The holy archbishop Innocent (Borisov) as the founder of Russian academic fundamental theology

The article is devoted to studying the fundamental theology heritage of the Holy Archbishop Innocent (Borisov; 1800-1857), who for the first time introduced fundamental theology into the curriculum of Russian higher theological schools, thereby institutionalizing it in the domestic humanitarian space as a new special theological discipline. The first section of St. Innocent’s fundamental theology lecture course, “On Religion in General”, is considered in detail. It is noted that the main advantages of the course are the presence in it of all four sections of the fundamental theology discipline, and the author’s own epistemological theory of the knowledge of God. Among the course’s disadvantages, there are a complete absence or a superficial presentation of a number of topics traditional for fundamental theology. The importance of determining the identity and establishing the authorship of the saint’s presumed works previously published in Christian Reading is emphasized. It is concluded that St. Innocent may rightfully be recognized as the founder of Russian fundamental theology, who laid firm foundations for the further development of this theological discipline in the academic theology of Russia.