The Theology and Experience of Interreligious Encounter (DU9030P)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This course introduces select theological approaches to the reality of religious plurality. It will examine how 'sufficient' these approaches might be, both from the perspective of the Christian faith's own self-description, and from the perspective of the religious other (might the religious other see themselves within the positions as stated). The course will also move from the theoretical to the practical, and engage with individuals and communities other than Christian. Students will be challenged to develop a responsible (and theologically and socially defensible) understanding of inter-religious engagement.

Unit code: DU9030P

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Ecumenical Studies

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Map religious pluralism as a theological and social concern, especially as it has developed over the past century

2.

Identify and evaluate key theological positions motivating interreligious engagement (encounter, dialogue)
3.

Engage with a religious tradition other than Christianity
4.

Analyze and evaluate a theology of interreligious engagement sensitive to the context of a secular and religiously plural society

Pedagogy

Lectures, Seminars, Tutorial, Site Visits. A key component of this course includes site visits to other religious communities and prospective students should expect potentially irregular scheduling.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Clooney, Francis X., ed. The New Comparative Theology: Interreligious Insights from the Next Generation London: T. & T. Clark, 2010.
  • D’Costa, Gavin. Christian Uniqueness Reconsidered: Myth of Pluralistic Theology of Religions. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1990.
  • Dupuis, Jacques. Christianity and the Religions: From Confrontation to Dialogue. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002.
  • Heim, S. Mark. Salvations: Truth and Difference in Religion. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1995.
  • Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. An Introduction to the Theology of Religions: Biblical, Historical & Contemporary Perspectives. IVP Academic, 2003.
  • Knitter, Paul F. No Other Name? A Critical Survey of Christian Attitudes Toward the World Religions. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1985.
  • Knitter, Paul F. Theologies of Religions. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002.
  • Knitter, Paul F., and John Hick, eds.* The Myth of Christian Uniqueness: Toward a Pluralistic Theology of Religions* Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1987.
  • Volf, Miroslav, ed. Do We Worship the Same God?: Jews, Christians and Muslims in Dialogue Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2012.
  • Yong, Amos. Beyond the Impasse: Beyond a Pneumatological Theology of Religions. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

5000 word essay comparing two theoretical positions introduced during the class

 5000 75.0
Critical Review

1000-word critical review of either: Yong, Amos. Beyond the Impasse: Beyond a Pneumatological Theology of Religions. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003. Or: Heim, S. Mark. Salvations: Truth and Difference in Religion. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1995.

 1000 25.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2016

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-04 13:27:55 +1100