Factors of the Asian Christians
Conner Worland
Dr. Sheveland
Final Paper
Factors of The Asian Christians
People in different societies around the world are well aware of its progression year after year, and this extends to all religious communities as well. The exclusivists would stand by their belief that there is no reason to change their religious theology as the world develops, because they hold the only and absolute truth. On the other hand, the Pluralist theologies have developed alongside the progressing world because dialogue has become more and more essential in order to keep the world moving forward. Pluralists believe that there is no absolute “Savior”, but that there is a “Kingdom-Centered” God. The purpose of this switch is explained in the way that they now see religion as a way to “serve the broader range of God and not to dominate it” (Introducing Theologies of Religion, 96). Because Pluralism is a developing part of theology it can be connected to the universally operative factors of theology, defined by John Macquarrie. Of the six specified factors, not all are to be regarded as equal, thus for Asian Christians experience and culture are the most evident factors portrayed in the Bishops’ FABC Paper #96.
Before discussing the importance of these factors for Asian Christians is it important to be knowledgeable on the definition of theology because without it, it would be a difficult task to acknowledge their cultured faith. There would be no understanding of how a specific religion practices traditions, how you would be socially cultured to be able to practice the religion, and no one would hold enough knowledge to be able to pass the tradition on to further generations successfully. Thus, it is essential to understand that theology is defined as “the study, which, through participation and reflection upon religious faith, seeks to express the content of this faith in the clearest and most coherent language available” (Macquarrie, pg. 1).
John Macquarrie states that
Dr. Sheveland
Final Paper
Factors of The Asian Christians
People in different societies around the world are well aware of its progression year after year, and this extends to all religious communities as well. The exclusivists would stand by their belief that there is no reason to change their religious theology as the world develops, because they hold the only and absolute truth. On the other hand, the Pluralist theologies have developed alongside the progressing world because dialogue has become more and more essential in order to keep the world moving forward. Pluralists believe that there is no absolute “Savior”, but that there is a “Kingdom-Centered” God. The purpose of this switch is explained in the way that they now see religion as a way to “serve the broader range of God and not to dominate it” (Introducing Theologies of Religion, 96). Because Pluralism is a developing part of theology it can be connected to the universally operative factors of theology, defined by John Macquarrie. Of the six specified factors, not all are to be regarded as equal, thus for Asian Christians experience and culture are the most evident factors portrayed in the Bishops’ FABC Paper #96.
Before discussing the importance of these factors for Asian Christians is it important to be knowledgeable on the definition of theology because without it, it would be a difficult task to acknowledge their cultured faith. There would be no understanding of how a specific religion practices traditions, how you would be socially cultured to be able to practice the religion, and no one would hold enough knowledge to be able to pass the tradition on to further generations successfully. Thus, it is essential to understand that theology is defined as “the study, which, through participation and reflection upon religious faith, seeks to express the content of this faith in the clearest and most coherent language available” (Macquarrie, pg. 1).
John Macquarrie states that