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The emergence of "public theology" is a consequential development of the marginalisation of the church from culture, such that the church now has to argue a place for theological reflection within both professional and public deliberations on social and ethical issues. It is born of the notion that the technical language of theology is not relevant, or too nuanced, to be of any general benefit. Theology, by definition, is the viewpoint of a marginalised and narrow viewpoint which no longer holds place in the mainstream marketplace of the West.
If we view theology as a technical language to be spoken, such a perspective has particular validity. I would argue, on the other hand, that theology's roots is not so much in a language as related to a way of seeing. In that sense, theology has as much relevance in the broader market of ideas as any other technical field.
The challenge for public theologians is two-fold:
1. To justify a place in the public dialogue
2. To find language which connects with that dialogue, yet still articulates the values and ideas which are apprehended from theological reflection.
It is not good enough to simply demand that others adopt the language and perspective which the church holds. We are a particular subculture with our own symbolism, imagery and technical language. It is incumbent upon the church to examine the symbolism, imagery and technical language of the broader community and its subcultures in order to find points of connection and points of entry.
Why is it the church's responsibility?
a. We are largely marginalised and treated with suspicion for having a narrow agenda. We need to demonstrate our willingness to dialogue.
b. It is part of our mission: to share the gospel with the world, we need to do the work which makes it accessible.
c. It is our heritage: evidenced in the ministry of Jesus and Paul, who borrowed, reshaped and redefined many images of their time.
But there is an underlying premise in the term "Public Theology" which disturbs me. It implies a private theology, and suggests a dualism which is not present in the gospel. The kingdom of God has a place in every sphere of life: from the bedroom to the boardroom, from the private garden to the public park, from the family to the stranger. Theology must have relevance and relativity to every aspect of life. Theology in the public space must grow out of and feed back into theology in other places.
We need to learn a new language so that we might express some old realities in means which all can access.
Posted by gary at February 11, 2005 04:39 PM
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