LFU:online

The participants are familiar with justified and problematic arguments for and against divine action in the world, history and personal life. They are familiar with corresponding controversies, distinctions and solutions and are thus able to participate in discussions on these topics, to strengthen a biblically and rationally based faith in God and prayer, and thus to contribute to overcoming ecclesiastical polarisation.

Divine action in the world, history and personal life is a fundamental prerequisite for biblical talk of God. On the other hand, it raises philosophical and theological problems that have contributed to an increasing relativisation. The possibility of miracles was excluded in order not to endanger the autonomy of the natural law orders – with the consequence of deism. The possibility of a „special action of God“ in history was questioned „after Auschwitz“ for reasons of theodicy, so that God would not become unplausible in his goodness charged with failure to provide assistance – with the consequence of a „semi-deism“. This opened up rifts in the Christian denominations to conservative schools of thought, as well as to evangelical and charismatic renewal and prayer movements, which expect a God who hears prayers and works miracles on a biblical basis. The lecture presents problems and controversies as well as theological distinctions and new perspectives in order to strengthen a biblically and rationally based faith in God and to overcome ecclesiastical polarisation.

Lecture, readings, discussion.

Oral exam.

General information on exams, dates and sign-on at the department: https://www.uibk.ac.at/systheol/lehre/pruefungen.html.en.

Literature will be made available in OLAT.

None.