Ways of Meeting and the Theology of Religions

Dr David Cheetham is Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religion in the Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham, UK. He teaches the theology and philosophy of religions and is the author of numerous articles for journals including Sophia, The Heythrop Journal, Studies in Interreligious Dialogue and Theology, and the book, John Hick (Ashgate, 2003).

’Cheetham with grace, good sense, erudition and insight considers issues towards constructing a theology of religions: imagination and attitudes of thinking, finding new spaces for meeting, and sustaining commitments to faith traditions. This is a refreshing and challenging work. Cheetham makes an important contribution to the discussion on Christianity and the religious other.’ Gavin D'Costa, University of Bristol, UK ’What is glimpsed in this work is the possibility that success in interpretation of religious diversity might not mean to specify its meaning more clearly, but to find room in one’s own adherence for many irreducible forms of encounter. A shared joke or a shared sunset ought to be inter-religiously important, without being anything but themselves. Rather than a salvo in an argument, Cheetham’s work is an intellectual meditation that can be read with profit by those on all sides of questions in the philosophy and theology of religious pluralism.’ S. Mark Heim, Andover Newton Theological School, USA 'An original contribution, this challenging and interdisciplinary volume offers a fresh inner architecture of the pluriform self who approaches and meets others in creative ways, conjoining but not confusing the task of inter-religious dialogue with its equally demanding precondition of intra-religious dialogue.' Religious Studies Review 'As theology of religions, comparative theology, and intercultural theology pursue myriad important tasks in religious understanding and relations, David Cheetham's latest work shines prominently as an example of creative thinking bolstered by academic astuteness. For any course on interreligious theology or engagement, especially at the graduate level, this text would be sure to spur both discussion and reflection, and I recommend it highly.' American Theological Inquiry 'In all, this rich, erudite, and carefully crafted book is essential reading for those engaged in the critique and developmen

• Introduction; Part 1 Philosophical Vision and Voice; Chapter 1 Comparative Imagination: Ways of Philosophizing; Chapter 2 Tones of Voice; Part 2 Finding Spaces; Chapter 3 The Problem of Deep Meetings; Chapter 4 The Self that Meets: Inner Architecture; Part 3 Imagining and Seeing the Other; Chapter 5 The ‘Aesthetic Attitude’; Chapter 6 Ethical Spaces; Part 4 Wise Meetings; Chapter 7 Texts or Tents?; post Postscript;