Positive Theology
Positive Theology
A term referring to doctrines alleged to be grounded upon a “positive” revelation and not upon the alleged “negative” conclusions of liberal and rationalistic speculations. The term was used to characterize Scriptural theologies from the freer deistic and rationalistic expositions of doctrines, also, it was used to oppose the conclusions of the so-called “higher critics” of the New and Old Testaments. The term has still another meaninga theology is said to be positive if it is “constructive”, by which is meant that it is apologetic of the spirit, if not the letter, of Protestant faith. In the latter sense positive theology is said to be distinguished from a philosophical theology. — V.F.