Systematic Theology
a pile of books
On the one hand, systematic theology endeavors to open up the theological tradition with regard to the respective present. On the other hand, it aims at understanding the present in the context of tradition. This also includes ethical questions.
At the same time, systematic theology encourages students to critically question their own understanding of faith. This is because one can only provide information on faith as a theologian or religious education teacher if one knows about what oneself and others believe in. This implies a hermeneutical distance from one’s personal faith.
In order to fulfill the tasks mentioned, theology also draws on the results of other fields of research. The study of systematic theology therefore also includes historical and sociological aspects as well as those concerning sciences.
Traditionally, theology is closely linked to philosophy, which is why students are also introduced to philosophical texts during their studies. However, since in principle anything can become the subject of theological reflection, students will also deal with other sciences, depending on their main area of interest.
The fact that theology in Dresden is taught within a faculty of philosophy offers the special opportunity to learn in an interdisciplinary exchange with other disciplines and to explore what theological ideas mean in the context of other sciences.
The study of systematic theology is divided into the areas of dogmatics and ethics. Ethics (in particular the ethics of science and technology including bioethics) is one focus of work at the chair. A second focus of interest is the discussion between the natural sciences and theology. The presence and manifestations of Christianity in contemporary culture (film, television) form a third focus. In all areas, sources from visual culture are used in addition to texts.
At our department, the following people work on questions concerning systematic theology:
Prof. Dr. Christian Schwarke
Anna Lena Stefanides (research assistant)
Dr. Hermann Diebel-Fischer (Postdoc at ScaDS.AI)
The Department of Church History is assigned to the Chair of Systematic Theology. It is represented by PD Dr. Stefan Michel.