Interreligiös Theologie betreiben?

Abstract The religious pluralization of Western societies raises the question: Should theology also be pursued interreligiously in this setting? This paper critically inquires into how »interreligious theology« is to be understood, distinguishing between position, methodology, and institutionalized space. The paper takes a spatial theory approach as it considers the theological quality of spaces of distance, devotion, and tactfulness. Methodologically, it reflects on whether the term »interreligious« is intended to refer to work done with texts, shared rituals, or the sharing of spaces - and what the implications of this may be. In view of the »outcomes« of interreligious theological work, the piece distinguishes between the religious worldview and the many truths. It unequivocally affirms the feasibility of an interreligious pursuit of theology on the basis of a confessionally grounded Christian identity.</jats:p

Kenntnis – Konsens – Kontroversität. Kirchliche Papiere zum Verhältnis Christen und Muslime und der Begriff des Dialogs

Abstract Discussions about the topic of interreligious dialogue in church and society often suffer from a diffuse understanding of dialogue. The present contribution therefore distinguishes between five concepts of dialogue based on the implicit interpretation of the initial situation, the intention of the dialogue, its dialogical hermeneutics, goals and consequences. Then two new resource statements of the churches on Christians and Muslims are analyzed as to which understanding of dialogue they feature. Critical comments are made on the content of the resource statem­ents and on the role of church leadership declarations on interreligious dialogue. Finally the author calls for further differentiation as regards the appreciation and understanding of the phenomenon of interreligious relations. He pleads for the alternative of theologically motivated respect for the religious other in the form of a theology of interreligious relations.</jats:p

Intercultural Theology as In-Between Theology

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the term intercultural theology has been gaining more and more traction. At the same time, the terms world Christianity and anthropology of Christianity have also become established. This article inquires into the profile of intercultural theology against the other two terms and defines the subject as in-between theology with regard to such factors as audience, media, power, methodology, plurality, and connectivity. Looking forward, the author identifies current challenges and proposes that intercultural theology should be understood as a both descriptive and normative discipline, that the driving force behind it is the universal-missionary truth claim of the New Testament message of salvation, and that—as a subject with a primarily systematic orientation—it is committed to a comprehensive understanding of reality and theology

Mission as Oikumenical Doxology Secularized Europe and the Quest for a New Paradigm of Mission. Empirical Data and Missiological Reflections

For more than a century now, Christianitys influence within many European countries has been in decline. Since especially the 1960s, there has been a corresponding and massive loss of church members. Despite the development of new forms of missionary engagement, the trend has not stopped, and it is very likely to continue for some time. What reasons lie behind it? How should the church address the challenges presented by this situation? These questions cannot, of course, be dealt with in detail in a single article. After the survey of statistical data and the range of its sociological interpretations, I will focus, third, on the missionary efforts conducted by the churches in Great Britain and Germany. Finally, I propose a specific missiology termed oikumenical doxology which I consider applicable to the situation in Germany, in particular, and European countries, in general