DT3414 —

Inter-Religious Dialogue In A Secular Society

1st semester Wednesday evening (Min. No. 6)

Content

This unit will examine the biblical and theological foundations, church statements, and various theological positions on the issue of inter-religious dialogue, as well as the challenges it faces. It will also discuss issues of evolution, cosmic salvation, world peace, and the Reign of God along with their implications for dialogues between the various world faiths of today.

Prerequisites

DT1420 or equivalent, and BA1020 or equivalent

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. articulate the nature of inter-religious dialogue, its role and relevance in contemporary society
2. demonstrate a clear understanding of the link between the Reign of God as preached by Jesus and inter-religious dialogue
3. locate the place of inter-religious dialogue in the theology of evolution
4. identify and analyse inter-religious dialogue occurring in Melbourne.

Assessment

2000 word class presentation (40%); 3500 word essay (60%)

Bibliography

D’Costa, Gavin. The Meeting of Religions and the Trinity. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2000.

Dupuis, Jacques. Christianity and the Religions. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002.

Edwards, Denis. Breath of Life: A Theology of the Creator Spirit. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2004.

Fuellenbach, John. Church: Community for the Kingdom. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002.

Haught, John F. God After Darwin: A Theology of Evolution. Oxford: Westview Press, 2000.

———. Deeper than Darwin: The Prospect for Religion in the Age of Evolution. Oxford: Westview Press, 2003.

Horsley, Richard A. Jesus and Empire: The Kingdom of God and the New World Disorder. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003.

Knitter, Paul. Introducing Theologies of Religion. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002.

Maloney, Elliott. Jesus’ Urgent Message for Today: The Kingdom of God in Mark’s Gospel. New York, NY: Continuum, 2004.

Timmerman, Christiane, and Barbara Segaert, eds. How to Conquer the Barriers to Intercultural Dialogue. Bruxelles: Peter Lang, 2005.

Lecturer

Jacob Kavunkal SVD