Comments

Journal compilation © 2010 Trustees for Roman Catholic Purposes Registered. This article was published in The Heythrop Journal in 2003 published by Blackwell Publishing - Wiley. This is the author's final post print version. The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.com

Abstract

Empirical theology is distinguished from practical theology by reference to the views of Duncan Forrester and J van der Ven. The nature and historical emergence of theological disciplines are considered and related to the social science methods found in van der Ven’s account of empirical theology. Such social science methods are congruent with those used in natural sciences and therefore in natural theology. Empirical theology may be variously located within the whole enterprise of theology. Yet, it belongs in the theological fold by virtue of its relation to natural theology and through the historical trajectory by which the subdisciplines of theology have come into being.

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Recommended Citation

Kay, W. K., (2003)'Empirical theology: a natural development?'. The Heythrop Journal, 44(2), 167-181