Kenarchy Journal: Kenarchy & Peace, 2025, Volume 7
The Rise of Intercultural Theology and its challenge for Western and Non –Western Theologies
Paul Lancaster
Abstract
The last twenty years have seen a growing interest in intercultural theology alongside the rise of interculturalism as an increasingly important dynamic in wider society. For many there is a lack of understanding as to what ‘intercultural’ means as distinct from ‘multicultural’, especially when it comes to theology. This paper will outline some of the current definitions of intercultural theology, examining non-western theologies and their challenge to western theology e.g. eastern orthodoxy, indigenous theology, Palestinian liberation theology and intercultural feminist/womanist theology. These are often described as contextual theologies based on an assumption that ‘there is theology and contextual theology’, implying Western-Eurocentric theology is superior to contextual theologies.
However, it is now being asserted, particularly from the Global South, that ‘all theologies are contextualised ’and always have been and need to be seen in this way. Theology (i.e. western euro-centric) as well as bringing scholasticism, has from an indigenous and contextualised historical viewpoint often led to subjugation, injustice and untold suffering. In today’s world, unchallenged theologies from an intercultural perspective often contribute to polarisation, division and alienation. On a positive note however, intercultural theology can enrich existing understanding contributing to societal transformation, whatever the theological context.
Given the scope of these issues, this paper can only be a broad outline and the examples chosen are rather limited, acknowledging that there is much more to investigate, but it raises important questions to be considered for now and the future.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62950/vupl74
Pages 51-67
The Kenarchy Journal