Dr. Kusukawa writes in her book that instead of viewing the
sixteenth century from the paradigm
of "science vs. religion." We should
view this from the paradigm of
Natural Philosophy and Lutheran Theology.
She claims that Melancthon transformed
the teaching of Natural Philosophy from
a scholastic framework to a Lutheran framework.
Melanchthon viewed Natural Philosophy as part of
the "Law." Luther's focus was on the Gospel
hence his absence of Natural Philosophy. She is
saying that Luther and Melancthon were a team, one
could not stand without the other. Dr. Kusukawa
is saying that while Natural Philosphy is not an
inherent part of Lutheran theology, certain circumstances
forced Melancthon in a particular direction. Melancthon
was affected by the anarchy of the Peasants' Revolt and
sought to develop an idea of civil order in society. Natural Philosophy
provided the framework for social order. I guess Natural Philosophy
not only applied to social order but the physical world. Also Lutheran
emphasis of spirituality IN the physical world as opposed the Zwinglian/
Calvinist view of spirituality APART from the physical world encouraged
"scientific" endeavors. Lutheran theology encouraged exploration
of nature because in nature one could see the visible providence of
God. I tended to think of providence as something which we see looking
back in hindsight. In other words a time bound thing. But I guess
Melancthon used providence in a much wider sense. What we would
today call laws of science, was what Melancthon would call "providence."
In other words he would use "providence" to natural phenomenon of
natural laws for events in the present as well as events in the past.
# posted by GuyTak @ 10:54 PM
