The Question of God in Question. Transformations of Systematic Theological Theory-Building Processes in the Face of Religious Indifference

Abstract

The phenomenon of religious indifference poses challenges for systematic theology. In order to grasp these, this article combines empirical, theological-historical and systematic perspectives. By this the following thesis is developed: Religious indifference presents the systematic task of demonstrating the universal significance of the question of God without an a priori deficit perspective on those who lack nothing without God. Methodologically autonomous philosophy is required to demonstrate this universal relevance, even if its function in the current discourse on religious indifference is highly controversial. However, to locate philosophy in the discourse of modernity opens up the way for certain approaches to the question of God: being aware of their own historical contingencies and thus (constructively) opening up the dispute about God.