Theology For Today

Since the Second Vatican Council, an exciting array of new theological voices, themes, and venues for reflection has emerged. This addresses the vital question of what exactly is Catholic theology. It considers basic perspectives and principles that characterise Catholic theology and offers criteria by which diverse theologies may be recognised as authentically Catholic.

In this collection of his essays from the popular and respected journal Theology Today, longtime editor Patrick D. Miller offers insights into the basic human condition. His reflections range from popular culture (the popularity of Seinfeld) to political matters (the proper public role for the Ten Commandments) to the sublime (the connection between poetry and faith). The wit and wisdom of this internationally respected biblical scholar come through clearly in this collection.

What is the task of theology in a complex religious and secular world? What are theologians called to contribute to society, the churches, and the academy? Can theology be both fully faithful to Christian tradition and Scripture, and fully open to the challenges of the twenty-first century? In this book, an international team of contributors, including some of the best-known names in the field, respond to these questions in programmatic essays that set the direction for future debates about the vocation of theology. David Ford, in whose honor the collection is produced, has been for many years a key figure in articulating and shaping the role of contemporary theology. The contributors are his colleagues, collaborators, and former students, and their essays engage in dialogue with his work. The main unifying feature of this exciting collection is not Ford's work per se, however, but a shared engagement with the pressing question of theology's vocation today.

Here is an essential handbook for all those who would "do theology today, written by one of America's most distinguished theologians. The book is divided into four parts: -- "Theology of Theology, which extends, deepens, and renders more persuasive the author's lines of thought on theological prolegomena -- "Theology and Christology, which argues that to do theology today one must be concerned above all with the fundamental questions of God and Jesus -- "Theology of Religions, which implies that to do theology today is to do it in a truly global context, in the presence of the plurality of ways of being human, including those represented by non-Christian religions -- "Theology in Conversation, which claims that to do theology today is to enter into close and sustained conversation with others who either are or have been engaged in the same task of critical reflection

In periods of recession, churches frequently respond to social need in practical ways. These responses are often driven by pastoral concern rather than a theology of church and society. But without theological roots, such social action can be vulnerable and episodic. This volume, commissioned by a group of Bishops in hard-hit dioceses, looks to develop strong theological foundations for local social action initiatives by churches, especially for activists who are not familiar with the Church of England’s tradition of social theology, developed by William Temple and others a century ago. In exploring what a renewed Anglican social theology might look like, this also draws on the impact of Catholic Social Teaching and focuses on the core topics of multiculturalism, economics, family patterns, ecology and other key issues.