Theology in the Public Square Church, Academy, and Nation

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 Drs"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.

Gavin D’Costa is Reader in Christian Theology and Head of Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Bristol. He also acts as an advisor to the Church of England, the Catholic Bishop’s Conference and the Vatican on issues regarding other religions. His previous publications include Theology and Religious Pluralism (Blackwell, 1986), John Hick’s Theology of Religions (1987), The Trinity and the Meeting of Religions (2000), and Sexing the Trinity (2000).