Theology in Public Life
This research
project focuses on the development of public theology. Public
theology concerns Christians engaging in dialogue with those
outside church circles on various issues of common interest and
involves urging Christians to take the opportunity to participate
in the public domain in modern secular democracies and to converse
with other citizens on issues other than religious matters. For the
development of public theology, the area of research takes four
dimensions:
a) Theology in the public sphere: This project
involves systematic examination of the rationale, nature and
methodology of public theology while comparing its distinctive
approach with political and liberation theologies. Public theology
done in global contexts from interdisciplinary perspectives is
being examined on the basis of the categories in order to test the
hypothesis. The publication from this project is:
Community Identity: Dynamics of Religion in Society
(Continuum, 2007) and
Theology in the Public Sphere: Public Theology as a Catalyst
for Open Debate (SCM, 2011).
b) International
Journal of Public Theology: This peer-reviewed journal
started in 2006 and is published quarterly by Brill. The journal,
which is affiliated with the Global Network
for Public Theology, is a platform for original interdisciplinary
research in the field of public theology. In particular, the
journal engages in conversation with policy-makers and
practitioners through special issues such as ‘Climate Change and
the Common Good’, ‘Obama: An American Commentary’, ‘Faith, Welfare
and Well-being’ and ‘Restoring Justice’. Professor Sebastian Kim (Editor-in-Chief) and
Dr Esther McIntosh (Managing Editor)
lead this project.
c) Ebor
Lectures & St Wilfrid Lectures:
This is an ecumenical project with York Minster, York Institute for
Community Theology, Carmelites and Churches Regional Commission
that seeks to exchange insights between academic and religious
traditions and to build bridges between church and other religious
groups. The lectures relate faith to public concerns including
globalisation, climate change, terrorism, economic crisis, and the
‘good society’. These lectures have been an instrument to promote
serious academic thinking and refection on contemporary issues
which is critically engaged with the day to day contexts of people
in the society. The lectures have been published as Liberating
Sacred Texts? Revelation, Identity and Public Life (SPCK,
2008) and Christianity and the Renewal of Nature: Creation,
Climate Change and Sustainable Living (SPCK, 2011).
The annual St Wilfrid lectures, named in honour of
Ripon Cathedral’s founder, have been running since 2009. They are
now well established as a lively forum for public conversation and
theological reflection on the common social, moral and political
concerns of the day. The lectures also embody an ecumenical and
interdisciplinary dimension, providing a platform for the exchange
of ideas between theological and educational interests, as well as
between the church and other faiths, communities, and
organisations. This project is led by Richard Noake along with
ecumenical committee members.
For further information about the Religion and
Society research group, please contact Professor Sebastian Kim