Christiane Alpers - Böcker

What happens when Edward Schillebeeckx’s theology crosses paths with contemporary public theology? This volume examines the theological heritage that Schillebeeckx has left behind, as well as it critically assesses its relevance for temporary theological scene. In tracing the way(s) in which Schillebeeckx observed and examined his own context’s increasing secularization and concomitant development toward atheism, the contributors to this volume indicate the potential directions for a contemporary public theology that pursues the path which Schillebeeckx has trodden. The essays in the first part of this volume indicate a different theological self-critique undertaken in response to developments in the public sphere. This is followed by a thorough examination of the degree to which Schillebeeckx succeeded in leading Christian theology ahead without merely accommodating the Christian tradition to current societal trends. The third part of the volume discusses the issues of climate change, social conceptions of progress, as well as the evolutionary understandings of the origins and purpose of religions. The final part examines Schillebeeckx’s soteriology to contemporary discussions about wholeness.

Christiane Alpers discusses the contribution and role Christian theology plays in developing of the democratic life in post-Christendom societies. She discusses the three major approaches to this debate – public theology, Radical Orthodoxy, and post-liberal Protestantism – in order to illustrate the shared assumption that such an enhancement should be understood in terms of solving existing political problems. The volume builds on and combines public theology’s aspiration to craft a non-triumphant political theology, fit for a post-Christendom context, Radical Orthodoxy’s hesitancy to embrace secularism as neutral centre for present democracies; as well as post-liberalism’s Christocentric outlook. Alpers engages with a wide variety of thinkers, such as John Milbank, Graham Ward, John Howard Yoder, Kathryn Tanner and Edward Schillebeeckx; to suggest that a political theology in the post-Christendom context could build on the faith that Christ alone has redeemed the whole world.

What happens when Edward Schillebeeckx’s theology crosses paths with contemporary public theology? This volume examines the theological heritage that Schillebeeckx has left behind, as well as it critically assesses its relevance for temporary theological scene. In tracing the way(s) in which Schillebeeckx observed and examined his own context’s increasing secularization and concomitant development toward atheism, the contributors to this volume indicate the potential directions for a contemporary public theology that pursues the path which Schillebeeckx has trodden. The essays in the first part of this volume indicate a different theological self-critique undertaken in response to developments in the public sphere. This is followed by a thorough examination of the degree to which Schillebeeckx succeeded in leading Christian theology ahead without merely accommodating the Christian tradition to current societal trends. The third part of the volume discusses the issues of climate change, social conceptions of progress, as well as the evolutionary understandings of the origins and purpose of religions. The final part examines Schillebeeckx’s soteriology to contemporary discussions about wholeness.

T&T Clark Handbook of Public Theology introduces the various philosophical and theological positions and approaches in the emerging discourse of public theology. Distinguishing public theology from political theology, as well as from liberation theology, this book clarifies central terms like ‘public sphere’, ‘the secular’, and ‘post-secularity’ in order to highlight the specific characteristics of public theology. Its particular focus lies on the ways in which much of public theology has established itself as a contextual theology in politically secular societies, aiming to continue the apologetical tradition in this specific context. Depending on what is regarded as the most pressing challenge for the reasonable defence of the Christian hope in liberal democracies, public theologians have focused on (social) ethics, ecclesiology, or Soteriology, with the aim to strengthen the virtues needed for democratic citizenship. Here, attention is being paid to Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox perspectives. The volume further illustrates the characteristics of the discourse by introducing the ways in which public theologians have responded to concrete challenges arising in the spheres of politics, economics, ecology, sports, culture, and religion. To highlight the international scope of the public theological discourse, the volume concludes with a summarizing overview of public theological debates in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and Latin America.

Christiane Alpers discusses the contribution and role Christian theology plays in developing of the democratic life in post-Christendom societies. She discusses the three major approaches to this debate – public theology, Radical Orthodoxy, and post-liberal Protestantism – in order to illustrate the shared assumption that such an enhancement should be understood in terms of solving existing political problems. The volume builds on and combines public theology’s aspiration to craft a non-triumphant political theology, fit for a post-Christendom context, Radical Orthodoxy’s hesitancy to embrace secularism as neutral centre for present democracies; as well as post-liberalism’s Christocentric outlook. Alpers engages with a wide variety of thinkers, such as John Milbank, Graham Ward, John Howard Yoder, Kathryn Tanner and Edward Schillebeeckx; to suggest that a political theology in the post-Christendom context could build on the faith that Christ alone has redeemed the whole world.