Dr Ruth Gornandt

Biography:

I am particularly interested in the reception of ideas and theological approaches, particularly from the medieval period, in later times and different contexts. For my doctoral thesis I studied the rejection of Aristotelian-medieval metaphysics in Protestant theologians of the 19th and 20th centuries (supervisor: J. Zachhuber, advisor: Notger Slenczka, Berlin). During that time, I also worked as a lecturer to Lutheran monasteries for which I studied the transformation of medieval monastic life and monastic theology during and after the Reformation.

From 2019 to 2022 I was a Marie Curie fellow. I investigated the Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR), its possible impact on theology and the potential of traditional theological approaches to process it. The traditions I focused on were Scholastic and Reformation theology as well as Armenian Orthodox theology because of the latter’s unusual combination of rational and mystical theology. Currently I am studying the differences of language and hermeneutics in CSR and theology and CSR’s importance for the theological understanding of natural belief and natural theology.

Furthermore, I am investigating the impact of Western medieval theology on Armenian Orthodox theology in the Late Middle Ages, particularly Gregory of Tatev and his monumental Book of Questions. In this work, Gregory of Tatev combines Greek and Hellenistic philosophy, Greek patristics, the natural sciences of his time, and particularly Latin medieval theology. He relates an analytical and strictly logical style with the mystical elements of his tradition. His approach provides productive perspectives for the integration of science into theology today.

Faculty Research Area(s):

Historical and Systematic Theology, Philosophical Theology, Science and Religion

Research Interests:

Armenian Orthodox theology of the Late Middle Ages and its encounter with Scholastic theology
Medieval theology and its mystical inheritance (esp. Dionysius Areopagita)
Theology and the Cognitive Science of Religion
Natural belief and natural theology
Theology of the Reformation, particularly Lutheran monasticism

External Engagement:

I regularly offer seminars for Lutheran monasteries to educate their inhabitants on subjects needed for guided tours through their buildings (their history, Lutheran monasticism, history of theology, art history, liturgy). I also provided extracurricular learning in some monasteries for school classes.

Links:

https://twitter.com/RuthGornandt

https://audietvide.wordpre I regularly offer seminars for Lutheran monasteries to educate their inhabitants on subjects needed for guided tours through their buildings (their history, Lutheran monasticism, history of theology, art history, liturgy). I also provided extracurricular learning in some monasteries for school classes.

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