The Functions of Reason and its Roles in Religious Knowledge

The role of reason in religious knowledge is one of the branches of the old discourse of reason and revelation having always been the focal point of religious thinkers. The history of theology can be analyzed and interpreted in the light of the role of reason in religious knowledge. Hence, the main difference between theological schools refers to the perspective of these schools on the above mentioned issue. The present article suggests that reason has at least five significant functions, i.e., theoretical, practical, instrumental, deductive, and defensive ones. The role of reason in religious knowledge can also be devided at least into eight functions i.e. standard, key, deduction, defense, instrument, complementation, independent interaction, and dependent interaction. Thus the functions and roles of reason are very much beyond what has been mentioned up to now.