Victim Theology

Rarely does a book come along with a renewed understanding on the way certain issues are treated especially the Churchs response to HIV/AIDS. Other books talk about the social, economic issues in relation to HIV/AIDS, but this book goes further to show the theological basis of the churchs response. With evidence from the history of the main line churches, Mageto exposes the suppressed views within the mission churches on the HIV/AIDS. The book opens up yet another way of understanding the churchs response to HIV/AIDS so far and shows new ways of looking at the pandemic in particular those who are infected and affected.

Written by teachers, theologians, and practitioners well known for their expertise in the field, God and the Victim probes and examines issues of evil, justice, victimization, and forgiveness. Working from the view that crime is primarily a spiritual issue, the authors look at examples of victimization in the Bible for guidance about how we can better minister to victims today. --from publisher description.

Part One addresses 'Theological Foundations.' The five essays in this section deal with the Bible, Theology and Ecumenism. The subjects of theological methods, contextual hermeneutics, and appropriate curriculum are given special attention. Of course even foundational issues cannot be discussed in a vacuum and so each of the essays addresses these foundational subjects in the light of African realities. Part Two deals with 'Contemporary Issues.' It is particularly in this section that the traditional themes in African theology have been somewhat displaced by concerns which are today very pressing indeed. Three essays are devoted to the question of HIV/AIDS. This disease, which has devastated the African continent, demands a theological and practical response from those who claim to follow Jesus Christ. If the churches do not respond to this crisis with energy and determination we should not be surprised if the next generation wonders whether the Gospel has the power which we claim that it has. Two essays address the question of Islam and Muslim-Christian Relations in Africa. The resurgence of Islam in the world today is a concern of many. For those who believe in Jesus, this is a challenge which demands much wisdom and love. How should we respond to our Muslim neighbours? What are appropriate and thoughtful ways to share the love of Christ? Two further essays appear under the title of 'The Marginalized.' This could, of course, be a much large section. Those who suffer from AIDS could be included in this number, and one might have expected to see at least one essay on the place of women. In this volume, however, the 'disabled' and youth are highlighted. Both groups are clearly in need of the attention of the churches, and both groups are clearly misunderstood and neglected. The final section of Part Two contains essays, which focus attention on 'Theological Paedagogy.' All of the other contributions to this volume make suggestions and arguments about curriculum, resources, and issues of concern for theological educators. The causal aim of this book is that these essays may help us to reflect in an intentional way on the implications of contemporary realities for the future of theological education.

A profound introduction to how the work of Rene Girard has had implications for new theological concepts on atonement and sacrifice.

In approaching the topic of law and religion there are several ways it could be approached. One would be a highly theoretical level, looking at the very nature of both disciplines/institutions. Second, a less theoretical and technical manner, might be to look for some essential themes that have resonance with the other discipline. Third, one could investigate the nature of the integrative approaches of the two areas. While all of these are beneficial, this is not the manner of this collection. The way used here is to examine a range of contentious issues where law adjudicates the contested boundary between an allegedly secular society and public religion. The editors have added another, looking at a creative interface between the issues, the stories and the values/virtues that sustain and may heal two central disciplines/institutions of society. Contributors include the well known Australian Jesuit activist and lawyer, Frank Brennan SJ, who examines the law and same sex marriage.

Destroyed by severe interpersonal harm, and that God's grace is mediated, at least in part, through loving, interpersonal relations and facilitated healing."--Résumé de l'éditeur.

"Clergy-perpetrated child sexual abuse is addressed through theology, scripture, ethics, and psychology"--

Opening with a Foreword by James Alison, this volume is the first in-depth treatment of Alison's theological method. John P. Edwards shows that Alison's theological project outstrips René Girard's application of mimetic theory to theology. He concludes that an explicitly Christian theological perspective is necessary for providing a fully coherent account of Girard's notions of "conversion" and "mimetic desire". This volume grounds Alison's theological method in his understanding of the ongoing interaction between conversion and theological reflection, which is informed by his use of mimetic theory. While Alison describes this method as “theology in the order of the discovery”, the author refers to it as an “inductive theology”. The volume closes by demonstrating that such a theology bears fruit in a renewed understanding of the value of Christian doctrines and, particularly, the doctrine of revelation.