Christian Faith and World Religions: Inter-religious Dialogue in Australia (DP3017C)

Content

Australia has, over many years, undergone far-reaching changes, becoming a multi-cultural and multi-faith society. That is the context in which the Catholic Church in Australia has sought to give witness to the person and message of Jesus Christ. Students will study the magisterial documents which show the advantages and challenges of this situation. They will also be introduced to some major world religions in order to contextualise the discussion. Within this inter-religious context, they will tackle a number of important theological themes such as Christology, grace, and salvation. They will learn the principles and methods of inter-religious dialogue. Finally, they will explore ways in which the Church can more fully become an instrument of peace and harmonious development. (Cross-listed with CT3017C).

Learning outcomes

Pedagogy

Lectures help the students appreciate the many aspects of the complex subject and develop their ability to reflect and critique. They will also consider “real-life” issues where they can apply their appreciation of the work of interreligious justice and peace.

Indicative Bibliography

• Bouma, Gary, Rodney Ling, and Douglas Pratt. Religious Diversity in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. National Case Studies. Berlin: Springer, 2014.
• Clooney, Francis X. Comparative Theology: Deep Learning Across Religious Borders. Malden, MA: Wiley‐Blackwell, 2010.
• Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Declaration "Dominus Iesus" on the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church. 2000.
• Dupuis, Jacques. Christianity and the Religions. From Confrontation to Dialogue. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002.
• Engebretson, Kath. In Your Shoes. Inter-faith Education for Australian Schools and Universities. Ballan: Connor Court, 2009.
• Goosen, Gideon. Hyphenated Christians. Towards a Better Understanding of Dual Religious Belonging. Oxford: Peter Lang, 2011. (EBook available.)
• Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Dialogue and Proclamation: Reflections and Orientations on Interreligious Dialogue and the Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 1991.
• Shermans, Louise, and Christobel Mattingley, eds. Our Mob, God’s Story. Sydney: Bible Society Australia, 2017.
• Vatican Council II. Nostra Aetate. Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions. 28 October 1965. In Vatican II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents, edited by A. Flannery. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1980.

Assessment