The Unique and Universal Christ: Refiguring the Theology of Religions

The Unique and Universal Christ: Refiguring the Theology of Religions

by Drew Collins
The Unique and Universal Christ: Refiguring the Theology of Religions

The Unique and Universal Christ: Refiguring the Theology of Religions

by Drew Collins

eBook

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Overview

From the early days of the Christian faith, the relationship between the twin realities of Jesus’ historical particularity and universal presence has been a theological puzzle. The apparent dichotomy of the two leads Christ-followers to ponder some difficult questions: Who is Jesus to those who do not know him? Who are those who do not know him to those who do? Do "we" who follow Jesus meet him in "those" who do not?

Contemporary debates concerning Christian theology of religions have been profoundly shaped by Alan Race’s threefold typology of exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism. Scholars increasingly recognize the insufficiency of this typology, and a consensus about how to replace it remains elusive. With The Unique and Universal Christ, Drew Collins argues that an alternative theological approach to the relation between the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and the universality of God’s presence can be gleaned from the theology of Hans Frei and his fivefold typology of Christian theology. With Frei’s model as an interpretive lens, Collins examines the various ecumenical movements of the twentieth century and their conversations around theological authority in connection to Christianity’s relationship with other faith traditions. A new paradigm emerges for conceptualizing Christian faith amid the rich diversity of our world.

Reconsidered in this light, the Christian theology of religions ceases to be a combative venture that pits a Christian faith committed to the scandalous particularity of Jesus Christ’s identity as the Son of God against a faith open to the possibility of encountering the divine presence in the world at large. Instead, it becomes a mode of exploration, hoping for such encounters with the universal presence of Christ because of the uniqueness of Jesus.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781481315517
Publisher: Baylor University Press
Publication date: 11/15/2021
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 254
File size: 412 KB

About the Author

Drew Collins is Associate Research Scholar and Lecturer for the Yale Center for Faith and Culture at Yale Divinity School.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction: What Is the Christian Theology of Religions?
2 Alan Race’s Threefold Typology
3 Hans Frei, Christian Theology, and the Question of Authority
4 Frei’s Typology and the Twentieth-Century Ecumenical Movement
5 Conclusion: Unique Faith and the Hope of Universal Belonging

What People are Saying About This

Miroslav Volf

This is the most compelling analysis and refutation yet of the famous typology of stances toward other religions (exclusivism, inclusivismn and pluralism). Collins points impressively to a new theology of religions that affirms both the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and the importance of interfaith learning. A must-read for anyone interested in interfaith dialogue.

David F. Ford David F. Ford

In the theology of religions there have been many attempts to critique and move beyond the typology of exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism. Here at last is a thoroughly convincing alternative paradigm, creatively developing the categories of Hans Frei. Collins does even more: he shows how his approach both illuminates the Christian ecumenical movement’s significant engagements with other religions during the past century, and also opens up constructive, generous, and humble ways in which Christians can both be true to Jesus Christ and also relate wisely to those in other religious traditions.

Miroslav Volf Miroslav Volf

This is the most compelling analysis and refutation yet of the famous typology of stances toward other religions (exclusivism, inclusivismn and pluralism). Collins points impressively to a new theology of religions that affirms both the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and the importance of interfaith learning. A must-read for anyone interested in interfaith dialogue.

David F. Ford

In the theology of religions there have been many attempts to critique and move beyond the typology of exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism. Here at last is a thoroughly convincing alternative paradigm, creatively developing the categories of Hans Frei. Collins does even more: he shows how his approach both illuminates the Christian ecumenical movement’s significant engagements with other religions during the past century, and also opens up constructive, generous, and humble ways in which Christians can both be true to Jesus Christ and also relate wisely to those in other religious traditions.

Gavin D'Costa

Collins carefully shows how Hans Frei can help rethink the entire theology of religions project. With The Unique and Universal Christ, the post-liberal agenda is moved one step forward in a most helpful and constructive manner.

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