TIMES OF SYNODALITY: REMARKS ON THEOLOGICAL EPISTEMOLOGY IN INTERCULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The essay recalls the loci theologici doctrine of Melchior Cano and opens it up for a theological epistemology in the service of ecclesiogenesis in times of synodality. In the modern age, Cano has opened up paths for a modern dogmatics by including history as locus alienus. In the present, the doctrine of the loci theologici contributes to the development of a topical dialectic that gives space to post-conciliar local church and contextual theological developments. It opens the way for a theological epistemology of a world church in which the different cultural contexts enter into a lively dialogue about the struggle for theological truth. From the perspective of a German theologian, it may then be possible to identify the basic elements of a form of epistemology, which is aware of the criticism of Eurocentric theological figures of thought of the past and takes decolonial challenges into account.

KEYWORDS: Melchor Cano. Loci theologi. Vatican II. Interculturality. Synodality.