The Intersection of Christian Theology and Peacebuilding

2015 ◽  
pp. 568-596
Author(s):  
Heather M. DuBois ◽  
Janna Hunter-Bowman
Keyword(s):  
Social Theory ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Theological Method ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Liberal Peace

This chapter argues that without explicit, theoretically robust, and practically grounded theological reflection, scholarship and practice tend to neglect significant dimensions of existing—and potential—peacebuilding. First, it explicates how theological method can help peacebuilders to counter positivist and secularist assumptions that often eclipse religious, spiritual, existential, psychic, and emotional experiences that are relevant to naming and healing violence. Second, it uses theological analysis to explore ways in which the Mennonite sociolinguistic community of peacebuilder John Paul Lederach contributes to social theory he developed in contradistinction to the liberal peace. Specifically, the chapter identifies eschatological influences in Lederach’s signature notions of “expansive time” and the “beckoning horizon.” Harnessing the strategic peacebuilding paradigm’s inclusion of multiple sociolinguistic communities, the chapter encourages more extensive conversation between peacebuilding and the discipline of theology.

scholarly journals Playing God or Participating in God? What Considerations Might the New Testament Bring to the Ethics of the Biotechnological Future?

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-164
Author(s):  
Grant Macaskill
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Playing God ◽  
The New Testament

The Bible is normative for all Christian theology and ethics, including responsible theological reflection on the biotechnological future. This article considers the representation of creaturehood and what might be labelled ‘deification’ within the biblical material, framing these concepts in terms of participation in providence and redemption. This participatory emphasis allows us to move past the simplistic dismissal of biotechnological progress as ‘playing God’, by highlighting ways in which the development of technology and caregiving are proper creaturely activities, but ones that must be morally aligned to the goodness of God. Framing our approximation of divine character in terms of ‘deification’ highlights its relational and soteriologically defined shape, preventing us from conceiving its attainment in any way that is loosed from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The discussion allows us to affirm the pursuit of biotechnological research, but to recognize that it is unable by itself to accomplish certain ends, and that it must be pursued in alignment with the standards of goodness by which God loves his world.

scholarly journals Engineering Desire: Biotechnological Enhancement as Theological Problem

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-228
Author(s):  
Simeon Zahl
Keyword(s):  
Moral Responsibility ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Means Of Grace ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Ethical Significance

This article argues for the dogmatic rather than just ethical significance of the biotechnological enhancement of human beings. It begins by reflecting on the close theological connections between salvation, sanctification, and affective and bodily transformation in light of the fact that affects and desires are in principle manipulable through biotechnological enhancement. It then examines the implications of this observation for questions of moral responsibility, asking whether biotechnological enhancement can be viewed as a kind of means of grace. The conclusion argues that theological reflection on the relationship between affects, soteriology and bioenhancement reveals limitations of the emphasis on embodiment in recent Christian theology.

scholarly journals Christian Theology in the Post-Modern Era

2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul F. Knitter
Keyword(s):  
Christian Theology ◽  
Theological Method ◽  
Reign Of God ◽  
The Times ◽  
It Ethics ◽  
Modern Era ◽  
The Church ◽  
Moral Convictions ◽  
The Way

Responding to postmodernity as one of the “signs of the times”, Christians will have to carry out a balancing act between commitment to their own convictions and openness to those of others. This has implication for five areas of Christian theology and praxis. In theological method, we must recognise that all our beliefs are symbols that tell us something but never everything about God, self, world. In christology, we understand and follow Christ as the Way that is open to other Ways. The Church will be seen as a community that seeks a Reign of God that will always be more than what we now know of it. Ethics will be based on the principles and practice of non-violence: full commitment to moral convictions joined with genuine respect and compassion toward the convictions of others. Such a theology will need to be rooted in a spirituality in which we are “absolutely” committed to truths that we recognise are always “relative” - a truly eschatological spirituality that is always “on the way”.

scholarly journals Uma cristologia provocada pelo pluralismo religioso. Reflexões em torno ao livro Jesus, símbolo de Deus, de Roger Haight

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (258) ◽  
pp. 293
Author(s):  
Faustino Teixeira
Keyword(s):  
Religious Pluralism ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
The Past ◽  
Catholic Faith ◽  
Religious Dialogue ◽  
Critical Investigation

O tema da teologia cristã do pluralismo religioso vem sendo objeto de muitas discussões nos últimos anos, o que manifesta a riqueza de um espaço plural que é essencial para a reflexão teológica. Ocorre que a partir da segunda metade dos anos 90 alguns destes teólogos têm sido objeto de investigação crítica da Congregação para a Doutrina da Fé (CDF). É o caso de Roger Haight, cujo livro, Jesus, símbolo de Deus (1999) foi notificado pela CDF em dezembro de 2004, e qualificado como tendo “graves erros doutrinais contra a fé divina e católica da Igreja”. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar os tópicos fundamentais do livro de Roger Haight e a sua hipótese de uma cristologia aberta para o pluralismo e o diálogo inter-religioso.Abstract: Religious pluralism, a theme of the Christian theology, has been the object of much discussion in the past years. This shows the existence of a significant plural space for debates that is essential for the theological reflection. However, since the second half of the 90s, some of these theologists have been subject to a critical investigation by the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith (CDF). This is the case of Roger Haight, whose book, Jesus, symbol of God (1999) received the CBF’s notification in December 2004, and was said to have “serious doctrinal errors against the Church’s divine and catholic faith”. The objective of this article is to introduce the basic topics of Roger Haight’s book and his hypothesis of a Christology that is open to pluralism and to the inter-religious dialogue.

scholarly journals Trinitology towards Challenges of Pluralistic Theology of Religion Systematical, Moral and Theological Reflection

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2(16)) ◽  
pp. 167-181
Author(s):  
Ignacy Bokwa
Keyword(s):  
Immanuel Kant ◽  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
Far East ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
The World ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Trinity

Nowadays pluralistic theology of religion is rightly regarded as one of the greatest threats to Christianity. It specifically concerns Christology. A threat to the Christian belief in the Trinity, which is created by pluralistic theology of religion, is seen more rarely. Many scholars consider pluralistic theology of religion as a further step of the modern fight against Christianity and the Church. The increasing spread of religions of the Far East plays a significant role. Pluralistic theology of religion refers to the basic ideas of Buddhism, trying to create a universal religion of the world. Pluralist theology of religion treats every religion of the world with affection- with the exception of Christianity. It is Christianity that is supposed to be tolerant and to adapt to other religions by means of losing its own identity. Pluralistic theology of religion relativizes the Person of Jesus Christ, undermining the uniqueness of the incarnation of God. Jesus of Nazareth was only a prominent man standing near Reality itself (God). Since Jesus Christ was not an ontological Son of God, the doctrine of the Trinity is being undermined. Representatives of pluralistic theology of religion reject the idea of a personal God, at the same time hitting in all monotheistic religions. From their point of view, God is for the human mind unattainable reality which no revelation is able to bring. Various religions are only stages of searching for the final Reality itself. Father, Son and Spirit are nothing more than a projection of human yearnings and religious pursuits. Faced with such claims, Christian theology cannot remain silent. One should be reminded of development of faith in the Triune God in the life of the Church. This is a theoretical- scientific dimension of the problem. It also has its practical and existential meaning. Although Immanuel Kant claimed that the doctrine of the Trinity has no practical importance, contemporary theological reflection presents a new aspect of this problem. Communio- theology comprehends the mystery of the Trinity as an event of constant communication in which Father gives Himself to the Son and so they create the Holy Spirit. The mystery of diversity reconciled in the unity stands at the beginning of every reality. The mystery of the Holy Trinity has its significance not only inside (life of the Church) but also outside (life of the secular, political and economic community). Nowadays the latter has a special meaning in particular. It is a theological and moral surface of the reflection, showing that one should not be afraid of multiplicity and diversity but treat them as an opportunity. In the era of new conflicts and divisions that are increasing and the renewal of the old traumas, it turns out that appeals of the representatives of pluralist theology of religion are fake and are supposed to challenge the principles of Christianity, whereas Christian theology offers modern societies interesting proposals acceptable not only for those who believe.

Divine Action is Constitutive of Theology: William Abraham, John Webster, and Theological Theology

2021 ◽  
pp. 002114002110391
Author(s):  
Fellipe do Vale
Keyword(s):  
Final Section ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Theological Method ◽  
John Webster ◽  
Divine Providence ◽  
Divine Action ◽  
Divine Agency

This article puts forward the view that divine action is constitutive of Christian theology. More precisely, it claims that what makes a theologian’s work theological is her commitment to a narrative composed by God’s actions to create, redeem, sustain and perfect creatures. It begins with a systematic summary of William Abraham’s four-volume Divine Agency and Divine Action. Two objections are then put to it, one regarding the breadth of the concept ‘action’ and another regarding its ability to facilitate a complete theological method. It then argues that these objections can be overcome when partnered with John Webster’s ‘theological theology’ approach, as it supplies the crucial concept of an ‘economy’ of divine action. A final section presents a ‘Websterian/Abrahamic’ approach, with the result that divine action is no longer relegated to discussions of special divine providence but is the defining feature of all theological work.

scholarly journals Preaching as Internal Interreligious Dialogue: A Harvard Case Study

Homiletic ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Malmström ◽  
David Schnasa Jacobsen
Keyword(s):  
Interreligious Dialogue ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Theological Method ◽  
Close Reading ◽  
Religious Traditions ◽  
Religious Other ◽  
The Relationship

This paper explores the overlapping space between an internal conception of interreligious dialogue and models of conversational preaching and homiletical theology which embrace mutual critical-correlational theological method. At the heart of the paper is a close reading of a sermon focusing on John 5:31–47—preaching much influenced by interreligious hermeneutics. The analysis shows how preaching effectively may address some fundamental principles of interreligious dialogue, for example by offering space for open-minded, respectful, and attentive listening and learning from the religious other, or by encouraging curiosity as well as deep reflection on Christian gospel in the light of gospel resonant of voices from other religious traditions. In the concluding discussion, the implications of this research for the rhetoric of conversational preaching practice are highlighted, and further homiletical-theological reflection on the relationship between preaching and interreligious dialogue is encouraged, not only because it is possible but because it is desirable for Christian preaching and homiletics in particular.

Introduction to Comparative Theology in Australia and Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-138
Author(s):  
Francis X. Clooney
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
North American ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Comparative Theology ◽  
Ritual Practice ◽  
International Conference ◽  
The North ◽  
Catholic University ◽  
Western European

Abstract Comparative theology is a form of theology, and as such, a matter of “faith seeking understanding.” Like other forms of Christian theology, it is indebted to scripture and tradition, attentive to texts, and also to images, ritual practice, piety, and experience. Like other forms of theological reflection, it also needs to be contextually nuanced, lest it be too much identified with the North American and Western European academic contexts. The growth of comparative theology in Asia and Australia over the last decade is one of the most exciting developments in the field. These essays, the majority of which were given at an international conference at the Australian Catholic University in July 2019, signal the ways in which comparative theology benefits from its clarification and adaptation in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.

The Pathos of Theology as a Pneumatological Derivative or a Poiemata of the Spirit? A Review Essay of Reinhard Hütter's Pneumatological and Ecclesiological Vision of Theology

Pneuma ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-282
Author(s):  
Steven Studebaker
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Review Essay ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Theological Method ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Church Doctrine

AbstractReinhard Hütter is a leading theologian who has made important contributions to ecclesiology, pneumatology, and Christian rationality, but his most fundamental one is to the nature of theology and theological method. What makes his work of particular interest to Pentecostals is its attempt to give theology a pneumatological and ecclesiological ground. He suggests that the pathos of theology is doctrina and core church practices; theology receives its character and content from church doctrine and practices. Although successful in respect to his ecclesiological program, his proposal does not give theology a direct pneumatological ground and pathos. Nevertheless, his notion that theology receives its pathos from church doctrine and practices can be adapted to suggest a pneumatological pathos of Christian experience and theology. The result is a proposal that the Holy Spirit conditions the pathos of Christian experience and theology, which provides a theological and explicitly a pneumatological pathos not only for Pentecostal experience and theology but also for the role of Pentecostal experience in developing a uniquely "orthopathic" ecumenical contribution to Christian theology.

The Entanglement of Christian Theology and the Coloniality of Power: The Possibilities of a Response

2018 ◽  
pp. 31-48
Author(s):  
Joseph Drexler-Dreis
Keyword(s):  
Human Person ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Theological Perspective ◽  
Christian Thought ◽  
The Way ◽  
Historical Theory

The second chapter investigates the link between Christian thought and the historical matrix decolonial thinkers have theorized as the coloniality of power. In light of the historical theory of coloniality and Christian theology’s entanglement in coloniality, this chapter opens up options for what decolonization might look like within theological reflection. This chapter begins with the task of considering the place of Christian theology within the coloniality of power. It then moves to offering possibilities for decolonizing descriptive statements of the human person, ways of knowing, and eschatological imaginations, and introduces the concept of decolonial love by engaging the way Chela Sandoval has used this term. Introducing these options leads to a threshold question for thinking from a Christian theological perspective within a decolonial project: Can members of communities that have been rendered nonpersons through various manifestations of the coloniality of power think and speak theologically on their own terms?

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