History as 'Ancilla Theologiae?': Some Reflections

Summer Consortium

Author and historian Dr. Brad S. Gregory discussed history as the “handmaiden of theology.” Gregory argued that while avoiding a Catholic confessional history, one might still serve a Catholic vision of history and reach those in academia who may be antagonistic toward Catholicism.

“Because people are not likely to change their basic commitments unless there is something the matter with their own, we have to trouble the waters,” he said. “We have to argue on the basis of evidence, to use reason in service to the Faith, without—if we want to have a chance of reaching those who do not share our views—presupposing anything that is substantively part of the Faith.”