"Although We Cannot Fully Meet": The Roman Catholic Response to Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry
Peter R. Cross, pp.249-267
The publication of Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry by the World Council of Churches in 1982 was the culmination of more than fifty years of ecumenical discussion. The document was designed to elicit official comment from the churches involved in its production and also to involve a wide membership of the churches in the process of reception of the text by taking its insights into their spiritual, pastoral and theological life. This present article analyses the response of the Roman Catholic Church. The response is largely positive, but the methodology of the document reveals unresolved tensions concerning theological reformulation while the wider issue touching reception in the life of the Church is avoided.
Asia and Western Christianity
Felix Wilfred, pp.268-281
The focus in this article is on the set of factors which explain why it has been difficult for Asia to understand Western Christianity. Any authentic encounter of Western Christianity has to be also a deep encounter with the great religions – Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism – which shape the culture and worldview of the East. In particular, present Western theology must be more open in its scope and concern, seeking an existential dialogue with Asian religions and traditions.
Theology in Context and "The Right to Think" in Three Contemporary Theologians: Gutierrez, Dussel, and Boff
Anthony J. Russell, pp.282-322
All theology is rooted in context. European-North Atlantic theology has long dominated the mediation of theological discourse, and imposed implicit controls on the agent, locus and methodology of theology. The churches of the “periphery” are now seeking to estabÛlish the importance of their own context in doing theology, and are evaluating the validity of the hegemony of the theology of the “centre”. Liberation theology, in particular, regarded as a “neo-orthodoxy”, is developing what could be called a contextualised orthodoxy. What is the role, status and function of contextualised orthodoxy?
Indigenous Peoples and the Experience of Christianity
Carl Starkloff, pp.323-332
If Europeans have served as the most prominent stewards of the Gospel, it is not surprising that they have found it hard to distinguish between sharing the Good News and pushing their civilisation as if it were part of the gospel message. It has taken four centuries of pain for the churches to begin to be aware of the difference between culture and Christianity, and of the problem of distinguishing between them. Movements such as liberation theology and inculturation are demonstrating that it is not too late to change course. Europeans can, with the help of the peoples they colonised, escape their own cultural captivity.
The Integrity of Creation: Science, History, and Theology
Jim McPherson, pp.333-355
Both Jürgen Moltmann and Arthur Peacocke have sought to address environmental concerns in their theologies. Moltmann espouses the traditional Western theology of history articulated by Augustine, which hinders him in using scientific information with credibility and respect. Peacocke, as a scientist, writes from a theology of history more akin to that of the ancient Greek and Roman history writers, and this makes it difficult for him to accommodate the unique and revelatory content of the Christian faith. This impasse may be resolved by loosening the theology-history nexus, and by allowing the cosmos a limited autonomy in its relationship to God.
Jesus. The Unanswered Questions
John Bowden
Andrew Hamilton pp.360-363
From Here to Where? Australian Christians Embracing the Past - Owning the Future
Andrew Dutney (ed.)
Peter Horsfield pp.363-364
When did I begin? Conceptions of the Human Individual in History, Philosophy and Science
Norman M. Ford
John A. Henley pp.364-367
Peter Cross, M.A. (Oxon.), S.T.D., lectures in Systematic and Sacramental Theology at Catholic Theological College, Clayton, in Melbourne. His special interest is ecumenical dialogue and he is a member of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic and Uniting Church-Roman Catholic dialogues in Australia. He has been President of the Victorian Council of Churches for the past two years.
Professor Felix Wilfred, after completing philosophical and theological studies in Europe, is one of India’s leading theologians. A member of the International Theological Commission to the Holy See, he is particularly interested in the task of translating the Christian message into the cultures of the newer churches. He has published widely both in Europe and India.
Anthony J. Russell, I.C. (Institte of Charity, Rosminians), B.A., M.A., S.T.L., was born in Whakatane, New Zealand, in 1945. He studied literature and history at the University of Auckland and completed his Masters in theoretical linguistics at Wellington. He studied philosophy and theology at the Gregorian University in Rome, has an S.T.L. in moral theology at the Alphonsianum, Rome, and is at present completing doctoral studies at the Alphonsianum.
Carl Starkloff, S.J., is Associate Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology at Regis College, Toronto School of Theology, Canada. His book, Keepers of Tradition: The Symbol Power of Indigenous Ministry, will be published by Kerygma (Ottawa) this year. He has worked among native peoples for thirty years and is currently an instructor for ministry formation at Anishinabe Spiritual Centre. In August 1988 he visited Australia and addressed the Catholic Aboriginal and Islander Conference in Townsville, Queensland.
Jim McPherson came to systematic theology from a scientific background, with a Ph. D. in mathematics. He is currently preparing a book entitled The Integrity of Creation: An Ecological Theology, in which his contribution to Pacifica will form part of one chapter. He edited Aids and Compassion and is involved in research in sports medicine at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. He is an Anglican parish priest in Canberra, married with four children, interested in music and bushwalking.
