Asian Christian Theologies Research Articles

Book Review: Asian Christian Theology: Evangelical Perspectives by Timoteo D. Gener and Stephen T. Pardue

Book Review: <i>Asian Christian Theology: Evangelical Perspectives</i> by Timoteo D. Gener and Stephen T. Pardue

“MELAMPAUI DUNIA LATIN : KEMURIDAN DAN KEWARGAAN DALAM TEOLOGI PUBLIK KEKRISTENAN ASIA”

Abstract:&#x0D; This article looks at the issues of discipleship and citizenship in the context of Asian Christianity in terms of “belonging”. The concept of discipleship refers to the concept of belonging within the church, while the concept of citizenship refers to belonging within the nation-state. Thus the issue of belonging within these two spheres is a sub-set of the questions relating to public theology within Asian Christianity. The first issue considered is the question as to what extent the assumptions of public Christian theology actually are the assumptions of post-Enlightenment western Christian theology alone, and therefore have only very indirect links with Asian Christianity. The second issue is the intercultural nature of Christian theology, and its implications for public theology, including discipleship and citizenship. The third issue is the reality of Asian society and Asian Christian theology, particularly public theology. Where Christianity is a minority (albeit, large minority), what is the contribution of a public Christian theology to the debates of civil society? In this section the author looks at the concrete reality of violence in Asia, and seek to analyse how the dynamics of Pauline theology frequently used in Asia engage with the fact of violence. Finally the article seeks to answer the question as to what we can learn from Asian Christian contexts on the interaction of faith and culture in relation to Christian discipleship and engaged citizenship.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: kekristenan, budaya, teologi publik, gereja, lokal, global, Asia, reformasi.

Azijske kršćanske teologije

During the last decades the Christian churches in Asia have been making efforts to discover an appropriate a mode of transforming man and his world. They are doing this through specific alternative theologies that in part rely on the ideas of the theology of liberation and the theological thought of Third World countries. Asian Christian theologies reflect the distinct living conditions of this continent and are thusly also known as »rice roots theologies«.On the examples of India and South Korea the author analyses the diversity of the Christian traditions and the different examples of the use of the gospel in the local Asian context. He concludes that the alternative theological thought in these countries develops amongst their believers a critical consciousness about the social reality.The author ascertains that Asian theological thought is seeking »The Asian face of Christ«, affiliating itself with the transformation of society as well as with the alteration of church structures and institutions. For this purpose these contemporary theologies at times and in places embrace Marxist methods, and there is no doubt that they pay special heed to class analysis and to the class struggle. It is also of significance, the author concludes, that all the Asian Christian theologies are decidely ecumenically orientated which is not only due to the fact they are in a minority position on this continent.223

Rethinking Religious Pluralism from an Asian Perspective

Theology, understood as Christians' seeking understanding of their own faith, is charged with the task of answering questions that arise from the encounters of Christianity with other world religions. Many Christian theologians have been aware of both the importance of and the difficulties attendant upon those encounters. Throughout the history of Christianity, numerous theological attempts to address such problems have been undertaken and should be carefully examined for their validity and relevance. This paper, however, does not aim to evaluate all these attempts, an undertaking well beyond the scope of the present study. Instead, this paper seeks to shed light on ways in which a theological self-awareness of Asian Christianity might contribute to ongoing discussions of the relation between Christianity and other religious traditions. In other words, the paper proceeds from the assumption that traditional Western Christian thinking about non-Christian religions can and should be critically revised by means of Asian Christian theology. In this approach, the religious traditions of Asia that may be used to interpret Western theology are, from the Asian Christian perspective, not the object of theological interpretation, but the subject that constitutes the Asian Christian point of view.

Book Review: Asian Christian Theologies: A Research Guide to Authors, Movements, Sources from the 7th to the 20th Centuries

Book Review: Asian Christian Theologies: A Research Guide to Authors, Movements, Sources from the 7th to the 20th Centuries

Book Review: Asian Christian Theologies: A Research Guide to Authors, Movements, and Sources. Vol. 1: Overview from the Seventh to the Twentieth Centuries; South Asia, Austral Asia (pp. xlv, 679); Vol. 2: Southeast Asia (pp. xlix, 684); Vol. 3: Northeast Asia (pp. xlvii, 768)

Book Review: Asian Christian Theologies: A Research Guide to Authors, Movements, and Sources. Vol. 1: Overview from the Seventh to the Twentieth Centuries; South Asia, Austral Asia (pp. xlv, 679); Vol. 2: Southeast Asia (pp. xlix, 684); Vol. 3: Northeast Asia (pp. xlvii, 768)

Asian Christian Theologies: A Research Guide to Authors, Movements, Sources. Volume 1: Asian Region 7th-20th Centuries. South Asia; Austral Asia. Edited by John C. England, et al. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2002. xiv + 679 pages. $100.00 (3 vol. series). - Asian Christian Theologies: A Research Guide to Authors, Movements, Sources. Volume 2: Southeast Asia. Edited by John C. England, et

Asian Christian Theologies: A Research Guide to Authors, Movements, Sources. Volume 1: Asian Region 7th-20th Centuries. South Asia; Austral Asia. Edited by John C. England, et al. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2002. xiv + 679 pages. $100.00 (3 vol. series). - Volume 32 Issue 1

Book Review: Asian Christian Theologies: A Research Guide to Authors, Movements, Sources

Book Review: Asian Christian Theologies: A Research Guide to Authors, Movements, Sources

Frontiers in Asian Christian Theology: Emerging Trends

The most important emerging themes and voices engaged in Asian Christian theology today. Frontiers in Asian Christian Theology provides the latest extension of interpretive trends reflected in earlier volumes, now unavailable, such as the classic Living Theology in Asia. Arranged thematically, Frontiers in Asian Christian Theology first captures the ongoing dialogue between the dominant theologies of Asia and the continent's subalterns: women, tribals, and untouchables such as Indian dalits and Japanese burakumin. These essayists - including Kuribayashi Teruo, Arvind P. Nirmal, Nirmal Minz, and Chung Hyun Kyung - share the experience of those people who are treated as invisible non-entities who recover self-identity and self-validation in theological expression. The next group of essayists - among them Peter K. H. Lee, Choi Man Ja, Jyoti Sahi, Archie Lee Chi Chung, and Samuel Rayanprovide a wealth of stunning interpretive data in the uniquely Asian method of extra-textual hermeneutics. This perspective weaves Asian literary and non-literary resources into theology. Third, Frontiers in Asian Christian Theology offers examples of the narrative theology that is also a cultural outgrowth of Asia, including writings by Aloysius Pieris, Kwok Pui Lan, M. M. Thomas, Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, and Stanley J. Samartha. Their highly personal stories directly integrate lived experience with theology, which, as Sugirtharajah points out, is a prerequisite for any vibrant, dynamic theology. Frontiers in Asian Christian Theology concludes with essays that document some crucial contemporary issues for Asian theology. These include Wang Hsien Chi on Taiwanese homeland theology, Noh Jung Sun on Koreanreunification, Felix Wilfred on human rights, Samuel Rayan on the environmental crisis, and Tissa Balasuriya on the responsibilities of the theologian in contexts of ethnic conflict.

Book Review: Frontiers in Asian Christian Theology: Emerging Trends

Book Review: Frontiers in Asian Christian Theology: Emerging Trends

Faith and Praxis in Theology

In this article the author examines the relationship between faith and praxis in theology. The contemporary trends that make this relationship crucial for theology are noted, and its implications for Christian witness are explored through a brief analysis of several “liberation theologies.” The development of the relationship between faith and praxis is traced in Latin American liberation theology, African Christian theology, Asian Christian theology, feminist theology in the United States, and Black theology in the United States. Finally, some observations are given regarding the kind of faith and praxis that is demanded of Christians who would give authentic witness today.

Book Review: Asian Christian Theology: Emerging Themes

Book Review: Asian Christian Theology: Emerging Themes