Theology of Engagement

Ian S. Markham is Dean of Hartford Seminary, Connecticut and Professor of Theology and Ethics. He is the author of numerous books, including Plurality and Christian Ethics (1994) and Truth and the Reality of God (1999). For Blackwell Publishing he has edited A World Religions Reader (second edition, 1999) and Encountering Religion (2000). He is the editor of Conversations in Religion and Theology.

"As a more spacious cosmology and the forces of diversity and globalization prompt "enclosures" of all sorts, Markham's thoughtful and timely work argues for "engagement" in terms that evocatively call forth both a bold integrity and an audacious humility in the practice of Christian theology." Sharon Daloz Parks, Associate Director, Whidbey Institute "Professor Markham's essays are worth reading. The themes chosen are important, ...well researched and offer a good point of entry for the newcomer." Philip Lewis, University of Bradford, The Expository Times "This book can help students, undergraduates and upwards, see the grand sweep as well as some of the intricacies of the faith and reason problem, and even experiment with it. This book would be an excellent choice for anyone interested in what thinking has to do wit Christianity." Sandra Ellis-Killian, The Alethia Foundation "There is much here for a wide range of readers, those interested in theological methodology, historical theology, theology of religions, interfaith dialogue, ethical, social and global theology." Andrew Wingate, Leicester "Markham puts forward clearly and passionately for, his position. This is a book with something to say." Zoe Bennett, The Cambridge Federation

• Acknowledgments viiiIntroduction 11 Engagement: What it is and Why it Matters 72 Augustine’s Theological Methodology 303 Assimilation, Resistance, and Overhearing 484 Assimilation: Engagement with Human Rights 625 Resistance: The Heresy of State Sovereignty and the Religious Imperative for Intervention to DefendHuman Rights 716 Assimilation: The Importance of the Black and Feminist Perspectives 867 Overhearing: Clash of Discourses – Secular in the West Against the Secular in India 1098 Overhearing: Thinking about Hinduism, Inclusivity, and Toleration 1239 Assimilation: Christianity and the Consensus around Capitalism 13810 Assimilation and Overhearing: Rethinking Globalization – Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s Risale-I Nur, Hardt, and Negri 14711 Keith Ward: An Engaged Theologian 15912 Engaging with the Pope: Engagement yet Not Engagement 16813 The Shape of an Engaged Theology 191Conclusion 208Notes 210References 235Index 245