Bridging Divides, Building Relations, and the Proposal for Intercultural Theology

Abstract

This is a revised version of my Presidential Address, presented to the Canadian Theological Society. In it, I present and offer a proposal for intercultural theology. I start with a recent remark by Pope Francis about bridges (and walls), which leads to the notion of intercultural theology. I then say something about the ways in which intercultural theology has been understood and argue for a specific, concrete approach. I argue that, while such a theology can be part of what it is to do theology in general, it is also a personal task and vocation. After replying to some concerns about what intercultural theology may involve, I offer some concrete illustrations of how one might concretely engage in intercultural theology or theologizing. I conclude that, while intercultural theology may be disruptive, it can be of constructive service to theology today.