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This volume will show how various intellectual disciplines (most
found within the modern university) can learn from theology and
philosophy in primarily methodological and substantitive terms. It
will explore the possible ways in which current presuppositions and
practices of the displine might be challenged. It will also
indicate the possibilities of both a "Christian Culture" in
relation to that discipline or the way in which that discipline
might look within a real or theoretical Christian university. >
The purpose of this volume is to offer an authoritative overview of
the positive relationship between faith and reason, the latter
understood as different mode of philosophy. It will also show that
despite important variations and differences, the manner in which
Christan faith is able to interact with other intellectual
disciplines is grounded in theology and is required by theology.
Finally it will ground the overall project of "Religion and the
University" firmly in different ecclesial communities within the
Christian family and differing theological-philosophical
orientations that might be trans-denominational.
After Vatican II, the Roman Catholic Church began a process of
stripping away anti-Jewish sentiments within its theological
culture. One question that has arisen and received very scant
attention regards the theological significance of the founding of
the state of Israel in 1948 - and the attendant nakba, the plight
of the Palestinian people. Some American evangelical Christians
have developed a theology around the state of Israel, associating
themselves with Zionism. Some Christian groups have developed a
theology around the suffering of the Palestinian people and demand
resistance to Zionism. This unique collection of essays from
leading Catholic theologians from the United States, Germany,
France, Italy, Switzerland, England, and the Middle East reflect on
the theological status of the land of Israel. These essays
represent an exhaustive range of views. None avoid the new Catholic
theology regarding the Jewish people. Some contributors see this as
leading towards a positive theological affirmation of the state of
Israel, while distancing themselves from Christian Zionists. All
contributors are committed to rights of the Palestinian people.
Some affirm the need for strong diplomatic and political support
for Israel along with equal support for Palestinians, arguing that
this is as far as the Church can go. Others argue that the Church's
emerging theology represents the guilt conscience of Europe at the
cost of the Palestinian people. None deny the right of Jews to live
in the land. Two Jewish scholars respond to the essays creating an
atmosphere of genuine interfaith dialogue which serves Catholics to
think further through these issues.
The Second Vatican Council (1963-65) changed the face of modern
Catholicism in bringing it into a positive relationship with modern
culture. There were significant changes in Catholic thought and
practice regarding major topics. This timely and significant book
looks at those major issues: revelation, liturgy, the church,
ecumenism, world religions, mission, the role of Mary, and the
future of the Church. The reader is introduced to the content of
Vatican II documents, debates around their interpretation and the
manner of their implementation. The essays are written by the
leading figures in the Catholic Church and allow the reader to see
the Council's impact upon modern Catholicism and engagement with
the modern world.
A growing number of people describe themselves as both Buddhist and
Christian; but does such a self-description really make sense? Many
people involved in inter-faith dialogue argue that this dialogue
leads to a mutually transformative process, but what if the
transformation reaches the point where the Buddhist or Christian
becomes a Buddhist Christian? Does this represent a fulfilment of
or the undermining of dialogue? Exploring the growing phenomenon of
Buddhist-Christian dual belonging, a wide variety of authors
including advocates, sympathisers and opponents from both faiths,
focus on three key questions: Can Christian and Buddhist accounts
and practices of salvation or liberation be reconciled? Are
Christian theism and Buddhist non-theism compatible? And does dual
belonging inevitably distort the essence of these faiths, or merely
change its cultural expression? Clarifying different ways of
justifying dual belonging, contributors offer criticisms of dual
belonging from different religious perspectives (Theravada
Buddhist, Evangelical Reformed and Roman Catholic) and from
different methodological approaches. Four chapters then carry the
discussion forward suggesting ways in which dual belonging might
make sense from Catholic, Theravada Buddhist, Pure-land Buddhist
and Anglican perspectives. The conclusion clarifies the main
challenges emerging for dual belongers, and the implications for
interreligious dialogue.
Making Nothing Happen is a conversation between five
poet-theologians who are broadly within the Christian tradition -
Nicola Slee, Ruth Shelton, Mark Pryce, Eleanor Nesbitt and Gavin
D'Costa. Together they form The Diviners - a group which has been
meeting together for a number of years for poetry, and theological
and literary reflection. Each poet offers an illuminating
reflection on how they understand the relation between poetry and
faith, rooting their reflections in their own writing, and
illustrating discussion with a selection of their own poems. The
poets open up issues for deeper exploration and reflection,
including: the nature of creativity and the distinction between
divine and human creation; the creative process as exploration,
epiphany and revelation; the forging of identity through writing;
ways in which the arts reflect, challenge and dialogue with faith,
and faith can inform and challenge the arts; power and voice in
poetry and faith; and ways in which race, gender and culture
interact with and shape poetic and theological discourse. This book
will be of interest to poets and theologians, to all who read
poetry and are interested in the connections between literature and
faith, to those seeking inspiration for preaching, liturgy and
pastoral care, and to those committed to the practice and nurturing
of a contemplative attitude to life in which profound attention and
respect are offered to words and to the creative Word at work.
Making Nothing Happen is a conversation between five
poet-theologians who are broadly within the Christian tradition -
Nicola Slee, Ruth Shelton, Mark Pryce, Eleanor Nesbitt and Gavin
D'Costa. Together they form The Diviners - a group which has been
meeting together for a number of years for poetry, and theological
and literary reflection. Each poet offers an illuminating
reflection on how they understand the relation between poetry and
faith, rooting their reflections in their own writing, and
illustrating discussion with a selection of their own poems. The
poets open up issues for deeper exploration and reflection,
including: the nature of creativity and the distinction between
divine and human creation; the creative process as exploration,
epiphany and revelation; the forging of identity through writing;
ways in which the arts reflect, challenge and dialogue with faith,
and faith can inform and challenge the arts; power and voice in
poetry and faith; and ways in which race, gender and culture
interact with and shape poetic and theological discourse. This book
will be of interest to poets and theologians, to all who read
poetry and are interested in the connections between literature and
faith, to those seeking inspiration for preaching, liturgy and
pastoral care, and to those committed to the practice and nurturing
of a contemplative attitude to life in which profound attention and
respect are offered to words and to the creative Word at work.
A growing number of people describe themselves as both Buddhist and
Christian; but does such a self-description really make sense? Many
people involved in inter-faith dialogue argue that this dialogue
leads to a mutually transformative process, but what if the
transformation reaches the point where the Buddhist or Christian
becomes a Buddhist Christian? Does this represent a fulfilment of
or the undermining of dialogue? Exploring the growing phenomenon of
Buddhist-Christian dual belonging, a wide variety of authors
including advocates, sympathisers and opponents from both faiths,
focus on three key questions: Can Christian and Buddhist accounts
and practices of salvation or liberation be reconciled? Are
Christian theism and Buddhist non-theism compatible? And does dual
belonging inevitably distort the essence of these faiths, or merely
change its cultural expression? Clarifying different ways of
justifying dual belonging, contributors offer criticisms of dual
belonging from different religious perspectives (Theravada
Buddhist, Evangelical Reformed and Roman Catholic) and from
different methodological approaches. Four chapters then carry the
discussion forward suggesting ways in which dual belonging might
make sense from Catholic, Theravada Buddhist, Pure-land Buddhist
and Anglican perspectives. The conclusion clarifies the main
challenges emerging for dual belongers, and the implications for
interreligious dialogue.
As religion has become more visible in public life, with closer
relations of co-operation with government as well as a force in
some political campaigns, its place in public life has become more
contested. Fudged compromises of the past are giving way to a
desire for clear lines and moral principles. This book brings the
disciplines of law, sociology, politics and theology into
conversation with one anther to shed light on the questions thrown
up by 'religion in a liberal state'. It discusses practical
problems in a British context, such as the accommodation of
religious dress, discrimination against sexual minorities and state
support for historic religions; considers legal frameworks of
equality and human rights; and elucidates leading ideas of
neutrality, pluralism, secularism and public reason. Fundamentally,
it asks what it means to be liberal in a world in which religious
diversity is becoming more present and more problematic.
In this timely study Gavin D'Costa explores Roman Catholic
doctrines after the Second Vatican Council regarding the Jewish
people (1965 - 2015). It establishes the emergence of the teaching
that God's covenant with the Jewish people is irrevocable. What
does this mean for Catholics regarding Jewish religious rituals,
the land, and mission? Catholic Doctrines on the Jewish People
after Vatican II establishes that the Catholic Church has a new
teaching about the Jewish people: the covenant made with God is
irrevocable. D'Costa faces head-on three important issues arising
from the new teaching. First, previous Catholic teachings seem to
claim Jewish rituals are invalid. He argues this is not the case.
Earlier teachings allow us positive insights into the modern
question. Second, a nuanced case for Catholic minimalist Zionism is
advanced, without detriment to the Palestinian cause. This is in
keeping with Catholic readings of scripture and the development of
the Holy See's attitude to the State of Israel. Third, the painful
question of mission is explored. D'Costa shows the new approach
safeguards Jewish identity and allows for the possibility of
successful witness by Hebrew Catholics who retain their Jewish
identity and religious life.
Gavin D'Costa breaks new ground in this authoritative study of the
Second Vatican Council's doctrines on other religions, with
particular attention to Judaism and Islam. The focus is exclusively
on the doctrinal foundations found in Lumen Gentium 16 that will
serve Catholicism in the twenty first century. D'Costa provides a
map outlining different hermeneutical approaches to the Council,
whilst synthesising their strengths and providing a critique of
their weaknesses. Moreover, he classifies the different authority
attributed to doctrines thereby clarifying debates regarding
continuity, discontinuity, and reform in doctrinal teaching.
Vatican II: Catholic Doctrines on Jews and Muslims expertly
examines the Council's revolutionary teaching on Judaism which has
been subject to conflicting readings, including the claim that the
Council reversed doctrinal teachings in this area. Through a
rigorous examination of the debates, the drafts, the official
commentary, and with consideration of the previous Council and
papal doctrinal teachings on the Jews, D'Costa lays bare the
doctrinal achievements of the Council, and concludes with a similar
detailed examination of Catholic doctrines on Islam. This
innovative text makes essential interventions in the debate about
Council hermeneutics and doctrinal teachings on the religions.
Gavin D'Costa breaks new ground in this authoritative study of the
Second Vatican Council's doctrines on other religions, with
particular attention to Judaism and Islam. The focus is exclusively
on the doctrinal foundations found in Lumen Gentium 16 that will
serve Catholicism in the twenty first century. D'Costa provides a
map outlining different hermeneutical approaches to the Council,
whilst synthesising their strengths and providing a critique of
their weaknesses. Moreover, he classifies the different authority
attributed to doctrines thereby clarifying debates regarding
continuity, discontinuity, and reform in doctrinal teaching.
Vatican II: Catholic Doctrines on Jews and Muslims expertly
examines the Council's revolutionary teaching on Judaism which has
been subject to conflicting readings, including the claim that the
Council reversed doctrinal teachings in this area. Through a
rigorous examination of the debates, the drafts, the official
commentary, and with consideration of the previous Council and
papal doctrinal teachings on the Jews, D'Costa lays bare the
doctrinal achievements of the Council, and concludes with a similar
detailed examination of Catholic doctrines on Islam. This
innovative text makes essential interventions in the debate about
Council hermeneutics and doctrinal teachings on the religions.
Resurrection reconsidered revisits the vexed question arguably at
the very heart of the Christian faith: What is the nature of the
resurrection? The first part of this stimulating collection of
essays, drawn from an international team of writers, examines the
resurrection itself and reflects the many different positions
within contemporary Christian thought, ranging from a defence of
the resurrection as a literal historical event, through to an
outright rejection of the resurrection, and a feminist-
psychoanalytic critique. The book then explores the resurrection
within an equally controversial arena: Christianity and other
religions- pushing the debate into a broader, interreligious
context. For scholars, students, clergy and all those concerned
with Christianity in the modern world, Resurrection Reconsidered
offers an exciting foretaste of the type of debate that will mark a
pluralist twenty-first century.
This volume will show how various intellectual disciplines (most
found within the modern university) can learn from theology and
philosophy in primarily methodological and substantitive terms. It
will explore the possible ways in which current presuppositions and
practices of the displine might be challenged. It will also
indicate the possibilities of both a "Christian Culture" in
relation to that discipline or the way in which that discipline
might look within a real or theoretical Christian university.
The Second Vatican Council (1963-65) changed the face of modern
Catholicism in bringing it into a positive relationship with modern
culture. There were significant changes in Catholic thought and
practice regarding major topics. This timely and significant book
looks at those major issues: revelation, liturgy, the church,
ecumenism, world religions, mission, the role of Mary, and the
future of the Church. The reader is introduced to the content of
Vatican II documents, debates around their interpretation and the
manner of their implementation. The essays are written by the
leading figures in the Catholic Church and allow the reader to see
the Council's impact upon modern Catholicism and engagement with
the modern world.
This book presents three different, influential and representative
theological approaches towards the world religions. Students are
not only introduced to the field, but get three passionate and
intelligent 'takes' on what is at stake. By means of a response to
each of the primary essays, the authors are put into interaction
with each other, and are also engaged with the most contemporary
scholarship in the field of theology of religions. This sustained
and high level critical interaction between the authors provides a
feature that is not to be found in any other current work in
theology of religions. The three views represent: conservative
Roman Catholic Christianity (D'Costa), Reformed evangelical
Christianity (Strange) and liberationist liberal Christianity
(Knitter). This book will therefore appeal to a very wide
theological market from all sections of the theological spectrum.
This is an introduction to the World's major religions from a
Catholic Perspective. There is no single standard textbook that
outlines the official Roman Catholic theological position in
relation to other religions which then explicates this orientation
theologically and phenomenologically in relation to the four main
religions of the world and the flowering of new religious movements
in the west. The present project will cover this serious gap in the
literature. After outlining the teaching of Vatican II and the
magisterium since then (chapter one), each subsequent chapter will
be divided equally between: an exposition of the history and
features of the religion or movement being studied; and a serious
theological analysis of these features, showing how these religions
do have elements in common, as well as how they differ in
fundamental ways from Catholicism.
A fundamental requirement in an inclusivist understanding of the
relationship between Christianity and other religions is evidence
of God's salvific activity outside any knowledge of Christ. This is
commonly identified in the religion of Old Testament Israel. On
this basis an analogy (the "Israel analogy") is drawn between the
religion of the old covenant and contemporary non-Christian
religions. Closely related is the parallel argument that as Christ
has fulfilled the Old covenant, he can also be seen as the
fulfillment of other religious traditions and their scriptures.This
study outlines the use of the Israel analogy and the fulfillment
model, subjecting these concepts to a biblical and theological
critique revealing that the exegetical and patristic data are
misconstrued in support of these concepts. Furthermore, the Israel
analogy and the fulfillment model undermine the sui generis
relationship between the old and new covenants and fail to respect
the organic, progressive nature of salvation history. They also
misconstrue the old covenant and the nature of its fulfillment in
the new covenant. The Israel analogy and fulfillment model rely on
a correspondence between the chronologically premessianic (Israel)
and the epistemologically premessianic (other religions), and
therefore consider the "BC condition" to continue today. In so
doing, they undermine the significance of the Christ-event by
failing to appreciate the decisive effect of this event on history
and the nature of existence. It marks a radical turn in salvation
history, a crisis point, rendering the BC period complete and
fulfilled. Therefore the concept of a continuing "premessianic"
condition or state is seriously flawed, as are the Israel
As religion has become more visible in public life, with closer
relations of co-operation with government as well as a force in
some political campaigns, its place in public life has become more
contested. Fudged compromises of the past are giving way to a
desire for clear lines and moral principles. This book brings the
disciplines of law, sociology, politics and theology into
conversation with one anther to shed light on the questions thrown
up by 'religion in a liberal state'. It discusses practical
problems in a British context, such as the accommodation of
religious dress, discrimination against sexual minorities and state
support for historic religions; considers legal frameworks of
equality and human rights; and elucidates leading ideas of
neutrality, pluralism, secularism and public reason. Fundamentally,
it asks what it means to be liberal in a world in which religious
diversity is becoming more present and more problematic.
The purpose of this volume is to offer an authoritative overview of
the positive relationship between faith and reason, the latter
understood as different mode of philosophy. It will also show that
despite important variations and differences, the manner in which
Christan faith is able to interact with other intellectual
disciplines is grounded in theology and is required by theology.
Finally it will ground the overall project of "Religion and the
University" firmly in different ecclesial communities within the
Christian family and differing theological-philosophical
orientations that might be trans-denominational.
'This is an astonishingly rich and fascinating book, which engages
with French feminist theory as well as with Islam, Hinduism and
Judaism, as it revisits traditional Catholic themes: a book
destined, I am sure, to renew and deepen reflection on the doctrine
of God as Trinity.' -- Fergus Kerr, OP, Blackfriars, Oxford 'Gavin
D'Costa is already well known for his questioning and sensitive
theology of religions. In this book, he brings the same openness
and sensitivity to a profound consideration of the Christian
Trinity and its gendered representations in human culture. Through
a series of lively and challenging engagements with the work of
Luce Irigaray, Salman Rushdie and the Indian artist Jyoti Sahi, D'
Costa develops a searching argument for why God is beyond gender
and yet necessarily symbolized in both male and female terms. At
once both deeply critical of his own Roman Catholic tradition, and
yet passionate in defence of its possibilities, D' Costa argues for
an understanding of the Church as 'completing' God's incarnation -
in which all follow Mary as 'co-redeemers' with Christ - as a
Marian and multi-gendered community. Confronting the complacency of
both conservative and radical, this book is a brilliant example of
the new 'theology of culture' that treats Christian tradition and
contemporary concerns with equal seriousness.' -- Gerard Loughlin,
University of Durham Gavin D'Costa is Senior Lecturer in Theology
and Religious Studies at the University of Bristol.
This title is an introduction to the World's major religions from a
Catholic Perspective. There is no single standard textbook that
outlines the official Roman Catholic theological position in
relation to other religions which then explicates this orientation
theologically and phenomenologically in relation to the four main
religions of the world and the flowering of new religious movements
in the west. The present project will cover this serious gap in the
literature. After outlining the teaching of Vatican II and the
magisterium since then (chapter one), each subsequent chapter will
be divided equally between an exposition of the history and
features of the religion or movement being studied; and a serious
theological analysis of these features, showing how these religions
do have elements in common, as well as how they differ in
fundamental ways from Catholicism.
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