From the Sacristy to the Public Square The Public Character of Theology

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-69
Author(s):  
Júlio Paulo Tavares Zabatiero

Abstract This article is a study of the public role of Christian theology in contemporary democratic societies. It focuses on the role of theologians as intellectuals in the public square, as defenders of values like justice, democracy and peace. After a brief reflection on Brazilian experiences of the presence of Christians in public debates, it discusses the role of intellectuals such as Habermas, Bourdieu, Said, Bauman and others.

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (01) ◽  
pp. E
Author(s):  
Emma Weitkamp

Reflecting on the public role of academics, this issue of JCOM includes a set of commentaries exploring public intellectuals and intellectualism. The commentaries explore the role of academics in public debates, both as bringers of facts and passion. These pieces, together with past commentaries and letters to JCOM raise interesting questions about the role of academics in public debates that are, perhaps not those usually trodden in the academic literature.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qeko Jere

Corruption, which is a persistent feature in human societies throughout time and space, affects not only the administration of the state but also every societal organ including the church. The ‘virus of corruption’ has penetrated into functioning systems of the various stakeholders both locally and globally. Various approaches have been used in trying to curb corruption at different levels from a secular perspective, but with little progress as the vice eminently still exists in the society. To the contrary and from a theological perspective, the long-lasting solutions in curbing corruption are realised through engaging the main root cause of the problem, which in this case is the heart of man. Theologically, kenōsis as a theoretical framework and solution goes beyond the gist of secular approaches as it addresses issues of the hearts of men which in turn produces reformed systems. In this article, I look into kenōsis of the Synod operational system in relation to imitating the incarnate work of Christ. The article assesses the Synod anti-corruption initiatives from a kenōsis perspective and then identifies and proposes the effective steps to improve and strengthen the Synod’s kenotic actions in Public Square. The CCAP Livingstonia Synod assessment process is geared to show how far kenotic the church must go in emulating and confronting systems as a way of fulfilling the demands of incarnation and works of Christ. This highlights the critical areas that add value in the Synod’s public engagement in anti-corruption.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This is an interdisciplinary article that focuses on systematic, church history, public theology and social development. The article assesses the public role of the church in anti-corruption and provides a paradigm shift in the fight against corruption from secular to theological based approaches.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedicta Evie ◽  
Susy Yunia R. Sanie

Women as assets of Indonesia's human resources have a crucial role in disaster management. This research is descriptive using a qualitative approach that photograph the adjustment of women's activities based on their role in the current Covid disaster. The research findings shows the  informant’s perception that Covid-19 is a disaster, and they are worried, so they try to prevent themselves and their family members from being infected by implementing health protocols. They also provide nutritious food and vitamins as well as a variety of food/drink ingredients that are believed to ward off Covid. Increasing domestic role activities are child care and education. Meanwhile, the public role of economy has undergone adjustments, such as working from home, losing customers or jobs. To be able to survive, adjustments to household expenditure patterns were carried out, namely: increasing the cost of kitchen expenditures, and increase in electricity costs and telephone pulses as the implication of all family members are WFH/SFH online. Reduced expenses: spending on clothes / shoes / bags, cosmetics, and recreation. The social role of the public in this Covid situation is to participate in distributing food to the poor.


Author(s):  
Ruth Braunstein

Chapter 4 demonstrates that Interfaith and the Patriots developed different ways of enacting active citizenship in the course of their work together, and specifically their efforts to put their faith in action. Although both groups asserted that there was a public role for religion in diverse and pluralistic democratic societies, they differed in their understandings of how this should work in practice. Interfaith’s efforts to put their faith in action were driven primarily by concerns about religious inclusion, while the Patriots were driven primarily by concerns about religious liberty. Participants in the groups thus emphasized subtly different religious values, developed different ways of engaging with religious others, and engaged in different kinds of religious (and civil religious) practices. The chapter concludes by tracing the groups’ choices about how to put their faith in action to differences in their democratic imaginaries—their ways of understanding how democracy works and the proper role of active citizens in it.


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