Dharma Deepika

Dharma Deepika
Recent issue: Theology in Ferment?

Issue 29 Vol. 13 No.1 January June 2009

Editorial:
Theology means a systematic study of god. It is evident that a
pure study of god does not exist in a vacuum. Theology is done by people
who live in a particular place, at a particular time, sharing specific
worldviews. Their theological assumptions, concepts, and interactions reveal
traces of non-religious influences, In their attempt to interpret and to
communicate theological ideas people, either consciously or unconsciously,
employ insights drawn from various non-religious aspects of human
methods. They evaluate the result of this enterprise on their current living
situation. They shape theologies that should empower them to build a better
future.
Specific aspects of cultures, customs, linguistic idioms, economics,
politics, and eschatology impact the way people do theology. As they learn to
theologically address their deepest loyalties, they sooner or later find out
that their theology should be god-inspired and people-oriented. Their vertical
connection to god and their horizontal relationship with fellow human beings
help them to create theologies that are in ferment.
This current issue of Dharma Deepika contains a few chosen essays
that reflect multiple aspects of theology in ferment. Professor Richard Fox
Young, a leading expert on Sanskrit-based religions, discusses how Christians
interact with their cultures and construct pluriform identities. The realities of
appropriating and locally interpreting the received Gospel inevitably create
new aspects of theology. Nimi Wariboko, a trained manager of finance with
extensive pastoral experience and an associate professor of ethics, employs
sociological theories of time to understand both the increase and the
decrease of religious fervor among peoples. When people fear that they do
not have much time to realize their goals, their religious fervor tends to
increase. If they presume that endless time remains at their disposal, their
religious passion becomes weak. The increasing and decreasing aspects of
religious life produces certain types of theological articulations that deserve
our attention.
Joe M. Thomass essay makes use of theological and philosophical
arguments. It asks important questions about the relationship between
Christianity and non-Christian religions. The central issue revolves around
the questions of divine revelation, salvation, and final destiny of human
beings on the one hand, and the intricacies of religious continuity and
discontinuity on the other. Thomass deliberations include valuable insights
into the arguments developed by Hendrik Kraemer (1888-1965) and Leslie
Newbigin (1909-1998).
Dr. S. Robertson, Principal of Bethel Bible College in Andhra Pradesh,
India, underlines the importance of religious plurality for healthy theology.
He argues that no religion is static; it evolves as it interacts with the beliefs
and practices of peoples belonging to various religious and non-religious
persuasions. Dr. S. Liangao Soto discusses how relationally influenced
Christological anthropology of the Naga peoples in northeastern India has an
impact on Naga theology. Professor Robert Gnanamony examines
Christological themes developed by a few European existential scholars. He
pays much attention to select writings by the English novelist Henry Graham
Greene (1904-1991). Father Joseph Mattam, a Jesuit scholar, discusses the
importance of being faithful to the past and simultaneously being innovative
to the present. He highlights how the concept of Christs Pascal Mystery can
be made authentic and meaningful to peoples of our own generation.
Professor Kiran Sebastians essay raises important questions about the
nature, methodologies, achievements, and challenges of Dalit Theology. He
contends that this liberative theology should not become a static element,
but it should constantly work for the welfare of the poor and neglected.
Therefore, Dalit Theology should remain in ferment.

* God of a Thousand Heads Richard Fox Young
* Inflation and Deflation in Religious Commitment Nimi Wariboko
* Newbigin & Kraemer: Continuity & Discontinuity Joe M. Thomas
* Pluralism Defended? S. Robertson
* Christological Anthropology of the Nagas S. Liangao Soto
* Existential Christology in Graham Greene S. Robert Gnanamony
* Reinterpreting the Pascal Mystery Joseph Mattam S.J.
* Methodology in Dalit Theology J. Jayakiran Sebastian

The editors trust that the readers will benefit from reading these articles.
They welcome your feedback. editor@dharmadeepika.org

Dharma Deepika ISSN 0972-5970
Regd. No. R.Dis. No.116/97 E

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Dharma Deepika is an academic journal, evangelical in commitment, ecumenical
in scope, global in vision, dedicated to open inquiry of issues related to the
Churchs mission in contemporary South Asia, published by the Deepika
Educational Trust.

Opinions expressed are those of the authors and reviewers, and not necessarily
those of Dharma Deepika, its editors or publisher.

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Dharma Deepika

Back Issues:

June 1995: Hinduism
December 1995: West Bengal
June 1996: Islam (out of print)
December 1996: Sri Lanka
June 1997: Translation
December 1997: South Indian Christian History
June 1998: The Sikhs
December 1998: South Asian Spirituality
June 1999: The Himalayan Region
December 1999: Dalit Concerns

Jan - June 2000: Contextual Issues in S. Asia
July - Dec 2000: Bible & Theology in South Asian Context
Jan - June 2001: Gender Issues
July - Dec 2001: Diaspora
Jan - June 2002: Indigenous Christianity
July - Dec 2002: Pentecostalism
Jan - June 2003: Religious Pluralism
July - Dec 2003: Plurality, Morality, Gender, Society & State
Jan - June 2004: Contextual Ecclesiology
July - Dec 2004: Politics and Religion

Jan June 2005: Women in Mission
July Dec 2005: Evangelical Christianity
Jan June 2006: Bio-Ethics
July Dec 2006: Hindu-Christian Dialogue
Jan June 2007: Orality & Oral Culture
July Dec 2007: Christology
Jan June 2008: Tribal Issues
July Dec 2008: Christ & The Child
Jan June 2009: Theology in Ferment?
July Dec 2009: _________________

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Recent issue: Theology in Ferment?

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