Anachronism and Reductionism in the Application of Religious Studies Concepts

Abstract

UDK
28-1
28-12
141.336

Through the present study, we seek to examine several concepts by which various theological and philosophical traditions have attempted to articulate and explain the relationship between God, the world, and the human being. These concepts include pan(en)theism, monism, gnosticism, and theosophy. Although these terms are frequently employed in the discourse of Bosnia and Herzegovina, their usage is often generalized, loose, and insufficiently precise. It is therefore important to assess the extent to which their contemporary usage corresponds to their original meanings and the historical-philosophical concepts from which they emerged. Drawing primarily on an analysis of primary and secondary sources in theology, the philosophy of religion, and Sufi thought - thus adopting an interdisciplinary approach - this paper seeks to identify the essential characteristics of these concepts and to present the ways in which they have been employed throughout history. Furthermore, through terminological analysis, the study examines the use and transformation of these concepts across different intellectual traditions and contexts, while its comparative approach enables a clearer understanding of their conceptual distinctions and the implications of their application in diverse discourses. In this way, the paper also demonstrates its relevance to the academic study of religion. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to provide a critical examination of the aforementioned concepts, with particular attention to their uncritical application in the interpretation of Sufi thought, especially in interpretation of the teachings of Ibn ʿArabī.