An Introduction To Third World Theologies

An overview of the main trends and contributions to Christian thought of Third World theologies.

Third World theology has grown and developed in recent decades - largely due to the efforts and activities of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT). The present volume, arising from their Second General Assembly, is an ideal introduction to this emerging movement, exploring both the common bonds that unite Third World theologies and the distinctive elements and concerns that distinguish them from one another. Bringing together reflections and evaluations from world-renowned theologians, 'Third World Theologies' offers an overview of the state of theology - and its political, economic, and social context - in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and among minorities in the United States. It then addresses the specific commonalities and divergences of these theologies, exploring the interplay of concern for issues of class, race, sex, and culture. 'Third World Theologies' concludes with an evaluation of the development (past and future) of EATWOT itself, which represents in its own history the development of Third World theology.

This essential reference work makes available in one volume the breadth and richness of the theological contributions of the peoples of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Pacific, and the minority and indigenous peoples of the world. Entries show how theology from the non-Western world has changed the language and contours of contemporary theology. The editors commissioned theologians from the Third World to write more than 150 entries on themes from Christian theology and religious studies, including spiritualities, cultural and social issues, biblical interpretation, and theological categories. The entries are inclusive of geographical, cultural, and denominational/confessional variations and the contributors include members of the Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and Mar Thoma (India) churches.

This title offers over 150 entries on themes from Christian theology and religious studies. It is devoted specifically to countries of the "third" - or "developing" - world.

Designed to introduce Western Christians to discussions about theology going on in the Third World, this book gives major overviews of the theology of Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Here for the first time is a systematic survey of the principal liberation theologians from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Exposing the rich variety of Third World liberation theologies, the author highlights points of agreement and divergence in approaches and context, and critically assesses the most often heard criticisms of liberation theology. With its companion volume, 'Third World Liberation Theologies: A Reader', this survey represents the most comprehensive introduction, in any language, to what may well be the most significant theological development of this century.

In 1988 Virginia Fabella from the Philippines and Mercy Amba Oduyoye from Ghana coedited With Passion and Compassion: Third world Women Doing Theology, based on the work of the Women's Commission of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT). The book has been widely used as an important resource for understanding women's liberation theologies, in Africa, Asia, and Latin America emerging out of women's struggles for justice in church and society. More than twenty years have passed and it is time to bring out a new collection of essays to signal newer developments and to include emerging voices. Divided into four partsContext and Theology; Scripture; Christology; and Body, Sexuality, and Spiritualitythese carefully selected essays paint a vivid picture of theological developments among indigenous women and other women living in the global South who face poverty, violence, and war and yet find abundant hope through their faith.

This major new collection of readings demonstrates the range and vitality of feminist theology and its increasing influence on Christian women and men throughout the world. Here are thirty-eight key texts, representing the voices of women in Africa, Asia, and Latin America as well as those working among minorities in places such as Israel, the US, and the Pacific. The readings are grouped under five headings: --Doing Theology from Third World Women's Perspective --Women's Oppression and Cries of Pain --The Bible as a Source of Empowerment for Women --Challenging Traditional Theological Thinking --A Newly Emerging Spirituality All texts are placed in context by brief introductory comments, while the main introduction to the whole book provides a helpful overview of the major issues and developments in Christian-feminist thinking throughout the Third World and beyond. Among the contributors are Chung Hyun Kyung (Korea), Ivone Gebara (Brazil), Kwok Pui-lan (Hong Kong), Mercy Amba Oduyoye (Ghana), Delores S. Williams (USA).