The importance of hermeneutics in theological education

Georges Florovsky and Joseph Ratzinger on soteriological questions

Περίληψη

Abstract

Hermeneutic in theological education has been for long time a neglected area. In this article, the importance of the hermeneutical discourse in theological education is exemplarily examined with two represents of the western and eastern tradition: George Florovsky and Joseph Ratzinger. Two hermeneutical approaches are discussed: the philosophic system based on extrinsic principles versus the neo-patristic synthesis based on intrinsic theological principles, as it was elaborated by Florovsky. The comparative study on Ratzinger and Florovsky revealed that both agreed in their hermeneutical approach based on common intrinsic theological principles. At the end the topic is made more concrete by new and old developments in the field of the doctrine of atonement.