This book delves into the public character of public theology from the sites of subalternity, the excluded Dalit (non) public in the Indian public sphere. Raj Bharat Patta employs a decolonial methodology and explores the topic in three parts: First, he engages with ‘theological contexts,’ by mapping global and Indian public theologies and critically analysing them. Next, he discusses ‘theological companions,’ and explains ‘theological subalternity’ and ‘subaltern public’ as companions for a subaltern public theology for India. Finally, Patta explains ‘theological contours’ by discussing subaltern liturgy as a theological account of the subaltern public and explores a subaltern public theology for India.

This book situates public theology within the genre of political theology. Drawing upon the distinct strands of political theologies identified by Daniel M. Bell, Jr., Gnana Patrick treats public theology as the form of political theology for our contemporary era and takes special care to relate these strands of political theologies to the Indian context, thereby opening up the theological horizon for Indian public theology. Further, Public Theology dwells upon certain prominent features of our contemporary global world and discerns the human need for experiencing transcendence today. Taking faith to be the catalyst for this experience of transcendence, it points to civil society as the interstice through which faith can be imparted to the contemporary world. And, it argues for the relevance of public theology for that work.

Winner of the 2017 Choice Outstanding Academic Title Award Public theology has emerged in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries as theologians have increasingly entered the public square to engage complex issues. This Companion to Public Theology brings a much-needed resource to this relatively new field. The essays contained here bring a robust and relevant faith perspective to a wide range of issues as well as foundational biblical and theological perspectives which equip theologians to enter into public dialogue. Public theology has never been more needed in public discourse, whether local or global. In conversation across disciplines its contribution to the construction of just policies is apparent in this volume, as scholars examine the areas of political, social and economic spheres as well as issues of ethics and civil societies, and draw on contexts from six continents. Contributors are: Chris Baker, Andrew Bradstock, Luke Bretherton, Lisa Sowle Cahill, Letitia M. Campbell, Cláudio Carvalhaes, Katie Day, Frits de Lange, Jolyon Mitchell, Elaine Graham, Paul Hanson, Nico Koopman, Sebastian Kim, Esther McIntosh, Clive Pearson, Scott Paeth, Larry L. Rasmussen, Hilary Russell, Nicholas Sagovsky, Dirk J. Smit, William Storrar, David Tombs, Rudolf von Sinner, Jenny Anne Wright, and Yvonne Zimmerman.

Through an elaboration of public theology with an ethical project of life-world, Paul S. Chung employs the sociological work of civil society, public moral reasoning, and bio-political inquiry, while undertaking a social scientific analysis of a capitalist revolution in the global empire. Chung’s approach to public theology and ethical deliberation of the life-world opens up avenues for the postcolonial significance of the theology of nature and gene-ethics engaged in biomedical technology and bio-political governance in the time of the pandemic. Public Theology discloses creative new facets of sociological, ethical investigation into cultural justice (race, gender, and sexuality) through discourse clarification of power relations and construction of the life-world. “Engaging in an expansive conversation with the thought of major figures in philosophy, political economy, and theology, Paul Chung articulates a compelling argument for a public theology that takes seriously our postcolonial context.” — Craig L. Nessan, Professor of Contextual Theology and Ethics, Wartburg Theological Seminary. Dubuque, Iowa “What does political and emancipatory public theology look like and does it function in a post-colonial reality? Interrogating foundational sources in ethics, theology, sociology, and epistemology, Dr. Chung makes a resounding case for Christian public theology as explicitly ethical theology. He demonstrates the profound importance of religiously articulated ethical guidance - for individuals, and the Church - to promote true solidarity and democracy, and justice-oriented mutual responsibility in Civil Society. Dr. Chung’s excavation of some of the root causes and frameworks of oppression invites deep and theologically informed engagement in the affairs of the world.” — Kirsi Stjerna, First Lutheran, Los Angeles/Southwest California Synod Professor of Lutheran History and Theology, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary of California Lutheran University.

Public Theology is one of the most important topics in the field of theology across the world but not in Korea. There are several historical and theological reasons for this indifference of Korean Reformed Christianity as the mainstream in Korea. In order to dispel doubts of Korean Reformed Christianity to the public theological approaches it is necessary to demonstrates a coherence between some characteristics of public theology and Reformed theology. This study analyses and utilises the six characteristics of public theology presented by Heinrich Bedford-Strohm as a lens to engage aspects of John Calvin's theology and the period of the Reformation in Geneva. Based on this work, the author re-examines the history of Korean Christianity with a public theological point of view and asserts the justification for Korean Reformed Christianity to actively embrace public theological approaches. Minseok Kim is a Research Fellow at the Department of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology and Researcher at the Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology at University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

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.

Captures the multiple voices of Christian theology in a diverse and interconnected world through in-depth studies of representative figures and overviews of key movements Providing an unparalleled overview of the subject, The Modern Theologians provides an indispensable guide to the diverse approaches and perspectives within Christian theology from the early twentieth century to the present. Each chapter is written by a leading scholar and explores the development and trajectory of modern theology while presenting critical accounts of a broad range of relevant topics and representative thinkers. The fourth edition of The Modern Theologians is fully updated to provide readers with a clear picture of the broad spectrum and core concerns of modern Christian theology worldwide. It offers new perspectives on key twentieth-century figures and movements from different geographical and ecclesial contexts. There are expanded sections on theological dialogue with non-Christian traditions, and on Christian theology's engagement with the arts and sciences. A new section explores theological responses to urgent global challenges - such as nationalism, racism, and the environmental crisis. Providing the next generation of theologians with the tools needed to take theological conversations forward, The Modern Theologians: Explores Christian theology's engagement with multiple ways of knowing across diverse approaches and traditions Combines introductions to key modern theologians and coverage of the major movements within contemporary theology Identifies common dynamics found across theologies to enable cross-contextual comparisons Positions individual theologians in geographical regions, trans-local movements, and ecclesial contexts Features new and revised chapters written by experts in particular movements, topics, and individuals Providing in-depth critical evaluation and extensive references to further readings and research, Ford's The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to Christian Theology since 1918, Fourth Edition, remains an ideal textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses in Theology and Religious Studies, such as Introduction to Christian Theology, Systematic Theology, Modern Theology, and Modern Theologians. It is also an invaluable resource for researchers, those involved in various forms of Christian ministry, teachers of religious studies, and general readers engaged in independent study.

This collection provides a panoramic view of the many facets of contemporary Indian Christianity. Examining this subject through historical, theological, and missional lenses, the essays here explore the main themes driving Indian Christian life and thought today. Among the issues analyzed are Indian Christianity's theological foundations, ecclesiology, worship practices, and public theology, as well as the interreligious and political environment of contemporary India.

Religion in Diverse Societies: Crossing the Boundaries of Prejudice and Distrust contributes to existing cutting-edge research on the constructive way in which religion can support the promotion of respect, dignity, and justice for all people, considered as essential features in shaping sustainable, diverse, and peaceful societies. Through a combination of theoretical perspectives and theological analysis, applied to "real-life" contexts, the diverse contributions examine the role of religion in helping to achieve this and thereby challenge the attitudes and practices that create walls of prejudice and distrust. This timely volume provides a critical discussion of the complex role of religions in the public and political spheres in a range of global contexts and furthers the inter-religious, international, and interdisciplinary understanding of how religion can contribute to promoting and helping create inclusive and diverse societies.