Call for Proposals

This Group invites comparative, constructive proposals related to the following themes:

• Religious diversity and “world religions” in nineteenth century religious thought — for a possible cosponsored session with the Nineteenth Century Theology Group
• The practice of “translation” of terms, concepts, and other compared elements across different religious traditions
• Comparative exclusivisms
• Current comparative theology textbooks and/or pedagogical practices — for a possible cosponsored session with the Teaching Religion Section
• Comparative eschatologies or religious ends
• Comparative theology in pastoral practice, particularly in relation to suffering
• Panel proposals on significant recent books or articles in the field

We will also consider proposals on other topics, especially prearranged panel or paper proposals. The Group hosts a listserv to facilitate such collaboration; to subscribe, please contact David Clairmont, University of Notre Dame, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mission

Comparative (interreligious) theology tries to be seriously theological, interreligious, and consciously comparative — all at the same time. It is, like other forms of theology as familiarly understood, primarily a matter of faith-seeking-understanding (or, more broadly, perhaps “the practice of reflective meditative perception” or “insight”) and reflection on this faith as it has been enacted in doctrine, argument, meditation, ritual, and ethical behavior. Like other forms of theology, it is an academic discipline, but may also be about and for the sake of knowledge of God or, more broadly, the ultimate mystery toward which life points. In comparative theology, faith and practice are explored and transformed by attention to parallel theological dimensions of one or more other religious, theological traditions, examined historically or in the contemporary context. As a discipline within the academy, this communal and intercommunal faith and practice are open to the analysis, comment, and questions of insiders to the involved traditions, and to scholars not necessarily defined by any such commitments who are nonetheless able and willing to explore the full range of dynamics of faith-seeking-understanding in a comparative perspective. Please contact any member of the steering committee for further information on the Group, including the most recent self-study and statement of purpose, or to be added to the Group’s discussion list.

Anonymity of Review Process

Proposals are anonymous to Chairs and steering committee members during review, but visible to Chairs prior to final acceptance or rejection.

Questions?

S. Mark Heim
Andover Newton Theological School
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Reid Locklin
University of Toronto
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Method of Submission