The New Comparative Theology: Interreligious Insights from the Next Generation

Description

This book is an extended, critical reflection on the state of interrelgious dialogue in its modern version. While there has been some important writing in the field of comparative theology, there has been no extended, critical reflection on the state of the discipline in its modern version, its strengths and problematic areas as it grows as a serious theological and scholarly discipline. This work of young scholars in conversation with one another, remedies this lack by, as it were, taking the discipline apart and putting it back together again. The volume seeks to understand how to learn from multiple religions in a way that is truly open to those religions on their own terms, while yet being rooted in the tradition/s that we bring to our interreligious study.

Francis X. Clooney, S.J., is Parkman Professor of Divinity and Professor of Comparative Theology at Harvard Divinity School.

'Francis Clooney has distilled in this book decades of his massive and painstaking scholarship on Christian and Hindu theologies. Lucidly written and highly accessible, "Comparative Theology" teaches us how to read sacred texts---our own and others'---with humble minds and open hearts, so that we can see both similarities and differences between our religious tradition and others'. Warning us not to take his book as a recipe for doing comparative theology. Clooney invites us to join him in developing, each in our own fields of specialization, this emerging theological discipline, of which he richly deserves to be called "the Father." "Comparative Theology" is destined to be a classic in its field.' - Peter C. Phan, Theology Department, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA. -- Peter C. Phan 'In this excellent collection of essays, young scholars explore the theoretical foundations of comparative theology, which is itself a relatively young field compared to the theology of religions. These essays indicate some of the fascinating ways in which comparative theology can be imagined, opened up, learnt, re-learnt and performed; and one hopes that the thoughtful and essentially optimistic program of research suggested by these scholars will see fruition in the years to come. The concluding response by the editor, the distinguished pioneer of comparative theology, Francis X. Clooney, provides an ideal foil to the essays. This methodologically wide-ranging collection should have a significant impact on the shape of comparative theology, and much for the better.' - Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad, Department of Religious Studies, University of Lancaster, UK. -- Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad 'At times musical and analytic, narrative and poetic, this fantastic volume introduces the reader to a new generation of the 'deep listening' characteristic of comparative theology. A vibrant range of voices illuminates the many disciplines with which comparative theology engages. From pilgrimage and lived experience to the political and mission studies, with history, gender, supercessionism and liberation, the authors explore the theological fruits and ethical dimensions of cross-appropriation and comparison. These scholars offer challenging assessments of the field as well as new methods and models, all the while extending the invitation to the open-ended project that is comparative theology. This book serves beautifully as an introduction to the discipline, ringing true with original insights from new comparative theologians while communicating also the continued presence of forerunners and mentors who have shaped the field. This is not just a volume for comparativists, but for all theologians and anyone interested in doing theology in our interreligious world.' - Jeannine Hill Fletcher, Fordham University, Bronx NY, USA. -- Jeannine Hill Fletcher 'For sometime now there has been a buzz in the academy about the new discipline called "Comparative Theology," about which not much is known except that its trailblazers are theologians such as Francis Clooney and James Fredericks. With this volume Comparative Theology has developed into a full-fledged body of knowledge with a clear methodology and important contributors. The younger theologians are by no means disciples of their gurus. Their new voices are dialectical and constructive, and they help us move beyond the theology of religion into rich and exciting experiments in comparison. No contemporary theologian can afford ignoring this book and the new theology its proposes.' - Peter C. Phan, The Ignacio Ellacuria Chair of Catholic Social Thought, Theology Department, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., USA -- Peter C. Phan These essays make an important contribution to comparative theology and to our understanding of the inter-religious pilgrimage and its problems. This volume is recommended for anyone interested in doing theology in a pluralistic world. -- Catholic Library World - Vol. 82, No. 1