HOW SHOULD A PUBLIC WAY OF DOING THEOLOGY BE APPROACHED?

  • E M Conradie Stellenbosch University
Keywords: public theology, approaches in theology, USA theology, David Tracy, George Lindbeck

Abstract

In an attempt to discern some guidelines for the South African debate on a public way of doing theology, it may be helpful to draw on recent debates on the issue of public theology in the USA. I will argue that the call for a public theology should be understood against the background of the ‘American experience’ of the problem of privatization in a pluralistic culture (section 1). Since it is not always clear from the USA debates what the phrase ‘public theology ‘actually means, I will identify some characteristics of a ‘public theology’ (section 2). The two rather different approaches of David Tracy and George Lindbeck (and their respective colleagues) to such a public way of doing theology will be analysed at length (section 3). Some brief comments on a public way of doing theology in South African context will then be ventured (section 4).

Author Biography

E M Conradie, Stellenbosch University
Old and New TestamentAdministration officer
Published
2019-11-21
Section
Articles