Discussions about theology as a scientific speciality in Russia
- Authors
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Ilshat A. Mukhametzaripov
Author
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- Keywords:
- theology, religious studies, academic specialty, specialty passport, confessional approach, theologydiscourse, Russian Federation
- Abstract
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The article examines the status of theology as a scientific specialty in the Russian Federation in the context of the discussion that unfolded in the 2000s–2020s in connection with the orders of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation on the approval of the nomenclature of specialties, first in one area 26.00.01 “Theology”, then in three areas at once: 5.11.1 “Theoretical Theology”, 5.11.2 “Historical Theology”, 5.11.3 “Practical Theology”. The training of theologians in religious educational institutions in modern Russia began in 1992, but discourse on the scientific nature of theology gradually expanded beyond religious associations and became a subject of discussion among representatives of the scientific and religious communities. At the center of the controversy are questions about whether theology can be considered a science, how it relates to religious studies, and what constitutes its confessional nature. The article presents the positions of a number of researchers and religious figures (Metropolitan Illarion, S.S. Khoruzhy, K.M. Antonov, P.B. Mikhailov, V.S. Nikolsky, K.O. Polskov and others). Most authors agree that theology is a rational understanding of religious tradition “from within” based on doctrinal norms and sacred texts, while religious studies studies religion “from the outside”. In this regard, special attention is paid to a comparative analysis of the current passports of scientific specialties. The author identifies three key features of the current passports that may require revision: 1) the indication of only four religious movements (Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism, Protestantism), without mentioning Buddhism, Catholicism and other traditions, which are already mentioned in the Federal Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations” (1997); 2) duplication of several subject areas with history, law, sociology, pedagogy, and cultural studies; 3) “dilution” of the unique subject of theology. A possible solution is the return to the previously existing specialty passport 26.00.01 “Theology” (2015) in its original version, with some adjustments in line with the current specialty passport 5.11.1 “Theoretical Theology”, thereby clearly limiting the subject of theology to issues of doctrine and religious worldview.
- Author Biography
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- 2026-11-02
- Issue
- No. 2 (2026)
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- Philosophy
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