Dion A Forster – författare

How can freedom of religion protect the dignity of every human being and safeguard the well-being of creation? This question arises when considering the competing claims among faith traditions, states, and persons. Freedom of religion or belief is a basic human right, and yet it is sometimes used to undermine other human rights. This volume seeks to unpack and wrestle with some of these challenges. In order to do so scholars were invited from different contexts in Africa and Europe to write about freedom of religion from various angles. How should faith traditions in a minority position be protected against majority claims and what is the responsibility of the religious communities in this task? When does the state risk overstepping its boundaries in the delicate balance between freedom of religion and other human rights? How can new voices, who claim their human rights in relation to gender roles, reproductive rights, and as sexual minorities, be heard within their faith traditions? These are some of the questions that are raised by the authors. This is a book for all who are engaged in faith communities, leaders as well as people trying to be recognized. It is also important reading for all interested in international legal frameworks for freedom of religion, state advisers, and human right defenders.

The findings from this study go beyond biblical-theological scholarship on forgiveness. Dion Forster boldly succeeds in showing that creating conditions for deeper human connection transforms impossibility into possibility and shines a light on the face of "e;the Other"e;, who can now be forgiven. --Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, Professor and Research Chair of Historical Trauma and Transformation, Stellenbosch University Dion Forster refuses to accept the conclusion that understandings of forgiveness may be so different and complex across social, racial and cultural groups in South Africa that actual forgiveness may be impossible. Using Matthew 18:15-35 as a meeting ground, he gathers ordinary Methodist Christians for cross cultural, intergroup Bible reading. He draws upon the philosophical integral theory of Ken Wilber, the insights of intergroup contact theory and the methods of critical biblical exegesis to organize, analyse and understand this encounter. What emerges is a hopeful conclusion that differing conceptions of forgiveness - its challenges and possibilities - can be understood, shared and perhaps, actualized across social, racial and cultural barriers."e; --Bruce C. Birch, Dean and Professor of Biblical Theology, Wesley Theological Seminary Reading Dion Forster on the (im)possibility of forgiveness, I was once again struck by our desperate need to learn more about ourselves and one another, but also about the meaning of forgiveness in our respective communities. This is an excellent example of the potential of Intercultural Bible Reading. Forster not only makes an outstanding academic contribution with implications for New Testament studies, Systematic and Public Theology, but also for flesh and blood communities wrestling with the possibilities and perils of forgiveness. --Juliana Claassens, Professor of Old Testament Studies and Head of Department, Chair of the Gender Unit, Stellenbosch University This book deals with contested and topical matters. Biblical hermeneutics has always been contested - how to read and understand Biblical passages. Things become even more contested when such passages are read inter-culturally; they become even more contested when the words are about contested personal and social issues, like Jesus' words on forgiveness in Matthew 18. Empirical studies like this show how deeply contested such readings truly are in the context of South African churches, with their painful histories of division and conflict. Future academic work will, therefore, benefit from the creative and careful methodological approach developed in this study. However, this book offers much more than academic promise - precisely because of the theme, so topical today and without doubt topical for a long time to come and in many other places in our contemporary world as well. Forster offers resources for reading and conversation for everyone concerned with public life today. This is public theology in action, showing how faith matters - without prescribing answers, but rather by invitation to join an informed discussion. --Dirk J Smit, The Rimmer and Ruth deVries Professor of Reformed Theology and Public Life, Princeton Theological Seminary

Africa needs leaders and Christians from every walk of life to rediscover their identity and purpose in all spheres of society. African Public Theology sounds a clarion call to accomplish this vital task. God created all humans equally, intending for us to live in community and take responsibility for the world around us – a mandate we need to act on.Through faithful application of Scripture to contexts common in the continent today, contributors from across Africa join as one to present a vision for the Africa that God intended. No simplistic solutions are offered – instead African Public Theology challenges every reader to think through the application of biblical principles in their own community, place of work and sphere of influence. If we heed the principles and lessons that God’s word has for society, culture and public life, then countries across Africa can have hope of a future that is free from corruption and self-promotion and is instead characterized by collective stewardship and servant-hearted leadership.

Africa needs leaders and Christians from every walk of life to rediscover their identity and purpose in all spheres of society. African Public Theology sounds a clarion call to accomplish this vital task. God created all humans equally, intending for us to live in community and take responsibility for the world around us – a mandate we need to act on.Through faithful application of Scripture to contexts common in the continent today, contributors from across Africa join as one to present a vision for the Africa that God intended. No simplistic solutions are offered – instead African Public Theology challenges every reader to think through the application of biblical principles in their own community, place of work and sphere of influence. If we heed the principles and lessons that God’s word has for society, culture and public life, then countries across Africa can have hope of a future that is free from corruption and self-promotion and is instead characterized by collective stewardship and servant-hearted leadership.

L’Afrique a besoin que dirigeants et chrétiens de tous horizons redécouvrent leur identité et leur raison d’être dans toutes les sphères de la société. Cet ouvrage lance un appel pour accomplir cette tâche vitale. Dieu a créé tous les humains égaux, afin qu’ils vivent en communauté et assument la responsabilité du monde qui les entoure, un mandat dont nous devons tous nous acquitter.Par l’ application fidèle des Écritures aux contextes actuels sur le continent aujourd’ hui, des contributeurs de toute l’ Afrique s’ unissent pour présenter une vision de l’ Afrique telle que Dieu l’a voulue. Ils ne proposent aucune solution simpliste. Au contraire, la Théologie publique africaine invite chaque lecteur à réfléchir à l’application des principes bibliques dans sa propre communauté, son lieu de travail et sa sphère d’influence. En tenant compte des principes et des leçons que la Parole de Dieu énonce pour la société, la culture et la vie publique, les pays d’Afrique peuvent espérer un avenir exempt de corruption et de despotisme, mais caractérisé par une gestion collective et un leadership au service des autres.

L’Afrique a besoin que dirigeants et chrétiens de tous horizons redécouvrent leur identité et leur raison d’être dans toutes les sphères de la société. Cet ouvrage lance un appel pour accomplir cette tâche vitale. Dieu a créé tous les humains égaux, afin qu’ils vivent en communauté et assument la responsabilité du monde qui les entoure, un mandat dont nous devons tous nous acquitter.Par l’ application fidèle des Écritures aux contextes actuels sur le continent aujourd’ hui, des contributeurs de toute l’ Afrique s’ unissent pour présenter une vision de l’ Afrique telle que Dieu l’a voulue. Ils ne proposent aucune solution simpliste. Au contraire, la Théologie publique africaine invite chaque lecteur à réfléchir à l’application des principes bibliques dans sa propre communauté, son lieu de travail et sa sphère d’influence. En tenant compte des principes et des leçons que la Parole de Dieu énonce pour la société, la culture et la vie publique, les pays d’Afrique peuvent espérer un avenir exempt de corruption et de despotisme, mais caractérisé par une gestion collective et un leadership au service des autres.

A Africa precisa de lideres e cristaos de todas as esferas da vida para redescobrir a sua identidade e proposito em todas as esferas da sociedade. A Teologia Publica Africana soa um toque de clarim para realizar esta tarefa vital. Deus criou todos os seres humanos igualmente, pretendendo que vivamos em comunidade e assumamos a responsabilidade pelo mundo ao nosso redor - um mandato sobre o qual precisamos agir. Atraves da aplicacao fiel das Escrituras aos contextos comuns no continente hoje, colaboradores de toda a Africa se unem para apresentar uma visao para a Africa que Deus planejou. Nenhuma solucao simplista e oferecida em vez disso, a Teologia Publica Africana desafia cada leitor a pensar atraves da aplicacao dos principios biblicos na sua propria comunidade, local de trabalho e esfera de influencia. Se prestarmos atencao aos principios e licoes que a Palavra de Deus tem para a sociedade, cultura e vida publica, entao os paises de toda a Africa podem ter esperanca dum futuro livre de corrupcao e autopromocao e, em vez disso, caracterizado pela administracao coletiva e lideranca de coracao de servo.

A Africa precisa de lideres e cristaos de todas as esferas da vida para redescobrir a sua identidade e proposito em todas as esferas da sociedade. A Teologia Publica Africana soa um toque de clarim para realizar esta tarefa vital. Deus criou todos os seres humanos igualmente, pretendendo que vivamos em comunidade e assumamos a responsabilidade pelo mundo ao nosso redor - um mandato sobre o qual precisamos agir. Atraves da aplicacao fiel das Escrituras aos contextos comuns no continente hoje, colaboradores de toda a Africa se unem para apresentar uma visao para a Africa que Deus planejou. Nenhuma solucao simplista e oferecida em vez disso, a Teologia Publica Africana desafia cada leitor a pensar atraves da aplicacao dos principios biblicos na sua propria comunidade, local de trabalho e esfera de influencia. Se prestarmos atencao aos principios e licoes que a Palavra de Deus tem para a sociedade, cultura e vida publica, entao os paises de toda a Africa podem ter esperanca dum futuro livre de corrupcao e autopromocao e, em vez disso, caracterizado pela administracao coletiva e lideranca de coracao de servo.