The problem of applying the sociocultural approach in modern theology
The article examines the problem of applying the socio-cultural approach in theology. This problem until now has not been the subject of consideration, since it was assumed, that there is nothing in common between the religious studies and the theological approach: the first one relies on positivist methods of analysis, while the second one relies on the religiosity. However, in the process of researching this topic, it was found, that there are not only differences, but also similarities between religious studies and theological research strategies. Applying comparative-historical, hermeneutical and phenomenological methods, we have come to the following results. It can be stated, that the sociocultural approach is in high demand not only in religious studies, but also in modern theology. This is largely due to the adaptation of personalism and phenomenology by theologians and church authors. In other words, it is not so much historicism itself that is perceived, but rather the sociocultural method, which implies the uniqueness of a particular culture, the role and significance of moral values and a special interest in personalistic history. Thus, the use of the sociocultural method in the study of church-historical events significantly improved the theological method (or according to the Lonergan’s transcendental method), allowed theologians to consider the problem of the relationship between man and God in a broader perspective, and also to carry out a partial synthesis of theology and the achievements of modern historical science.