Final answer:
The goal of scholastic theology was to harmonize Christian faith with reason, using philosophy to articulate a logical system of thought that supported Christian doctrine and proved the existence of God.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Goal of Scholastic Theology
The goal of scholastic theology was to understand and articulate the Christian faith through the rigorous use of reason and the study of philosophy. Scholastics like Thomas Aquinas and Anselm sought to reconcile the teachings of Christianity with the philosophical traditions of the ancient Greeks and Romans, such as Aristotle and Plato.
This intellectual tradition emphasized that reason and faith were not at odds, but rather worked together to lead to a deeper understanding of divine truths.
By engaging in philosophical discourse informed by empirical and rational thinking, scholastic theologians aimed to create a coherent and logical system of thought that upheld the tenets of Christian doctrine, while also responding to the questions and concerns raised by other intellectual traditions, including Islamic and Jewish philosophy.
Scholastics like Aquinas put forth arguments, such as the five ways, to philosophically prove the existence of God, further asserting that Christian theology could withstand the scrutiny of logical analysis and could incorporate insights from various philosophical schools.
Overall, scholastic theology was an effort to understand the world and our place in it, as a reflection of the divine order, using all available intellectual tools to form a more complete picture of reality as congruent with Christian teachings.