Fields of Faith Theology and Religious Studies for the Twenty-first Century

This book was first published in 2005. How will the study of theology and the religions in higher education be shaped in the coming century? This book offers several different perspectives on this field of study with suggestions for a future in which theology and religious studies are pursued together. There are examples of the interplay of theology and religious studies with reference to a range of topics: God, love, scripture, worship, argument, reconciliation, friendship and justice. The contributors practise different disciplines within the field, often in combination, covering theology, philosophy, history, phenomenology, literary studies, hermeneutics, politics, ethics and law. Their specialisms embrace Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Indian religions, with particular focus on the field in Europe, the US and South Africa. Recognizing the significance of the religions and of higher education, the book explores what best practice can be adopted to fulfil responsibilities towards academic disciplines, the religions and the societies of which they are part.

Introduction David F. Ford; Part I. The End of the Enlightenment's Neutral Ground: 1. The study of religion and the rise of atheism: conflict or confirmation? Michael J. Buckley S. J.; 2. Doing theology in the university Denys Turner; 3. Shaping the field: a transatlantic perspective Sarah Coakley; 4. The study of religion as corrective reading Gavin Flood; Part II. Meetings on Common Ground; Section 1: Understanding Faith: 5. God Rowan Williams; 6. Love Julius Lipner; 7. Scripture Peter Ochs; 8. Worship Eamon Duffy; Section 2: The Practice of Justice and Love: 9. Argument Nicholas Adams; 10. Reconciliation John W. de Gruchy; 11. Friendship Janet Martin Soskice; 12. Justice Maleiha Malik; Response: Fields of Faith: An experiment in the study of theology and the religions Nicholas Adams, Oliver Davies and Ben Quash.

How will study of theology and the religions in higher education be shaped in the coming century? This 2005 book offers different perspectives on the field from practitioners in a broad range of disciplines and from a variety of faiths, offering a vision of the field and best practice within it.