Dogma, Identität und soziale Existenz: Kritische Reflexionen über die soziale Funktion der christlichen Dogmatik in der Aufrechterhaltung von Gruppenidentität

Abstract

The paper considers the cultural and sociological pressures that lead to the generation of theological formulations as a means of identifying social groups, requiring to be distinguished from other such groups by theological means. Without in any way calling into question the legitimacy of doctrinal formulations as an intellectually defensible means of self-definition, it is argued that it is unrealistic to deal with the emergence and development of doctrine without considering its social functions. A study of the development of doctrine at critical junctures within church history reinforces the importance of considering this aspect of doctrine, and enables a helpful and fruitful engagement with otherwise puzzling phenomena – such as the manner in which, in recent ecumenical debates, doctrines once held to be the cause of confessional divergence can still be maintained as „true“, while no longer entailing division.