The Paradoxical Vision: A Public Theology for the Twenty-First Century. Robert Benne

Several decades ago David Tracy wrote that theologians speak to three publics: the academy, the church, and society. Since then many theologians have exhibited, in Tracy's words, “that drive to publicness which constitutes all good theological discourse[,] … a drive from and to those three publics.”1 Our four roundtable authors discuss how and why theologians engage the public sphere in the twenty-first century. In arguing for the necessity of such engagement, they also draw attention to the promise and perils of doing public theology today.

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Review Article: Public Theology for the Twenty-First Century

International Journal of Public Theology ◽

10.1163/156973209x416025 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 239-244

Author(s):

Linda Hogan

Keyword(s):

Review Article ◽

First Century ◽

Public Theology ◽

Current Interest ◽

Valuable Resource ◽

Political Climate ◽

Twenty First Century

AbstractDuncan Forrester is a forefather of the current interest in and debate on public theology. The volume under review here bears witness to the significance of his thought and the range of scholars who are engaged with his work. The contributors to the volume critically examine the legacy of modernity and the direction of future public theology in relation to a variety of specific social and political circumstances. While the passage of time may require a new edition responding to the changing socio-political climate, this volume will remain a valuable resource for all those engaged in public theology.

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Liberation Theologies of the Twentieth Century: Insights for Integral Development of Africa in the Twenty-First Century

E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies ◽

10.38159/erats.2021711 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Samuel O. Okanlawon

Keyword(s):

Twentieth Century ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

First Century ◽

Public Theology ◽

Historical Method ◽

Integral Development ◽

Twenty First Century ◽

And Gender ◽

Role Of Religion

Development ideas and programmes in Africa generally overlook the role of religion. But contrary to this attitude, religion, in this context, Christianity, can be a catalyst to the development of Africa in the twenty-first century. The theological discourse of the twentieth century propelled progressive socio-economic and political developments. Thus, the paper examines the liberation theologies of the twentieth century and contextualizes the lessons learned from them for development in Africa and as an exemplar exercise in public theology. This is done using the historical method of research within the ambit of the theory of theological reflection. The liberation theologies affirmed the biblical ethos of liberation for all people under God with a focus on poverty, racism, and gender inequality. They became the platform for galvanizing efforts towards humanization and the betterment of people’s lives. Their propositions can be integrated into thinking and quest for development in Africa. Keywords: Theology, Liberation, Liberation Theologies, Development, Feminist, Africa, Black, Public Theology.

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Babel or Pentecost? Faith, Difference and Freedom in the Twenty-First Century: The Challenge for Public Theology

International Journal of Public Theology ◽

10.1163/156973207x231671 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 364-381

Author(s):

Chris Shannahan

Keyword(s):

Inner City ◽

Identity Politics ◽

First Century ◽

Public Theology ◽

Contemporary Society ◽

Communal Life ◽

Twenty First Century

AbstractThis article emerges from many years work in diverse inner city communities. It suggests that urban Britain will be understood properly, and public theology engaged fully with contemporary society, by seriously exploring the normative and contested nature of difference. The article critiques the view that diversity poses a threat to communal life and exposes current examples of essentialist identity politics. It argues that identities premised on raciology are unsustainable, and this poses a challenge to which people of faith should respond with urgency. Thus, the article asserts that critical patterns of multiculturalism provide the basis for inclusive patterns of faith and identity, and that existing public theologies still need to engage in sufficient depth with the fluidity of identity in twenty-first century Britain. At heart, the article offers the new hermeneutical principle of liberative difference as having the capacity to reinvigorate patterns of faith and resource an inclusive liberative struggle in urban societies.

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