Theology, Philosophy & Apologetics

[Magnanimity]

On the classical understanding of theology and philosophy, I take the scholastics to have arrived at a position similar to this:

Theology is the highest science (branch of knowledge) since it has God as its subject matter.

Philosophy is the handmaiden to theology, yet it is the highest natural science as it treats of being as such.

But, where does apologetics fit in? Is it within the auspices of fundamental theology? Is it a separate ‘science’ altogether?

(Also, and this is a bit of an aside, why is there no theology forum here on CAF? I know this question gets raised here every so often, but have we ever gotten a clear answer from the moderators? I did a quick search but it yielded no obvious results. It strikes me as an odd omission.)

 

[Moscati]

Wikipedia was mildly helpful: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apologetics

I get the feeling that apologetics is different from theology and philosophy in that it has no set subject matter, only a goal: to defend and persuade others of one’s argument.

In that sense, apologetics is not a ‘science’ at all, and has no subject matter proper to it; it’s simply a name we give to defenses/persuasions, no matter what their subject matter.

Of course, many theologians/philosophers have engaged in specifically Christian apologetics (Tertullian, Augustine, Aquinas, etc). Interesting question!

 

[Julian0404]

Apologetics is both scriptural and sacramental. I believe it is St. Paul who advises “…always be ready to give a defense for your faith…” paraphrase, and at the reception of the sacrament of Confirmaiton, that “little slap/tap” on the face by the Bishop is ceremonial in communicating to the candidate to be prepared “to defend the faith”.

Sadly, I believe as a church, we can do much better in preparing our children to be able to defend their faith. Perhaps with this new emphasis by the Bishops on no longer remaining silent in the face of Catholic authorities violating the teaching of the church, we are getting back on track.

 

[Magnanimity]

Moscati,

I think I view this the same way as you, no subject matter proper to apologetics, hence not a science, but I suppose it should fall within theology somehow? I’ve heard some say it falls within what has been called “fundamental theology,” but just wanted to see what others thought about that.

I still find it odd that the “Queen of the Sciences” doesn’t have her own forum here at CAF.

 

[Moscati]

So true about the lack of a theology forum! Aquinas would be disappointed.

I had to look up fundamental theology:

That branch of theology which establishes the fact that God has made a supernatural revelation and established the Church, founded by Christ, as its divinely authorized custodian and interpreter. It is called theology because it is a science dealing with God; and it is fundamental because its role is to set forth the rational foundations of the Catholic faith.

That sounds to me like it would be a specific subset of Catholic apologetics. So . . . all fundamental theology is apologetics, but not all apologetics are fundamental theology?

 

[AmbroseSJ]

Apologetics is both scriptural and sacramental. I believe it is St. Paul who advises “…always be ready to give a defense for your faith…” paraphrase,

[BIBLEDRB]1 peter 3:15[/BIBLEDRB]