Once you have read this article, thoughtfully consider what author writes, "To study theology well require not faith but empathy

Philosophy Discussion Question

The author claims that the capacity to share and understand other people’s feelings surpasses religious orientation in theology studies (Burton, 2017). I agree with the author's argument about the value of empathy in theology studies. It was initially meant to train clergymen to spread the gospel but is now a basic art that explains humanity. People from all religious and cultural diversities can study theology to interpret religious founders’ mindsets. It enables one to develop an analytical mind to understand original Greek and Hebrew bible ideas. It can transform one into either clergyman or atheist depending on mindset.

Studying theology from an empathy point of view enables one to disregard the ancient classification of theology as sciences because it cannot be tested practically. A good theologian should be a linguist, philosopher, historian, a skillful interpreter of modern and ancient writeups. The once abundant theology education reserved for clergymen is now rare but open to people from all religious spectrum. Princeton, Yale, and Harvard universities formerly founded to train religious leaders have now broadened their mission.

Empathy enables one to theologically interpret human mindset just like history and comparative religion that explain world events. Discriminatory remarks, for instance, those of “the 2006 supreme court decision and the US States barring theology scholarship fundings discourages theological studies. French Monk views and people’s reactions to his views paint a picture of people’s perception of God and teach theologians the basis of religion. Indeed, I also believe that theology requires empathy to study as opposed to the alleged faith.