Analogie, Paradoxon, Dispositiv. Die Frage nach dem Objekt der Religionsphilosophie

In this essay I would like to introduce three possible models for dealing philosophically with a theological-religious object. These three models are illustrated by three concepts, namely, analogy, paradox and dispositive. However, the three models also correspond to approaches of three disciplines, namely natural theology, philosophy of religion and political theology. What is usually called «philosophy of religion» is in fact stricto sensu only a historically determined way of philosophically exploring transcendence. But this particular way has a history a parte ante, and now also a history a parte post. The three concepts and the three approaches thus correspond to three stages in time or three historical phases of what can be called «philosophy of religion» only broadly, but not in the strict sense.