Succisa Virescit, or Why Europe Needs Theology Today

Ks. Jerzy SZYMIK

Katedra Teologii Dogmatycznej i Duchowości, Wydział Teologiczny, Uniwersytet Śląski, ul. Bankowa 12, 40-007 Katowice, Poland , Poland

Abstract

Theology, the discipline which broadens the cognitive capacity of human reason by introducing the perspective of faith, turns out an invaluable instrument with which to diagnose the condition of the modern world and provide an axiological evaluation of the current civilizational processes. The task of the theological judgment is to 'point out to the fallacy,' which nevertheless involves drawing constructive conclusions. From the theological perspective, atheism and agnosticism, ethical relativism, epistemological skepticism, and mistaken understanding of freedom, as well as the distortion of the foundations and the very idea of the democratic state, are among the dark signs of the times discernible in Europe today and demanding a Christian response. Such a response may only be fruitful if it is based on the awareness of the reality of sin and if it consists in adopting both personal and social responsibility for the evil in the world, as well as in reestablishing the absolute primacy of God over human affairs. The only possible source of hope lies in genuine conversion and a humble search for God, conceived of as a permanent lifestyle, mindset and conduct, involving both personal and social lives and manifested in fields such as artistic creativity, the pursuit of science, and the political sphere. In order to save her cultural and spiritual heritage, postmodern Europe apparently needs the bitter words of the Gospel, whose power, despite the fact that they may hurt human pride, is ultimately life-giving.

Translated by Dorota Chabrajska

Keywords:

God, culture, Europe, theology, conversion, truth, faith, freedom, democracy, godliness, profanity, atheism, agnosticism