Theological Approaches to Religious Diversity (TH-611)

Course Details:

The phenomenon of multiple religions raises complex questions. People who take religious identity seriously may wonder: how is the very fact of religious diversity to be understood? Specifically, how is this fact to be understood theologically? How is one to connect with adherents of other religions, yet maintain one’s own particular identity? What has theology to do with that? This course examines three contemporary theological approaches to religious diversity: theology of religions, comparative theology, and scriptural reasoning. It guides an exploration of the theoretical foundation, methodology, and practical aspects of each approach. In the process, it introduces scholarship on theology of and engagement with religious diversity from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Ruist points of view. This course enables students to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and to articulate their own theological approach to the phenomenon of religious diversity.

Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS - Islamic Studies: Foundational Fields
MAIRS - Islamic Studies: Religious Pluralism
MAIRS - Islamic Studies Elective
MAIRS - Interreligious Studies Elective
MAC - Chaplaincy Elective
MAC - Islamic Chaplaincy Pathway Elective

Instructor(s):

• Lucinda Mosher