On the value basis of educational paradigm. Review of the monograph: Shmonin D. V. The mystery of response: an introduction to rational theology. St. Petersburg: SPbPDA Publishing house; Publishing house of the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, 2021. 459 pp. (Theology: history and modernity)

The article is a review of D. V. Shmonin’s monograph “The Mystery of Response: an Introduction to Rational Theology”, published in 2021 and reflecting the next stage of the scientist’s research within the framework of the educational theology project he is developing. It is said that the main idea of the book is the rationale for the need to return to theology as the worldview of the educational paradigm, containing the core of absolute values. The rejection of it, according to the author, occurred with the beginning of the so-called Scientific Revolution of the XVII century, and the return proposed today should contribute to the development of critical thinking in society and prevent the loss of historical memory and moral degradation. The author’s interpretation of rational theology as a certain subject area is considered, which can be described in conjunction with science concepts. Thus, theology is represented in two perspectives - a self-explanatory subject area in the system of sciences and a certain space of knowledge, values and meanings over this system. A detailed review is given of D. V. Shmonin’s confirmation of his concept on historical examples of the patristic and scholastic periods, which are characterized as a single “era of dominance of Christian theological thinking”.