Theology as a Bull Session
This chapter applies recent philosophical analysis on the nature of bullshit to contemporary theology. It begins by outlining two factors that contribute to academic bullshit: careerism and theological scepticism. Next, it outlines the major types of bullshit that arise from scepticism, including intention-based and product-based bullshit. Finally, it applies this analysis to recent theology: here it is argued that Sallie McFague's view of theology as persuasive metaphor is an example of intention-based bullshit while Jürgen Moltmann's view of theology as perpetual conversation is a type of product-based bullshit. Both views signal the devolution of theology from knowledge discourse into a perpetual bull session.
Keywords: bullshit, Sallie McFague, Jürgen Moltmann, theological scepticism, theological methodology, theological epistemology
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