Salvation in the World: The Crossroads of Public Theology

Description

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.

STEPHAN van ERP is Professor of Fundamental Theology at KU Leuven, Belgium. CHRISTOPHER CIMORELLI is Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology at Caldwell University, USA. CHRISTIANE ALPERS is Research Fellow at the Catholic University Eichstatt-Ingolstadt, Germany.

The young scholars in this important volume make it very obvious how Schillebeeckx' work helps them to engage theologically with contemporary issues, and thus are witness to the ongoing relevance of two of his core convictions. Firstly, that the God the Christian tradition remembers is the God active in the present, regardless of whether contemporary culture considers itself as secular. Secondly, that this makes theology both critical of its current context and self-critical. * Erik Borgman, Tilburg University, The Netherlands * Drawing upon the work of Edward Schillebeeckx, the editors present fifteen emerging scholars from North America and Europe who place the Dutch theologian's work in critical cross-disciplinary conversation with topics ranging from radical finitude to trauma theory. These penetrating essays challenge contemporary theology to engage the public sphere, but without jeopardizing commitment to the Christian tradition. Rather than abstractly defending Christianity, the authors critically engage such concrete realities as secularization, exclusion of the vulnerable, societal conceptions of "progress," climate change, and sexual violence - all of which lie at the "crossroads" of public theology - in order to demonstrate how specific public problems can be responded to from a Christian perspective. A most welcome affirmation of Schillebeeckx's conviction that there can be "no salvation outside the world"! * Mary Ann Hinsdale, Boston College, USA * This book is a very important contribution to the discussion of the relationship between theology and politics, especially the importance of theology in promoting a more accessible and more inclusive public sphere, and to improve its humane and social configuration. This kind of theology, sensitive to the consequences of its political and societal dimension, described as public theology, is discussed in a highly innovative fashion in the light of one of its spiritual ancestors, Edward Schillebeeckx. * Kurt Appel, University of Vienna, Austria *