Theology

This paper outlines those aspects of the epistemology and the metaphysics of Karl Popper that appear applicable to the evaluation of religious knowledge. Their relevance is illustrated by reference to two specific topics: the existence of God and St Anselm’s doctrine of atonement. It is proposed that Popper’s epistemology and metaphysics offer a satisfactory alternative to the philosophy of reductive materialism prevalent in Western society.

Recent drops in the number of full-time theology and religious studies students in the UK raise concerns for all universities with departments of theology and religion. Without denying the importance of efforts to increase those full-time numbers, this article argues that greater attention be paid to possibilities of expanding part-time theological education, and not only in the context of formal ministerial training. At a time when greater religious literacy is needed, and buoyed by evidence of what older learners want from their studies – personal growth rather than just better employment prospects – expansion of part-time study opportunities may prove an additional, and important, initiative required by theology and religion departments. In this way, they would not only improve their own financial positions but they would also make an even greater contribution to their local communities and to individual and social well-being. A commitment would be needed, however, from universities themselves to recognize this important ‘public good’.

In a world of fake news and post-truth, where objective facts are less influential in shaping truth than opinions said with confidence and authority, where is God’s truth? Where is the Good News of Jesus Christ amidst all the fake news? This is discussed under three areas: God’s reality check (the truth of his word); our reality check (to personally examine ourselves and our behaviours to remain in God’s truth); and arguing God’s reality check (in a different form of apologetics based on conviction of belief).

Understanding homophobia as a discursively constituted antipathy, this article argues that the culture of the Catholic Church – as constituted through the Roman magisterium – can be understood as fundamentally homophobic, and in its teaching not just on homosexuality, but also on contraception and priestly celibacy. Moreover, in this regard, the article argues for a hermeneutic of continuity from the pontificate of John Paul II to that of Pope Francis – the latter’s ambivalence repeating the ‘scrambling’ of speech that is typical of homophobic discourse.

Psalm 1 poses a challenge for the Christian preacher regarding the grim judgement passed on the wicked. This study examines how thinking types and feeling types among preachers approach the challenge in distinctive ways.