Encyclopedia of sacred theology - pagina 246

222

THE INFLUENCE OF PALINGENESIS

§ 55.

[Div. II

He can be known, while others dispute it. Suppose it were a question whether there are plants, should we be able So long as the existence to speak of a botanical science? that

of the object of a science remains uncertain, inquiry

way and

may

seek, but one

one may Science with a proper object, and a cannot investigate. method derived from that object, is still wanting. Hence in no case can a complex of sciences be allowed to form an take place

sound, feel his

;

independent faculty, on the ground of its organic relation to life. As an escape from this dilemma an attempt has been made to substitute another object for this science, by placing the knowledge of Religion at its disposal instead of the knowl-

From now on it is to be called the Science of existence of religion can in no case be denied. The Religion. In religion we have to do with a notable phenomenon that has been observed at all times and among many nations. This phenomenon may be investigated and thus theological edo-e of Grod.

science be revivified.

standing. the

As

This, however, rests

a subjective

phenomena

of

man's

phenomenon

upon

a misunder-

religion

spiritual existence,

and

is

one of

as such it

belongs to the Philological faculty, and more appropriately And as no one would think it to history and philosophy.

proper to found a separate faculty for sesthetics or ethics, it is equally unreasonable to open a faculty for the religious We do not deny life in man (or at least in many men).

may be a very earknown of God in man

that from this point of view also there

what may and to the study of religion or of the science of religion, to annex another study, which seeks after God, feels after Him that it may find Him, tries to prove His But existence and to establish knowledge concerning Him. he who ignores the facts of the fall and palingenesis, must always reckon with the denial of God by so many thou-

nest desire to learn

and

in nature

be

;

which reason he can never attain unto a positive knowledge, nor ever produce anything that falls outside of sands, for

the scope of Philosophy.

From

this naturalistic point of

view the five faculties must be reduced to four. The faculty of Theology, Avhose supposed object must still be sought, falls

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