Theology of communication

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Tom Kleffmann
• Subject Area: Protestant Theology
• Term: from 2016 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 319030660

Theology of communicationA systematic theology tries to develop an outline of the Christian understanding of the world, humankind and god in its inner, systematic relation. Traditionally, we differentiate between two types of approaches. On the one hand, the outline which presents the systematic concept (Grundriss). On the other hand, the explanation of concept (Dogmatik) which presents the exegetic, theological-historical and current systematic discussions as well as the inclusion of relevant non-theological issues, such as philosophical and scientific issues. In 2013, I presented an outline of systematic theology ('Grundriß der Systematischen Theologie') which was published by Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen (275 pages). It is not a Introduction, but a thoroughly examined concept of the Christian claim of truth as a whole. I plan to enhance this concept to a veritable systematic theology. My concept claims to philosophical comprehensibly reconstruct the basic relation of Christian understanding of god, the world and humankind, including the biblical discourse of revelation. It combines approaches of the German idealism regarding the interpretation of Christianity with the approach of the Lutheran concept of God regarding the theology of the cross, and forms a theology of communication which is organised by the concept of life. Page 8 to 21 of the outline inform about the basic relation (the main idea). In short, the relevance of this project lies in the fact that in german speaking area no protestant systematic or dogmatic theology has been published for 15-20 years (with the exception of K. Stock). Two emphases are intended for the enhancing of the concept: One emphasis is put on the correction and addition of certain topics. First of all, the concept of the revelation has to be further clarified. Second, the concept of sin has to be specified (especially the term of self-mediation of identity). Third, the understanding of the world as a creation of god needs to be updated in terms of a consequent evolutionary understanding of reality. And finally, an analysis of the crisis of Christianity in Europe has to be completed with the already elaborated means of the theology of history. This analysis can reason the christian power of speech in a secular world. The other emphasis deals with the theological encyclopaedic elaboration especially in the field of Christology, ecclesiology (not least regarding the question of ecumenism) and the foundation of Christian ethics.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants