Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 - Shedd - IV - Chapter 3 (Nature and Definition of Theological Science) continued

Required readingDogmatic Theology Vol 1 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 3 (Nature and Definition of Theological Science) by reading up to the paragraph beginning with: '2. A second characteristic of theology is, that it is positive science in contradistinction to negative knowledge.'

My summary

Today Shedd continues defining the nature of theology and asserts that it is absolute science, in contradistinction to relative knowledge.

Most of the reading is concerned to proved that physical science is relative knowledge.  He gives three reasons in particular why it is so:

(i) it is to a great extent empirical or experimental;

(ii) the judgments of the senses are relative and variable, from the nature of the sensuous organs themselves;

(iii) all the phenomena have not been seen.

What grabbed me

Some great quotes today.  

Like this one: 'There is no science so rightly entitled to be denominated absolute, and metaphysically certain as theology. It is the assertion of materialistic schools in every age, that the science of matter and physical nature alone is certain, and that the science of mind and of God is not science in the strict sense. But the fact is exactly the contrary; and this because of the nature of the objects in each province. "That knowledge," says Milton (Reason of Church Government, II.), "that rests in the contemplation of natural causes and dimensions, must needs be a lower wisdom as the object is low." It is clear that no science can be any more a priori and necessary than its subject-matter. If an edifice rests upon the solid ground, it must be stationary; if it rests upon the waves, it must fluctuate. An a priori science like geometry retracts no positions, and is immutable, because its data are mental axioms and the logical conclusions from them. An a posteriori science like geology is continually altering its positions, because it derives its data from the notices of the senses, and new notices show that old deductions were errors. Whether, therefore, the science of physical nature and matter is as necessary and immutable as the science of God and the human mind, will depend upon whether physical nature and matter are as necessary and immutable, in their substance and properties, as God and the rational soul of man.'

Theology alone does not change.  Creation certainly does.

Next week's reading

Conclude Chapter 3 (Nature and Definition of Theological Science).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.