Theology Without Borders: An Introduction to Global Conversations - Paperback

by William A. Dyrness (Author), Oscar García-Johnson (Author)

Global theology represents one of the most important trends in theology today. What does it mean to do theology in a global context? How can Christian theology be understood as a conversation between different parts of the world and various streams of Christian history? This concise introduction explores the major issues involved in rethinking theology in light of the explosion of world Christianity. Combining the voices of a Western and a non-Western theologian, it integrates Western theological tradition with emerging global perspectives. This work will be of interest to theology and missiology students as well as church leaders and readers interested in the changing face of world Christianity.

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Rethinking Theology in a Global Context

"The most important theological development in the latter twentieth century was the birth of contextual theologies reflecting various cultures, social conditions, and ways of experiencing the gospel. The great task of this century will be to promote a faithful dialogue among these theologies. The present book is a significant contribution, pointing and opening the way for this task."--Justo L. Gonzalez, author of A History of Christian Thought

"Theology without Borders demonstrates brilliantly how theologians' contexts shape both the form and content of their theologies. The book is an important contribution to discourse on the necessity of a cross-contextual mind-set for constructing theology in this era of global Christianity."
--Victor I. Ezigbo, Bethel University

"Christianity has become global, but theological education in the United States often retains a focus that is almost entirely Western. Theology without Borders takes a different approach, contextualizing Western theological accomplishments, explaining the significance of theologies that are emerging elsewhere, and opening new space for cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration. This insightful volume exemplifies what theological education needs to become now that Christianity is a genuinely worldwide movement."
--Douglas Jacobsen, author of Global Gospel: An Introduction to Christianity on Five Continents

"A valuable and catalytic resource for the pursuit and practice of a deeply faithful Christianity in a world of great cultural diversity."
--Vincent Bacote, Wheaton College

"This inspiring text challenges Eurocentrism in theology and explores the contours of a global theology that is truly multicultural, transnational, and transcontinental. Written by two scholars from different cultural contexts, it offers a rich symphony of theological voices from the global South. Both beginners in theology and seasoned scholars will learn much from it."
--Kwok Pui-lan, author of Postcolonial Imagination and Feminist Theology

"A valuable contribution to a developing conversation about the status of Western theology after the demographic shifts that are changing the face of global Christianity. The authors invite theological educators to a heart-searching reflection about our entrenched ways of doing theology and helpfully point out the contribution that a theology indigenous to the global South can make."
--Adonis Vidu, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Author Biography

William A. Dyrness (DTheol, University of Strasbourg; Doctorandus, Free University) is dean emeritus and senior professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and is the author of several books on global theology. Oscar García-Johnson (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is associate dean of the Center for the Study of Hispanic Church and Community at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he also serves as associate professor of theology and Latino/a studies. He is the author of The Mestizo/a Community of the Spirit: A Latino/a Postmodern Ecclesiology and other writings from the Global South.