Public Theology: Reflection on the Future of the Discourse

Abstract

This chapter deals with an issue centrally related to the theme of “Stereotyping the Other.”1 Stereotyping involves the creation and use of a set of beliefs regarding the nature and characteristics of a group or groups of individuals.2 In the context of theological discourse, stereotyping could thus involve the creation and use of a set of beliefs regarding a particular group or particular groups from a theological perspective. This would tend to take place in the public arena, that is, in the public square of theological discourse. Therefore, in order to understand and assess the nature of “Stereotyping the Other,” it seems necessary to engage in the prior exercise of understanding the diverse nature of public theology. Currently, this is an important and necessary task, in that the concept of “public theology” is a contested area, which needs examination. Thus, this chapter seeks to deal with the issue of public theology. More precisely, it opens the discussion about the future of public theology. Public theology is a contested and diverse field. Indeed, it is a gathering of quite a heterogeneous group of ideas. John W. de Gruchy writes: At the outset, we need to recognize that there is no universal “public theology,” but only theologies that seek to engage the political realm within particular localities. There are, however, shared commonalities, both confessional and ecumenical, in approach and substance between theologies that seek to do this.3