Theorical Analysis of the Position of Theology in the Modern World

Nowadays, human life has deeply been affected by the expanding dimensions of modernity and this has led to the reconsideration of the relationship between humankind and religion. In this regard, the evolution of the old theology to the new theology with new discussions and issues indicates the confrontation of religious theologians with the problems arising from the relationship between human and modernity. In the study of the process of theological developments, it is evident that the knowledge of theology is of critical importance in terms of social aspect and has affected various aspects of human life. Hence, in an effort to maintain the position of the science of discourse, a lot of theologians and religion scholars interacted with sociologists and philosophers, and some argued and opposed their views.

In order to study the position of the science of discourse in the modern world, the present dissertation has discussed the relationship between the science of discourse and the modern world in the realm of sociology and philosophy to provide a comprehensive and specific project as well as avoid divagation and clearly explain the position of the science of discourse through modern philosophical and social components and elements. However, since the science of discourse is closely related to and influenced by religion and theology, the author has repeatedly used the words including “religion” and “theology” in line with the word “the science of discourse” in order to express the position of the science of discourse in the modern world more clearly. Nonetheless, what overlaps with science of discourse is dogmatic theology that has something to do with defensive aspect. Moreover, in the next chapters, without intending to write any comparative writing and merely to prevent a holistic view, the author has described the evolution of Christian theology and Islamic scholastic theology in the historical order of the impact of modernity on them. In the first chapter, the research background is represented. Although, the author has employed library research approach, he/she has not achieved a comprehensive research in this field in spite of extensive search and due to time constraints, the available researches have been utilized. Moreover, in this chapter, the main concepts of research along with sub-concepts are discussed to clearly express the author’s intention. In the second chapter, the developments of the modern society and the corresponding consequences which influence the science of discourse and theology or religion in general are investigated. The author hopes to be able to clarify the position of the science of discourse in the modern world. In the third and fourth chapters, the evolution of science of discourse in the process of the evolution of modernity is discussed with sociological and philosophical perspectives. However, in both chapters, in order to clearly express the position of science of discourse, historical and cultural events in the modernity process as chronology and backgroundology have been employed.

The methods employed in this study mainly include descriptive-analytical and historical-social report approaches, by taking advantage of library collection. Different discussions of interest in two fields including sociology and philosophy have been surveyed as much as possible. What are related to the current subject are collected and their relationships with the current subject are defined and then used.