DESCRIPTION:

This doctoral seminar (open to max. five advanced Master's level students) is designed to introduce students to main themes and developments in contemporary theology of religions, the fairly new theological/missiological discipline which seeks to study the relationship of Christian faith to other faiths. After a brief introduction of biblical and historical perspectives, most important theological proposals will be studied, paying close attention to pluralisms of various sorts. An Evangelical theology of religions will be constructed in critical dialogue with other views.

The existence of other religions (plurality of religions) and an ideology of pluralism pose the biggest challenge to Christian theology and faith in the new millennium. It is mandatory that Christian theologians, missiologists, and ministers think theologically about the identity and truth claims of Christianity and their implications to theology, mission, and pastoral ministry.

The class will meet once a week for three hours of student presentations and discussions.

Knitter, P. Introducing Theologies of Religions. Orbis, 2002.

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to Theology of Religions. Biblical, Historical, and Contemporary Perspectives. InterVarsity Press, 2003.

______. The Trinity and Religious Pluralism: The Role of the Doctrine of the Trinity in Christian Theology of Religions. Ashgate, forthcoming, 2004 (photocopy available in the bookstore).

Netland, H. Encountering Religious Pluralism: The Challenge to Christian Faith and Mission. InterVarsity Press, 2001.

Select two (by the same author):

Heim, M. S. Salvations: Truth and Difference in Religions. Orbis, 1995.

______. The Depth of the Riches: A Trinitarian Theology of Religious Ends. Eerdmans, 2001.

Hick, J. An Interpretation of Religion. Yale University Press, 1989.

______. The Metaphor of God Incarnate: Christology in a Pluralistic Age. Westminster John Knox, 1993.

Knitter, P. Jesus and Other Names: Christian Mission and Global Responsibility. Orbis , 1996

______. One Earth, Many Religions: Multifaith Dialogue & Global Responsibility. Orbis, 1995.

Panikkar, R, The Trinity and Religious Experience of Man. Orbis, 1973.

______. The Cosmotheandric Experience: Emerging Religious Consciousness. Orbis, 1993.

Select two:

Cordua, W. Tapestry of Faiths: The Common Threads Between Christianity & World Religions. InterVarsity Press, 2002

McDermott, G. R. Can Evangelicals Learn from World Religions? InterVarsity Press, 2001.

Ramachandra, V. The Recovery of Mission: Beyond the Pluralist Paradigm. Paternoster, 1996

Pinnock, C. A Wideness in God's Mercy. Zondervan, 1992.

Stackhouse, J., ed. No Other Gods before Me? Evangelicals and the Challenge of World Religions. Baker, 2001.

Tennett, T. C. Christianity at the Religious Roundtable. Baker, 2002.

Yong, A. Beyond the Impasse: Toward a Pneumatological Theology of Religions. Baker, 2003.

(1) A careful reading of the required texts. (2) Reading responses, max. 20 pages (3) A major research paper, 30 pages. (4) Student presentations. (5) Active participation in discussions.