Nature, Functions and Contexts of Christian Doctrine

A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 2382

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia
Interests: nature and purposes of doctrine; systematic theology; theologies of united and uniting churches; doctrine of scripture

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Guest Editor
Pacific Theological College, 78 Vuya Road, Veiuto Rd, Suva, Fiji
Interests: public theology; contextual theology; Pasifika theology; climate change; gender studies

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

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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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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

13 pages, 223 KiB  
Article
Can Systematic Theology Be Saved? Doctrine and Its Discontents
by Andrew Clark-Howard
Religions 2024, 15(9), 1145; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15091145 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1306
Abstract
This paper explores recent discussions on the nature and character of Christian doctrine and doctrinal arrangement within leading accounts of systematic theology, that is, the attempt to offer an integrated and cohesive account of the central commitments of the Christian faith. Through such [...] Read more.
This paper explores recent discussions on the nature and character of Christian doctrine and doctrinal arrangement within leading accounts of systematic theology, that is, the attempt to offer an integrated and cohesive account of the central commitments of the Christian faith. Through such discussion, I argue that the perennial epistemological problem systematic theology faces in its attempts to speak about a (divine) object who definitionally exceeds such speech is related to the specific ethical problem of systematic theology’s performances as a hegemonic discipline, one which often functions to exclude non-white, non-male perspectives. In light of these challenges, I contend that “positive” reasons for continuing systematic theology remain remote; systematic theology cannot be saved. Yet neither can it be avoided, lest such problems are willfully repeated and because of the ways systematic theology continues to be a leading site of doctrinal reflection within Christian education and intellectual reflection. I therefore conclude this paper by exploring two apocalyptic responses to the crises facing systematic theology which advocate for its continuation precisely by calling for its “end”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nature, Functions and Contexts of Christian Doctrine)
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