Contextual Theology

This book surveys important concepts, positions and problems of contextual theology, dealing with different criteria for the interpretation of "context" and providing explanations of different theoretical models for contextual theology.

Includes general discussion and chapters on specific areas of theology.

The first part of a two volume textbook that seeks to broaden the study of Christian theology in the West by opening it up to the contributions of the theologians of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Chapters pull together theological viewpoints of both “the West” and “the Rest.”

The second part of a two volume textbook that seeks to broaden the study of Christian theology in the West by opening it up to the contributions of the theologians of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Contains articles on aspects of theology as they intersect specific contexts and includes a basic bibliography: the doctrine of God (Islam), bibliology (Hinduism), theological anthropology (shame-based cultures), Christology (Africa), soteriology (Buddhism), pneumatology (Latin American Pentecostalism), ecclesiology (Islam), and eschatology (China).

Asian women comprise more than a quarter of the world's population, and the forms in which they express feminist theology are many and varied, extending through grassroots movements, theological networks, ecumenical conferences and journals. Those involved in the process include community organizers, theological students, church leaders and social activists, among whom even the concept 'feminism' assumes many definitions and substitutes. Kwok Pui-lan's introduction to this huge subject begins with a survey of the social, political and cultural contexts of Asian women's experiences, and then traces the emergence of feminist consciousness and the organization of women's networks. She describes the resources of Asian feminist theology and the appropriation of Asian religious traditions, and considers the reconstructions of the concept of God in inclusive categories. Finally, she summarizes Asian women's critique of the patriarchal church and outlines the search for a new spirituality that express women's embodiedness and sexuality.

The greatest change which has come about in Christian theology over the last generation has been the explosion of contextual theologies in different parts of the world. This book provides an overview of the main trends and contributions to Christian thought of Third World theologies. It sets out the common context of these theologies in their experience of colonialism and western missions, and suggests that they have forged new ways of doing theology which are quite distinct from the theological traditions of the western world. With key contributions from experts in their fields on Latin America, India, East Asia, West and East Africa, Southern Africa and the Caribbean, this book situates Christian thought in the cultural and socio-political contexts of their respective regions, and demonstrates how Third World theologies are providing different perspectives on what it means to be a Christian in today's global world.

At this moment in history, more Christians live in the Majority World than in Europe and North America.Majority World Theology a comprehensive overview of systematic theology with sections on the Trinity, Christology, pneumatology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology contributors including Amos Yong, Ruth Padilla DeBorst, Victor I. Ezigbo, Wonsuk Ma, Aída Besançon Spencer, Randy S. Woodley, Munther Isaac, and Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen explorations of how Scripture, tradition, and culture fit together to guide the church's theological reflection scholars demonstrating how to read the Bible and think theologically in light of contextual resources and concerns inside views on what doing theology looks like in contributors' cultures and what developments they hope for in the future Majority World Theology

Second volume of an exciting new series exploring global theologyThough the global center of Christianity has been shifting south and east over the past few decades, very few theological resources have dealt with the seismic changes afoot. The Majority World Theology series seeks to remedy that lack by gathering well-regarded Christian thinkers from around the world to discuss the significance of Christian teaching in their respective contexts.The Trinity among the Nations focuses on Christian understandings of the character and work of God in various contexts. The contributors highlight global trends in trinitarian theology in relation to historic Christian confessions, especially the Nicene Creed, and draw out the rich implications of the doctrine of God for the church and Christian living today. All content is also included in Majority World Theology: Christian Doctrine in Global Context.

Though the makeup of the church worldwide has undeniably shifted south and east over the past few decades, very few theological resources have taken account of these changes. Jesus without Borders -- the first volume in the emerging Majority World Theology series -- begins to remedy that lack, bringing together select theologians and biblical scholars from various parts of the world to discuss the significance of Jesus in their respective contexts. Offering an excellent glimpse of contemporary global, evangelical dialogue on the person and work of Jesus, this volume epitomizes the best Christian thinking from the Majority World in relation to Western Christian tradition and Scripture. All content is also included in Majority World Theology: Christian Doctrine in Global Context.

Though the global centre of Christianity has been shifting south and east over the past few decades, very few theological resources have dealt with the seismic changes afoot. The Majority World Theology series seeks to remedy that lack by gathering well-regarded Christian thinkers from around the world to discuss the significance of Christian teaching in their respective contexts.The contributors to this volume reflect deeply on the role of the Holy Spirit in both the church and the world in dialogue with their respective contexts and cultures. Taking African, Asian, and Latin American cultural contexts into account gives rise to fresh questions and insights regarding the Spirit's work as witnessed in the world and demonstrates how the theological heritage of the West is not adequate alone to address the theological necessities of communities worldwide. All content is also included in Majority World Theology: Christian Doctrine in Global Context.

Though the global center of Christianity has been shifting south and east for decades, very few biblical and theological resources have dealt with the seismic changes afoot. The Majority World Theology series seeks to remedy that lack by gathering well-regarded Christian thinkers from around the world to discuss the significance of Christian teaching in their respective contexts. This textbook series introduces students and scholars to these enlightening developments from the Majority World. In So Great a Salvation nine scholars from the global church reflect deeply on soteriology in the Majority World. For many Christians outside Europe and North America, the doctrine of salvation is not a mere theological construct but, rather, a matter of life and death. Taking African, Asian, Latin American, and First Nations cultural contexts into account, this book allows readers to see God's creative deliverance in a fresh light. All content is also included in Majority World Theology: Christian Doctrine in Global Context.

The Christian faith presents a distinctive vision of last things: that God in Christ aims to reconcile the world to himself, and through his Spirit and a new people, to set all things to right. This good news is for all nations and peoples, but for too long the Christian doctrine of eschatology has focused on debates and arguments rooted solely in the Western church. In All Things New, leading theologians and biblical scholars from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and North America offer readers a glimpse of how Christians around the globe are perceiving and describing the Christian hope. The result is a remarkably refreshing and distinctive vision of eschatology guaranteed to raise new questions and add new insights to the global church's vision of the eschaton. All content is also included in Majority World Theology: Christian Doctrine in Global Context.

Kärkkäinen's acclaimed five-volume constructive theology abridged in one accessible volume Providing a new and unique way of doing theology in our pluralistic world, Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen presents historic Christian doctrines in relation to the natural sciences and four other living faiths--Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. This textbook covers all systematic topics along with a host of current issues such as violence, colonialism, inclusivity, sociopolitical liberation, environmental care, and more. Accessible and student-friendly, Christian Theology in the Pluralistic World is the ideal text for exploring a theological vision at once rooted in the Christian tradition and constructive in its engagement with the complexities of our global, pluralistic world.

The first installment in a wide and deep constructive theology for our time In Christ and Reconciliation Veli-Matti Karkkainen develops a constructive Christology and theology of salvation in dialogue with the best of Christian tradition, with contemporary theology in its global and contextual diversity, and with other major living faiths.

In this book Pentecostal theologian Veli-Matti Karkkainen develops a constructive theology of triune revelation and the triune God in dialogue with Christian tradition, with contemporary theology in its global and contextual diversity, and with other major living faiths.

This third volume of Veli-Matti Karkkainen's ambitious five volume theology project develops a Christian theology of creation and humanity (theological anthropology) in dialogue with the Christian tradition, with contemporary theology in all its global and contextual diversity, and with other major living faiths - Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. In constructing his theology of creation and humanity, Karkkainen uniquely engages the natural sciences, including physical, cosmological, and neuroscientific theories. He devotes particular attention to the topics of divine action in a world subjected to scientific study, environmental pollution, human flourishing, and the theological implications of evolutionary theory - with regard to both cosmos and humanity.

This fourth volume in Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen's ambitious five volume systematic theology develops a constructive Christian pneumatology and soteriology in dialogue with the Christian tradition, with contemporary theology in all its global and contextual diversity, and with other major living faiths -- Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Kärkkäinen constructs a wide and deep theology of the Holy Spirit, examining creation and the sciences, other cosmic powers and beings, the concepts of spirits in other religions, and the Spirit's place in society and politics. He also goes beyond traditional ways of understanding salvation -- election, forgiveness, justification, sanctification, and glorification -- and includes discussions of Spirit-baptism, healing and restoration, reconciliation, liberation, and peace-building, carefully comparing Christian perspectives with the salvific views of other religions.

The culmination of Kärkkäinen's multivolume magnum opus. This fifth and final volume of Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen's ambitious five-volume systematic theology develops a constructive Christian eschatology and ecclesiology in dialogue with the Christian tradition, with contemporary theology in all its global and contextual diversity, and with other major living faiths--Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. In Part One of the book Kärkkäinen discusses eschatology in the contexts of world faiths and natural sciences, including physical, cosmological, and neuroscientific theories. In Part Two, on ecclesiology, he adopts a deeply ecumenical approach. His proposal for greater Christian unity includes the various dimensions of the church's missional existence and a robust dialogical witness to other faith communities.

In this updated edition, an internationally respected scholar explores biblical, historical, and contemporary developments in Christology, including global Christian diversity and views of other faith traditions.

An internationally respected scholar offers a biblical, historical, and theological assessment of the Holy Spirit, focusing on the ecumenical and contextual experiences of the Spirit. Now substantially updated throughout.

In recent years, the doctrine of God has once again become a central focus of theological discussion and debate. In this ecumenical, international, and contextual introduction, internationally respected scholar Veli-Matti K rkk inen offers a global survey of understandings of God in Scripture, Christian history, and contemporary theology. This new edition incorporates developments in theological research over the past decade and has been substantially updated throughout.

Unique for its breadth in studying theologians not only from Europe and North America but also from Latin America, Asia, and Africa, this landmark volume introduces the doctrine of the Trinity, examining the work and thought of contemporary theologians throughout the world. Veli-Matti Karkkainen provides an overview of the biblical roots of the doctrine, discussing both the idea of plurality in God in the Old Testament and the rise of Trinitarian understandings in the New Testament. He details the historical growth of Trinitarian traditions and delves into specific theologies, both Western and non-Western. Also including both an introductory consideration of the doctrine's significance and a concluding assessment and agenda for future thought, Karkkainen's The Trinityis the broadest and most comprehensive contemporary study on the Trinity available.

What is the church?What makes the church church?In this volume, theologian Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen provides an up-to-date survey and analysis of the major ecclesiological traditions, the most important theologians, and a number of contextual approaches that attempt to answer these essential questions.Drawing on his international experience, global research and ecumenical awareness, Kärkkäinen presents an overview of both traditional and contemporary expressions of the Christian church. An Introduction to Ecclesiology will richly reward the student, pastor or layperson who is looking for a comprehensive and insightful overview of the unity and diversity of understandings and practices within the one church of Jesus Christ.