Nature, Functions and Contexts of Christian Doctrine
A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 2157
Special Issue Editors
Interests: nature and purposes of doctrine; systematic theology; theologies of united and uniting churches; doctrine of scripture
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The nature, status, and functions of Christian doctrine are widely and energetically discussed in contemporary theology. Debates often follow denominational fault lines, but they are also shaped by the diverse philosophical commitments of the protagonists. Contemporary discussions are also formed by the increasing diversity of the church and the desire of theologians of the Global South to resist the dominance and influence of the West's doctrinal traditions. Furthermore, the climate crisis, matters of sexuality and gender, and race have put significant pressure on traditional doctrinal loci. For some, these pressures are sufficient to abandon the doctrinal enterprise, or at the very least to treat it with deep suspicion. For others, they provide an opportunity for new approaches and fresh engagements with particular doctrines. This Special Issue welcomes submissions that emerge from this broad framework and/or address topics such as the following:
- The relationship between change, constancy, and diversity in Christian doctrine, especially in relation to climate, sexuality, gender, and race;
- Critical studies of recent proposals (e.g., Christine Helmer, Mike Higton, David Bentley Hart, Anne E. Carpenter, Willie James Jennings);
- How biblical exegesis is employed in constructive doctrinal work;
- Studies of particular doctrinal loci in particular contexts;
- The role of doctrine in making Christian truth claims;
- The role of particular doctrines in forming, deforming, and reforming the Christian imagination;
- The role of, or the impact of, certain doctrines in inter-religious encounters.
Prior to submitting a manuscript, we request that authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send these either to the Guest Editor or to the Assistant Editor of Religions. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purpose of ensuring that they fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Geoff Thompson
Dr. Dianne Rayson
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- doctrine
- truth
- context
- doctrinal change
- bible
- imagination
- sexuality
- climate
- race
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