Geloof in die spanningsveld van tradisie en empirie : 'n kenteoretiese ondersoek na die verhouding tussen teologie en sosiologie

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The fundamental perspective of this study is that faith cannot be separated from eithertradition or empirical experience. The relationship between theology, as the criticaljustification of faith, and sociology, as the empirical study of society and religion, isdiscussed in this perspective. Chapter 1 presents an overview of tradition as a theologicalproblem. The conclusion is that the reformational sola-scriptura-confession is notantithetical to a positive evaluation of tradition, but that reformed theology has often hadproblems with really taking the historical aspect of tradition seriously.In Chapter 2 it is argued that a dialogue between theology and sociology is both necessaryand fruitful. Chapter 3 discusses the philosophy of science, in order to give a perspectiveon the foundations for dialogue. This discussion also facilitates the choice of sociologicalpartners for discussion. Weber and Berger, as sociologists who take theological themesseriously, are chosen as partners for discussion. Chapter 4 presents a critical evaluationof Weber's sociology. It is argued that his approach to religion is reductionistic, but that itposes questions that should be taken seriously. Among these the question of the influenceof the social context on tradition and the problem of routinization of tradition stand out.These problems also surface in the sociology of Berger, as Chapter 5 points out. Bergerdiffers from Weber in that he is a Christian who practices theology. Yet his perspective onreligion remains reductionistic. His view that religion is to a great extent determined by thesocial context finds itself in tension with his view that faith is a fee choice of the individual.This problem is never satisfactorily adressed in Berger's work.The final chapter attempts to give a basic perspective within which theology can bothremain true to itself and take sociology seriously. It is argued that thisperspective is foundin the viewpoint that humans are neither the passive objects of social determination, northe active constructors of society. Humans receive the empirical world as a gift, but thisreception should be understood as an activity. The conclusion is that tradition isambivalent. On the one hand it is a necessary tool for ordering experience, but on theother hand it can distort experience. Therefore there is a tension between tradition andexperience. Faith should not be tied exclusbely to either tradition or experience, but stands within the tension between the two. Theso/a-scriptura-confession expresses theconviction that faith lives within this tension through the Word of God alone.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University