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Books > Religion & Spirituality > General > Interfaith relations
Profound reflection on lament and hope arising out of Africa's
immense suffering. There is no more urgent theological task than to
provide an account of hope in Africa, given its endless cycles of
violence, war, poverty, and displacement. So claims Emmanuel
Katongole, a recognised, innovative theological voice from Africa.
In the midst of suffering, Katongole says, hope takes the form of
"arguing" and "wrestling" with God. Such lament is not merely a cry
of pain-it is a way of mourning, protesting, and appealing to God.
As he unpacks the rich theological and social dimensions of the
practice of lament in Africa, Katongole tells the stories of
courageous Christian activists working for change in East Africa
and invites readers to enter into lament along with them.
Today the world is confronted with many religious wars and the
migrations of millions of persons due to these conflicts. There is
a need for informed dialog as to the roots of the conflicts and
ways of addressing these in ways that speak to peoples' minds and
hearts. This is what this book attempts to do from the viewpoint of
major religious and ethical thinkers. The book relies on Bernard
Lonergan's foundational method to address problems systematically
with a view to achieve breakthroughs in our openness to one
another. The book appeals to the teachings of the Buddha, Jesus,
and Mohammad, relying on the mystical and insights of these
religious founders as well as those of dozens of their followers so
as to find commonalities that can build bridges of mercy. A global
secularity ethics plays a leading role in this book's bridging
efforts.
This collaborative effort by a number of the world's leading
experts on the Holocaust examines the question: how should Vatican
policies during World War II be understood? Specifically, could
Pope Pius XII have curbed the Holocaust by vigorously condemning
the Nazi killing of Jews? Was Pius XII really 'Hitler's Pope', as
John Cornwell suggested? Or has he unfairly become a scapegoat when
he is really deserving of canonization as a saint? In Pope Pius XII
and the Holocaust, scholars including Michael Marrus, Michael
Phayer, Richard L. Rubenstein and Susan Zuccotti wrestle with these
questions. The book has four main themes: (1) Pope Pius XII must be
understood in his particular historical context. (2) Pope Pius XII
put the well-being of the Roman Catholic Church, as he understood
it, first and foremost. (3) In retrospect, Pope Pius XII's
priorities, understandable though they are, not only make him a
problematic Christian leader but also raise important questions
about post-Holocaust Christian identity. (4) Jewish and Christian
memories of the Holocaust will remain different, but reconciliation
can continue to grow. On all sides, relations between Christians
and Jews can be improved by an honest engagement with history and
by continuing reflection on what post-Holocaust Christian and
Jewish identities ought and ought not to mean.
The concept of "vocation" or "calling" is a distinctively Christian
concern, grounded in the long-held belief that we find our meaning,
purpose, and fulfillment in God. But what about religions other
than Christianity? What does it mean for someone from another faith
tradition to understand calling or vocation? In this book
contributors with expertise in Catholic and Protestant
Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and
Daoism, and secular humanism explore the idea of calling in these
various faith traditions. The contributors each search their
respective tradition's sacred texts, key figures, practices, and
concepts for wisdom on the meaning of vocation. By seeking
comparative insights from diverse faith traditions, say Kathleen
Cahalan and Douglas Schuurman, we can all increase and improve our
efforts to build a better, more humane world.
This volume sheds light on the transformed post-Holocaust
relationship between Catholics and Jews. Once implacable
theological foes, the two traditions have travelled a great
distance in coming to view the other with respect and dignity.
Responding to the horrors of Auschwitz, the Catholic Church has
undergone a "reckoning of the soul," beginning with its landmark
document Nostra Aetate and embraced a positive theology of Judaism
including the ongoing validity of the Jewish covenant. Jews have
responded to this unprecedented outreach, especially in the
document Dabru Emet. Together, these two Abrahamic traditions have
begun seeking a repair of the world. The road has been rocky and
certainly obstacles remain. Nevertheless, authentic interfaith
dialogue remains a new and promising development in the search for
a peace.
Founded by Charles Colson and Richard John Neuhaus in 1994,
Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT) has fostered a fruitful
conversation on the meaning of the gospel in today's world. Over
the course of twenty years, ECT has issued nine statements
addressing contemporary topics. This one-volume guide, the first
collection of the ECT statements, explores the key accomplishments
of this groundbreaking, ongoing dialogue. Introductions and notes
provide context and discuss history and future prospects. The book
also includes prefaces by J. I. Packer and Cardinal Timothy Dolan,
a foreword by George Weigel, and an epilogue by R. R. Reno and
Kevin J. Vanhoozer.
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