Abstract

VAN AARDE, Andries. What is "theology" in "public theology" and what is "public" about "public theology"?. Herv. teol. stud. [online]. 2008, vol.64, n.3, pp.1213-1234. ISSN 2072-8050.

This article aims sets out to argue that the institui tional Christianity does not have the exclusive rights to "doing theology". Since Plato theology has assumes assumed systematization of ideas on the transcendent divine. The practise practice of theology is to be found in both the professional academy and in the public square. Spirituality is not to be reserved for people longing for God within the context of today's mass consumerist populist culture. Spirituality and religion overlaps and, therefore, today's postmodern spirituality does need not need to result into in the end of religion. However, institutional religion is indeed dying and "public theology" is not about theologians or pastors "doing theology" in the public square. Public theologicans are the film directors, artists, novelists, poets, and philosophers. The article argues that "public theology" could facilitate a dialogue between the theological discourse of academics and the public theological discourse. The article shows that "public theology" does overlap to an extent overlap withto ecclesial and contextual theology. In its core "public theology" is seen as the inarticulate longing of believers who do not want to belong.

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