine the reasonable plausibility of
the theology. In the end, the assumptions
of practical theology must be examined by consequences, and if the theology
does take root in the real world.[15]
DEAN, WILLIAM
(1986) American Religious Empiricism, Albany, State University of New York
Press.
DEAN, WILLIAM (1990)
‘Empirical Theology: A Revisable Tradition’, in Process Studies, Volume 19, Number 2, pp. 85-102. Claremont,
California, The Center for Process Studies.
DILLISTONE, F.W.
(1999) ‘Religious Experience’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology,
London, SCM Press Ltd.
ERICKSON, MILLARD
(1994) Christian Theology, Grand
Rapids, Baker Book House.
ERICKSON, MILLARD
(2003) What Does God Know and When Does
He Know It? Grand Rapids,
Zondervan.
[1] Erickson (1994: 29).
[3] Dean (1990: 85-102).
[5] Dean (1990: 2).
[7] Dean (1990: 3).
[8] Erickson (1994: 29).
[9] Erickson (1994: 29).
[10] Dillistone (1999: 207).
[11] Dillistone (1999: 207).
[12] Dean (1990: 5).
[13] Dean (1990: 5).
[15] Dean (1990: 5).
