Theology in the Public Square: Church, Academy, and Nation

This imaginative study rethinks the nature of theology and its role in universities. The author sketches out a fascinating project using examples from US and UK institutions, whereby theology becomes a transformative force within universities. Imagines what a Christian university, in which all disciplines have been theologized, would look like. Feeds into discussions about the religious identity of denominationally-linked colleges and universities. Forms part of a wider attempt to imagine a vital public role for theology that enables it to serve both the Church and the wider community. Review: "D'Costa sets out his argument with clarity and skill … An important book, relevant not only for discussions about the future of theology in the academy but of religion in public life." (Theology) "This is an important book and I hope augurs more interaction between out different Christian educational traditions." (The Gospel and Our Culture) "A well argued book … D'Costa has an invaluable argument on the key place of theology within the life of a faith. (Anvil) "A stimulating read … Contains absorbing views on a wide range of current issues such as identity, secularization, ethics and politics … A timely and relevant challenge for those involved with Church or university theology in today's religiously volatile world." (International Journal of Public Theology) "A powerful and serious theological argument - essential reading for anyone who wants to think seriously about the future of universities in the west, and most especially, in these troubled times, about the relevance of the practice and study of religion to what the west may become." ―Paul J. Griffiths, University of Illinois "In this timely work, Gavin D'Costa has caught the post-liberal/post-conservative wave sweeping over English-language theology. Picking up on Alisdair MacIntyre's suggestion that a pluralism of rival universities would foster real difference better than pluralistic universities, he argues for a strong-case Catholic university. Such a university would require both ecclesial theology and theological religious studies. In this book, D'Costa performs both. His treatment of theology, its relation to prayer and exegesis, and its place in the university will energize readers who are tired of the same old theological thing." ―William L. Portier, University of Dayton From the Inside Flap: This study shows how theology lost its pivotal role, along with philosophy, within the history of the western university. Reflecting on his own extensive academic experience, Gavin D'Costa sketches out a fascinating project, whereby theology may once more become queen of the sciences. However, this requires rethinking the role of education and challenging modernist and postmodern visions of the university. He imagines what a Christian university might deliver: a challenge to the practice of various academic disciplines, giving detailed examples regarding religious studies and physics; as well as fostering the possibility of a genuinely intellectual Christian culture. The book feeds into debates about the religious identity of denominationally founded universities, taking as a test case Roman Catholic universities within the United States, and the role of freedom, funding, research, and progress within such universities. It also forms part of a wider attempt to propose a vital public role for theology that enables it to serve the Church, and engage the university, and the wider secular and inter-religious culture in which we live. This book will be of interest to those concerned with the future of the university as well as to students and teachers of theology and religion. From the Back Cover: This study shows how theology lost its pivotal role, along with philosophy, within the history of the western university. Reflecting on his own extensive academic experience, Gavin D'Costa sketches out a fascinating project, whereby theology may once more become "queen of the sciences." However, this requires rethinking the role of education and challenging modernist and postmodern visions of the university. He imagines what a Christian university might deliver: a challenge to the practice of various academic disciplines, giving detailed examples regarding religious studies and physics; as well as fostering the possibility of a genuinely intellectual Christian culture. The book feeds into debates about the religious identity of denominationally founded universities, taking as a test case Roman Catholic universities within the United States, and the role of freedom, funding, research, and progress within such universities. It also forms part of a wider attempt to propose a vital public role for theology that enables it to serve the Church, and engage the university, and the wider secular and inter-religious culture in which we live. This book will be of interest to those concerned with the future of the university as well as to students and teachers of theology and religion.