The Use of Experimental Sciences by Theology

Giuseppe Tanzella-Nitti’s Contributions in the Context of Fundamental Theology

Abstract

Revelation is explored by each human generation with the cognitive instruments of its time. The Church as a whole understands new aspects of the revealed Word, transmitted since the apostolic age. Theology plays a major role in this task. Using human reason, it attempts to deepen and clarify the meaning of Revelation. One of the novelties of the last century has been the incorporation of the natural sciences into theological work. This fact constitutes an extension of the use of reason in the reflection on creation, from the perspective of biblical Revelation.This paper will analyze the way in which Giuseppe Tanzella-Nitti considers the use of the natural sciences in the task of theology. For this purpose, two sources will be reviewed. First, the Dizionario Interdisciplinare di Scienza e Fede. The method is sought there as Tanzella-Nitti, in the great framework of the dialogue “science and religion”, introduces scientific contents and methods in theology. Secondly, the proposal of his Theology of Revelation in Scientific Context, is analyzed. It is a question of individualizing the way in which he includes scientific themes in the program of a theological reflection on Revelation.