Encyclopedia of sacred theology - pagina 265

Chap.

OF THE CONCEPTION OF THEOLOGY

I]

241

derived exclusively from Logica by which to define the conception of Theology, and thus it was impossible to regain the theological conception of this science.

This does by no

means imply that repristination of the former conception would suffice. The very contrary will appear from our further exposition.

no progress

is

All we intend to say,

possible, unless

is

that here also

we continue our work along

the line of those threads that were spun for us in the past.

And in looking back upon this past we find that in the conception of Theology a characteristic theological modality exhibits itself almost constantly; b}^ which we mean that the peculiar character of Theology has exerted an influence upon the forming of this conception. How far this

also

shown in the following secbut in order to place the significance of those sections

influence extended can only be tions

;

in the desired light, it

was specially necessary

to refer to

this point. § 58.

He who and

is

The Idea of Theology

called to the fifth story of a large building,

which without any effort on his part him in a moment where he wants to be, will not climb the hundred or more steps on foot. Applied to our knowledge, this implies that common, slow investigation, finds an elevator,

brings

with

inductions and deductions,

is merely the stairs with hundred steps by which we climb the heights of knowledge, while the attainment of knowledge is ever the aim in view. From which it follows that if that same height of knowledge can be reached b}^ a shorter or less laborious way, the former stairs become worthless. This is true horiits

its

zontally as well as vertically. to all the corners of Europe,

Since

now

there are railways

no one travels any longer by

Thougli tliere may be a peculiar pleasure attached to that slow rate of progress, or rather to creeping along the Avay of knowledge, it is, nevertheless, somewhat stage-coach.

morbid to abandon for the sake of

much higher

this

lower pleasure

delight of the knowledge of the truth.

tlie

Lessing's

proverb has led us astray on this point, and therefore the brief

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