S J Samartha

One Christ-many Religions S J Samartha

Publisher Marketing: Here is a wise, radical, and illuminating book on the obstacles that a rigid interpretation of orthodox christological doctrines presents to dialogue with persons of other faiths. One Christ--Many Religions examines religious pluralism today and, in the light of its implications for the global community, suggests the contours of a revised christology more credible to Christians and their neighbors of other faiths. Samartha argues that the problem with the christological dogmas of the first Ecumenical Councils is not their truth so much as their interpretation, and the un-Christian zealotry they seem to engender in Christians. Sensitive to charges of sentiments of racial and cultural superiority that stem from Christians believing themselves uniquely authorized agents of God, Samartha challenges us to admit the truth of these accusations, and to revise our understanding of Jesus. Without such christological revisions, Samartha fears, Christianity may cease to be Christian, may become enfeebled in the pursuit of justice for the oppressed, alienated from the deeper challenge of Jesus, sealed off from the truths of other religions, and, ultimately, may be barred from experiencing the rich and mysterious encounter of God. ""A decisively valuable contribution . . . Samartha, who knows both Western and Indian religious thought in depth, has given us a book accessible yet impressive in its scholarship. It distills the wisdom of a long life spent in the pursuit of a christology that overcomes the problems of Christian exclusivism and is faithful to the way taught by Jesus . . . a book of subtlety and grace, theologically credible, spiritually satisfying, and pastorally helpful."" --Tissa Balasurlya, O. M. I. Center for Society and Religion, Sri Lanka ""I recommend this book not because it has neat answers to complicated problems that confront Christian tradition in this day of religious pluralism, but because it makes readers reflect on how they themselves should explore these problems."" --Joseph M. Kitagawa, University of Chicago Divinity School S. J. Samartha has lectured and served as director at Karnataka Theological College, United Theological College, and Serampore College in India. The first director of the Dialogue Programme of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, he now teaches at the South Asia Theological Research Institute, Bangalore. His books include Hindu Response to the Unbound Christ, The Other Side of the River, and The Search for New Hermeneutics in Asian Christian Theology.