Mission： Church in Formation 〔認同：在地宣教〕

本土神學文集第六冊命名為「認同：在地宣教」，英文則以Mission: Church in Formation來標示。試圖把宣教、認同、與教會三者連結起來。宣教是教會形成的激素與定型，甚麼樣的宣教產出甚麼樣的教會。教會因此不只是宣教的果子，也是持續宣教的動力。而宣教missio Dei是一種受差的行動，因此是道成肉身的實踐，真實的宣教必定是像耶穌道成肉身一樣的「認同的宣教」，也就是在地宣教。通過愛與認同，從事的在地宣教，毫無疑問地會建立起釘根本地的教會。本書透過反省筆者任職長老教會總會研發中心期間，主持台灣基督長老教會「21世紀新台灣宣教運動」研發的過程與內涵，以及期間面對全球化議題所做的基督教宣教的論述，配合早年出版之「本土神學與本土宣教」一書，以及年輕時在美國紐約協和神學院跟隨黑人神學家James Cone做研究時翻譯他的一篇短文「教會是甚麼」一起組成，時間前後跨越數十年，範圍涵蓋多層面向，希望從本土神學的角度，將神學理論與實踐結合，來呈現宣教的本質，也印證在地宣教的走向並期許教會能夠持續的本土化，來成為人民的盼望。

Contextual Theological Education

本書為本土神學文集系列的第五冊，命名為「希望．使命傳承／處境化神學教育」，主要是討論神學教育的處境問題。神學教育是西方大學教育的濫觴，也是西式教育典範。然而經過啟蒙運動的影響，由西方傳入第三世界的大學教育本質上是世俗化的教育，不涉宗教，甚或是排斥宗教的。然而，第三世界的神學教育基本上則是由宣教師引進的傳教專業訓練的教育，具有濃厚的宗派色彩，傾向把教會與世界兩分化，對科學與世俗社會採取排斥的態度。因此，神學教育在第三世界也就喪失了大學教育求真、求善、求美的使命，而變成為征服世界建立基督教王國為目標的殖民式教育。除了上述教育本質的問題外，傳統西方教育的分門別類，隔行如隔山，見樹不見林的專精取向，雖然在特定學術領域容易深入細微，卻也把學者訓練成隔行如隔山的知識割裂狀態。在全球化影響下，像第三世界這些邊緣、弱勢的教會與社會要如何從事神學教育乃成為一個難以克服的課題與巨大使命。本書即從這些關懷出發，試圖以本土神學建構的歷程來檢視第三世界、亞洲，而致台灣的神學教育工作。書中的內容涵蓋筆者多年在亞洲參與東南亞神學教育協會的經驗以及在台南神學院的教育與行政心得，試圖提供一個不同的進路與建議，讓在台灣與第三世界從事神學教育者的參考。也拋磚引玉讓教會有志之信徒、牧者能一起來關心與我們信仰密切關係的神學教育。

悲憫‧ 虛己的愛 -- 本土的倫理神學

倫理學狹義地﹝可﹞釋義為某種傳統、群體或個人所持有的道德原 則。廣義地說，社會裏的所有規範、習俗、制度、格言、禮儀、行 為標準、律法，都囊括在倫理的範疇內。 換句話說，倫理是社會中傳承的一套規範，用來維持並型塑理想的 人際、社會以及國際間的互動關係。倫理在本質上因此是具有導引、囿 限、甚至是綑綁的意涵。倫理的彰顯因此隱含有維護現狀，宰制未來的 潛在意思。在亞洲的基督宗教作為殖民歷史的宗教。其所引進的諸多基 督教倫理教導，雖絕大部分都分享有共同人性的普遍理想與期許，其在 不同時代、處境中發展出來的倫理規條，面對在地的、當代的新情境， 仍會出現許多不合時宜或以偏概全的缺失。本土神學的倫理學因此不在 於重述既存的倫理規範，而應著重於對不合時宜及以偏概全之傳統倫理 的糾正與重建。也就是用心於對傳統倫理的解構，來重建具解放性的倫 理。這也算是基督教倫理學的轉型正義。

神學的典範轉移

誌  台灣本土神學文集的出版

 

從事本土神學的書寫工作逾五十個年頭，從初次接觸基督教信仰到進入神學院，朦朦朧朧的透視到有限生命背後之超越無限的奧秘。在青澀的年代開始以「上帝與我」為題，書寫了幾篇連載的短文。那是還不懂甚麼是神學的年紀。那些掙扎著窺視生命奧秘的文字，如今讀來卻好像是我整個神學旅程的重要奠基石。

如今，年逾七十。拉拉雜雜書寫過的神學相關文字應不下百萬字。偶而舊文重讀，總會感受到年輕時那股企圖轉身、探索祕境的衝動與傻勁，似乎並未隨著年紀增長而有所消退。每次提筆撰文，總自信滿滿的認為自己有新的看法，有獨特的見解。長久以來自己也確實努力想不斷超越自己。只是蓦然回首，好像又從未離開一路走來的軌跡。是神學心靈的不安，或是對超越之渴望的無奈，這一路以來的神學書寫，就像失鄉的遊子，遊走於曠野漫漫。雖然途中不乏珍木奇石，卻體驗不到抵家的安穩。

從長榮大學退休後，在恩惠文教基金會支持下成立了台灣本土神學研究中心。讓我體驗到了諾貝爾和平獎得主尤努斯的銘言：沒有人是出生來被聘雇的(no one is born for employment)。這個人生的大轉身 (退休)，總算讓我有機會想想如何為矌野游走多年的台灣本土神學搭個遮風避雨的【殿宇】。在長榮大學任職期間，好幾次與周勉博士 (MP Joseph) 商討撰寫本土神學的參考文獻，也曾多次與莊雅棠牧師籌劃編輯神學資源手冊，並曾付之實施卻沒能完成。因此，在中心成立後，除了組織本土神學讀書會，舉辦研討會及出版本土神學系列叢書外。也再次興起編輯本土神學資源手冊的念頭。在幾位年輕的神學同工參與下，我們成立的台灣本土神學資源手冊編輯小組，開始籌劃分工。與此同時，我也有幸把我過去畢生書寫的作品所有版權捐贈給中心，重新整理出版，希望提供對本土神學有興趣的朋友一個入門的參考。

第一冊就把它命名為 「旅 - 轉身與起程」，以敘述方式談論神學的典範轉移。這文集的出版，最讓我欣慰的是得到一位素昧平生的年輕朋友羅傳樵先生同意我使用他十幾年前在網路評論我的神學思想的一篇短文做為評介文。羅先生不是神學本科的學者，因此，這評介應該可以讓更多關心宗教、關心神學的人容易親近我這些文字。希望整套文集的出版有助於台灣本土神學的投石問路，邀請更多人來關心與參與。

印度之旅

心靈秘境

雖然相較於其他地區，每次到印度都會感覺有諸多的不便。無論是交通、住宿、飲食，甚至是喝個水都得小心翼翼、提心吊膽。每次行程都會告訴自己「這將是最後一次來印度」。但是，仔細算起來，造訪印度已經不下十次。心裡總還是對印度存著一份無法割捨的感情。每當有會議安排，或者應邀講學、造訪，都還是欣然答應，熱切的想再飛往印度。

AFTM籌備成員在希倫坡大學集會

好友周勉教授 (prof. M. P. Joseph) 去年中跟著我的腳步毅然決定退休。在台灣任教二十幾年，一下子要退休回印度，實在不是容易適應的。退休前他一再叮曯我要去印度看他。雖然幾年前曾經到過他客啦啦的老家住過一個星期，對他退休後回去安頓的情形也的確關心，因此就答應安排。退休前找了幾位過去在國際神學教育界同工的夥伴磋商過為亞洲神學教育轉型新路徑，籌畫組織一個亞洲神學運動論壇 (Asian Forum for Theological Movement, AFTM), 就趁這個機會安排在加爾各答的希倫坡大學 (Serampore College) 辦一個成立的籌備會。 邀請了來自韓國、斯里蘭卡、孟加拉、美國、印度、台灣等十多位包括天主教與新教不同教派的神學運動者一起坐下來做一些腦力激盪。再把我們的行程延長往南向拜訪幾間神學院及草根神學機構。然後再到周勉老師家與他們共度台灣的農曆新年。

Teotihuacan 的日月神廟 - 凝視墨西哥的文化深層

第一次到墨西哥，出發之前既興奮又有點不安。早年在美國讀書時接觸過不少墨西哥人，但從來沒進過墨西哥。算來進出國門超過兩百多次，去過的國家也有三十幾國，近年來都是重複一些較密切交往的國家，很久沒有再探新國度的經驗。因此Concilium今年的編委會選定在墨西哥召開，一直期待著。不過，要到墨西哥除了最近美墨之間為了移民的問題吵得不可開交，加上出發前幾日才看到報導，因為空汙的問題導致學校停課，朋友一聽我要到墨西哥，不是要我注意安全就是小心空氣汙染。

輕井澤驚喜之旅

石的教會 --內村鑑三紀念教堂

除夕的傳統

不記得是哪一年開始，應該是家裡開始增加媳婦那年吧，我們開始把除夕晚上的過年移到外面不同的景點，讓全家能聚在一起守歲。因為是過年，也就沒太在意景點的選擇，只要能全家住在一起。甚至有幾年，為了張羅年夜飯都傷透腦筋。不過，全家都覺得值得。也把這個活動當成家庭的傳統。去年除夕過後，孩子們提議今年移到海外過除夕。日本是他們的首選，一來距離近，對小孫子們移動方便。二來日本人不過農曆年，符合我們想要安靜、家人團聚的需求。

對談，塞納河畔 -- 巴黎天主教大學主辦之「跨文化及跨宗教之理性對談」國際研討會記趣

記憶巴黎

對巴黎一直深植的印象就是浪漫。記得第一次到巴黎應該是一九九四年應邀參加WOCATI一個小組的會議，主要是為了爭辯「處境」在神學學術卓越性上的角色與地位。那次會議與會人數不多，但充滿爭議的討論不但說服我：離開處境的神學是沒有生命的學術，真正的卓越學術必須建立在對週遭生命與環境的人文關懷之上。處境化不但因此成為我這輩子神學努力的執著方向，它也成為北美神學評鑑協會(ATS)對神學教育之卓越性的一個評鑑參考指標 (WOCATI是ATS所支持，為其國際研究類似智庫團體)。

第一次到巴黎當然不會放過艾菲爾鐵塔、香榭大道，以及羅浮宮這些景點。然而習慣上受邀參加國際會議，使用的是邀請單位的經費協助，為了避免ecumenical tourism的惡評，除了必要的公事外，很少作延長行程趁機旅遊的安排。三、四天的會議除了主辦單位帶我們到不同具歷史性的餐廳吃飯，經驗這個古老的城市外，只能利用會議空閒的時間找幾個可抵達的地方溜達一下。鐵塔、香榭、羅浮宮、塞納河畔都到了，然而都是走馬看花，在外圍瀏覽一下，增添一筆人生的到此一遊 (主要還是沒錢也沒時間的窮神學人生活方式吧)。

重返香榭大道

一年多前，印度籍的好朋友，著名的天主教學者Felix Wilfred寫信給我，要我幫天主教頗具歷史性的神學刊物 (THEOLOGICUM) 推薦亞洲區編輯委員，我給了他幾個名單有男的有女的。幾個禮拜後他給我的回信是問如果他推薦我，我願不願意擔任這個編委的工作。我告訴他我不是天主教徒，如果Theologicum沒有教派的限制，我倒真有興趣了解一個具權威的國際性刊物是怎麼在運作它的出版過程。就這樣我被通知受邀參與編輯委員行列。後來看2015年的該刊物編輯與顧問年會的議事錄，才看到這邀請還真經過正式投票。20個委員(我看當次會議出席人數紀錄是18人)我得到13票，是當次會議入選者中在紀錄上票數最高的(我想是因為我的推薦人是Felix的原故，他是目前的執行主席)。而目前的20位編委中竟然只有我一位是非天主教的編委。據說有史以來非天主教徒的編委也只有過兩三位，其中一位大家較熟悉的是德國的新教神學家莫特曼(Moltmann，已於幾年前任期屆滿)。

被通知參與雜誌編委後，馬上就被放入編輯群的工作行列，主要都是用email聯繫。透過email的討論、提議，加上每年一次的年會作統整。一年出刊五期的學術雜誌，2015年的年會中已經把主題安排到2017年底。這段時間不斷接到的通聯都是在累積2018以後的題目。每期刊物都由編委分組負責規劃、邀稿及編輯工作。其嚴謹及用心，編委參與的積極都讓我大開眼界。去年九月(2015)巴黎天主教大學神學院院長Fr. Thierry Marie Courau來信要我準備參加2016年在巴黎召開的年會。並指定我在年會前的一個由該大學主辦，法國道明會、及Theologicum協辦的Symposium中談談東方人的文化與思考模式。

重返巴黎，難掩再次親炙香榭大道與塞納河畔的想望。26日深夜的飛機于27日清晨抵達戴高樂機場。通關的時間拖了近一個小時。由於要自己搭計程車入城，得先換錢，哪知太早抵達，在機場找不到那麼早開門的換錢店鋪。問來問去最後在地下室找到一間換了歐元，進到住宿的地點已經十一點左右。住的是道明會修道院改裝的宿舍(Maison Eymard)，制式化的管理，連門房人在裡面不是辦公時間(10-12am, 14-18pm)找他問事情都會告訴你我不在上班。房間要兩點才能進入，還好接待我的修女幫我協調，同意我把東西先拿進房間，等裡面整理好再進住。修道院宿舍剛好在香榭大道旁不遠，放好行李洗個熱水澡後就獨自到凱旋門附近溜噠。車流人群，寬廣行人道上的露天咖啡座，喚起終年忙碌遺忘已久的浪漫心緒。多麼希望生活中能偶而有機會像這樣悠閒的飲啜一杯咖啡，一、兩好友無所目的的聊開。

對談的背叛與救贖

我的專講被安排在開幕後第一場三個演講中的一講。另外兩位講者一位來自法國里昂大學，另一位是巴黎天主教大學的教授，共同主題是文化與宗教理性的概念。大會分成全體會議(plenary) 及圓桌會議。圓桌會議每場分成十五、六組。全體會議有五場每場三個專講，我和Felix是亞洲區被安排專講的兩人。圓桌會議有四場，每組兩到三人報告，總共有有上百人作分享。由台灣輔仁大學來的陳文團教授，陳德光教授也都負責在分組中當主持及報告。專講後的討論時間不多，我的專講題目是「漢人文字、語言的特質與其思考模式對宗教與神學的影響」。應該是整個會議專注在歐洲傳統哲學思辯的氛圍中較為突出的主題。會後很多與會者有不少正面的回應與讚許。

信仰與理性可以並存嗎?宗教對談是人類的救贖還是良心的背叛? 宗教信仰與教義可以作為對談的標的嗎? 在全球化、恐怖主義橫行的當代社會中如何透過對談增進人類福祉?會議的主題可以說包羅萬象，內容異常豐富。會中除了主要的天主教學者與信徒與會以外，少數新教徒，還有回教與佛教的學者法師參加。令我感動的是與會者的熱烈與對學術顯現的高度興趣。每場全體會議都可以看到搶位置的爆滿狀況，甚至到最後一場都還有許多人沒位置可坐，要坐在走道上去。這與台灣的各種學術會議，第一天盛況之後，會場逐漸空蕩蕩的情況真有天壤之別。對學術的執著與熱情，亞洲(台灣)要努力的空間還真有一大段路要走。

在巴黎與陳文團教授重逢是個驚喜。陳教授八、九年前與我到海德堡一起參加會議熟識後，一直保持斷斷續續的聯繫，身為哲學大師，在台灣桃李遍佈的學者，他的平易近人，親切友善，是我很敬重的學者。從台大退休後，一直沒機會再見面。沒想到在第一天的開幕會後從身後一隻友善的手拉住我，才知道這次會議除了我之外還有來自輔大的四、五位學者參加。輔大與巴黎天主教大學的神學院有合作關係。類似的研討會雖人數沒這次多(這次也是慶祝道明會創會八百年的活動之一)，在兩校間輪流主辦也有一段時間。希望未來在台灣舉辦時能讓更多不同大學的學者有機會一起參與。

會議第二天晚上，大會安排到塞納河坐船遊河晚宴，氣氛熱烈，三個小時的遊河晚宴，看著河岸一群群悠閒人群，一棟棟上百年上千年古堡建築。一償巴黎浪漫的想像。順便一提在會議中遇到一位河北來讀博士班的修女，以及一位從台北來讀歷史博士班的輔大校友，都很親切的帶我利用時間去繞了一圈大教堂及諾特丹聖母院。有他鄉故人的親切。這次會議的籌備工作也有讓我驚異的地方。在還沒出發來法國參加會議之前，在台灣就接到主辦單位寄給我的電子郵件，其中是先把每場會議的現場轉播youtube 網址規劃出來，會議的現場就直接傳上網址。在我演講結束同時，我已經可以在網址上找到自己的錄影影片。Fr. Thierry的領導能力可見一般。

我把我專講的第一場網址聯結在此：

Cerner le concept de rationalité culturelle ou religieuse

https://youtu.be/BkXMt_mI8eQ

Establishment of Asian Academy of Christian Studies and

Launching of International Journal of Asian Christian Studies

International Consultation

Asian Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies, Chennai

27 & 28 November, 2015

Rationale & Back Ground

The publication of The Oxford Handbook of Christianity in Asia is now acclaimed internationally for its high academic quality and original perspectives. Over 40 scholars of international stature were part of this project and contributed to shape the Handbook. The Handbook is viewed as an important source and instrument for a critical study of Christianity in Asia and its public engagement with society, culture, education, politics, history, etc.

An international conference (5-7 November, 2014) closely following at the heels of the publication of the Handbook brought together contributing authors, other scholars, faculty and research students here in Chennai for two days for a very engaged discussion. The conference led to the realization of a distinct Asian identity of Christianity with implications in the fields of public life, education, interreligious relationships, etc. The intense conversations led to the formulations of two proposals with reference to the future engagement of Christianity in the field of public life, education, interreligious understanding etc.

A proposal emerged from the conference of constituting an Asian Academy of Christian Studies which will help to bring together scholars across the globe studying and researching in the field of Christianity in its multiple encounters with the Asian societies. The creation of such an international body will help to promote cutting edge researches by Asian scholars. It will be open also to scholars from other parts of the world. The academy as a permanent body will further facilitate interaction among scholars on Asian Christianity.

Objectives of the Academy

• To study and research on Christianity as an integral part of Asian history and tradition.
• To promote a forum for Asian Christian Intelligentsia to dialogue with the larger society and critically reflect on its social, political, economic and cultural situation.
• To provide an interdisciplinary basis for Christian social engagement.
• To facilitate the meeting and interaction among Asian Christian intellectuals and channel their human resources towards transformation of society.
• To promote inter-religious understanding and religious freedom in dialogue with peoples of other faiths.

A second proposal that followed was the creation of an International Journal of Asian Christian Studies with an Editorial Board, consisting of outstanding scholars from Asia, Europe, USA, etc.

Objectives of the Journal

·         To study Christianity as a part of the socio-cultural processes of Asian people

·         To relate Christianity with current socio-cultural issues of different regions of Asia from an interdisciplinary perspective.

·         To study and research on Christianity with reference to the life context of marginalized peoples, minorities, ethnicities, etc.

·         To study and research the interaction of Christianity in the public sphere.

·         To explore various forms of Asian indigenous Christianities and their expressions from an interdisciplinary perspective.

·         To promote interreligious understanding and religious freedom through enlightening researches and reflections.

Impact of the Academy and the Journal

Issues of Christian mission, social engagement, education, culture, etc. are situated in a definite context with many interacting forces and factors. Christianity finds itself in Asia at the intersection of these forces and factors which also create its unique contours in the Asian continent. The Academy and journal will have impact on the way Christianity encounters the Asian reality and interacts with it. The studies and researches the Academy will promote and the journal will publish will lead to an enlightened understanding of the interface between Asia and Christianity in today’s circumstances, particularly in the field of social transformation. They will help to see and practice in a new light Christian mission, pastoral ministry, inter-religious relationships, social and educational engagement.

Editorial Board

There will be an Editorial Board of scholars drawn from Asia and other parts of the world. And there will be also an International Advisory Board.

Periodicity

The Journal will start as biannual. After a period of five years, it will be turned into a quarterly.

Publication & Marketing

To be able to reach out as widely as possible, the journal will tie-up with a well known international publisher who will promote and market it in Asia as well as in other continents.

Administration & Organization

The proposed Academy of International Journal of Asian Christian Studies will have its centre of operation at the Asian Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies (ACCS). A secretariat will be set up which will coordinate the work of editors, publishers and contributors. ACCS has experience in this matter. It houses also the secretariat of 50 year old international journal Concilium which is published in six European language editions and five times a year. The expertise of the Asian Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies will be channelized to organizing and coordinating work of International Journal of Asian Christian Studies.

Stages Leading to the Realization of the Project

1. An initial exploratory consultation will discuss the nature of the academy, its scope, membership, structure, functioning etc. It will also discuss the orientation to be adopted by the proposed journal and chalk out the guiding principles, nature, scope, readership. It will also explore possible publishing houses with whom the journal can tie-up for publication and marketing. The consultation will pool the names of scholars who could serve on the advisory board of the journal. It will also suggest a larger pool of names for membership in the academy and criteria to be part of it. 
2. Convocation of the first editorial board meeting. The editorial board will go deeper into the deliberations of the consultation and fine tune the orientation of the journal, its nature and scope. It will lay down the editorial policy and other technicalities for publication and distribution. The Academy and the journal will work in tandem.
3. The constitution of the Academy and selection of international office-bearers.
4. Publication of the first issue of the journal. March 2017.

  

Prof. Dr. Felix Wilfred

Founder-Director

Asian Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies

Chennai, India

Operational Structure of the JOURNAL

Chief Editor

·         Felix Wilfred

Associate Editors

·         Herman Teule (West Asia)

·         Sebastien Peyrouse (Central Asia)

·         Wesley Ariarajah (South Asia)

·         Jose Mario Francisco (South-East Asia)

·         Huang, Po-Ho (East Asia)

·         Wong, Angela Wai Ching **

Members of the Editorial Board

1.      Annie Kunnath

2.      Anri Morimoto

3.      Archie Lee

4.      Ataullah  Siddiqui

5.      Dieter Becker

6.      Edmund Chia

7.      Edward Xu

8.      Edmond Tang

9.      Francis X. Clooney

10.  Georg Evers

11.  Glenn Shive

12.  Gnana Patrick

13.  John Clammer

14.  John Prior

15.  Jonathan Y. Tan

16.  Jude Lal Fernando

17.  Julius Bautista

18.  Marshal Fernando

19.  Michael Amaladoss

20.  Paul Hwang

21.  Peter Phan

22.  Xing Ping

** We need to add a few women scholars. Could you kindly propose a few names?

 Advisory Board

David Suh

D. Preman Niles

Catelino Arevado

Philip L. Wickeri

Lee, Wing-On

Pushpa Joseph

(Could think of more people)

Institutional Members

Irish School of Economics - Jude Lal Fernando is exploring

Department of Christian Studies, University of Madras - confirmed

Ateneo de Manila University – Mario Francisco – could you confirm?

United Board for Christian Higher Education - Glenn – to be contacted

Woori Theological Institute (WTI), Korea – could be approached

Central Asia – Sebastien – Could you think of some institutions?

Middle East – Herman – Could you think of some institutions?

Vidyjyoti Theological College, India – could be included.........

More institutions are in the pipeline ....

** I have added the name of Dr. Wong, wia ching Angela from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, since there is no woman representative.

Great Gift of Festschrift from Friends

Gratefully Received the Precious Gift of Papers Contributed from Honorable International Friends 

新增說明文字

Doing Contextual Theologies in Asia
Essay in Honour of Huang Po Ho
Contents

Acknowledgement

Contributors

M. P. Joseph: Foreword

1. Fu Ya Wu: The Development of Contextual Theology and Po Ho's Contribution

2. Ya Tang Chuang: A Theological Hermeneutics of the Other for Inter-religious Dialogue

3. Wati Longchar: Asian Liberation Theology: Location and Methodology - An Indigenous Perspective

4. Edmund Kee-Fook Chia: Contextualizing Evangelii Gaudium in Asia

5. H.S. Wilson: Contextual Theologies to Theologies of Connectivity

6. K.C. Abraham: A renewed Call for Prophetic Ecumenism

7. S. Wesley Ariarajah: Towards a More Radically Indigenized Asian Christian Missiology

8. Hope S. Antone: Expanding Christian Education for Mission

9. Limatula Longkumer: Critical Pedagogy and Its Implication for Theological Education

10. Hong Jung Lee: "I am at the Mercy of the Rats": Seeking the Kenotic Interdependent Way of God's Economy of Life

11. Sze-kar Wan: Love and Violence: An Exegetical Reflection on Christian Political Engagement in Asia

12.Emanuel Gerrit Singgih: Trapped in a Contradiction: Buildings as Symbol of Service to Religion or to Community?

13. Atola Longkumer: Indigenous Religion/s in Asia: Enlarging Theological Curriculum

14. Dietrich Werner: Global Learning in Theological Education in The 21st century - Perspectives From WCC-ETE

Embracing the Household of God

My new book on "Embracing the Household of God -- A Paradigm Shift from Anthropocentric Tradition to Creation Responsibility in Doing Theology" is published as PTCA book series no. 7. This is a new shift of theological endeavors to a more inclusive and holistic concern of the mission of theology. Thanks to my good friends and brothers: Dr. Wati Longchar and Dr. M.P Joseph for their tireless works to bring this book out. The supports from ETE WCC for the publication is also appreciated. 

Doing Theologies in Asian Ways with Asian Resources (WCC GETI version)

Doing Theologies in Asian Ways with Asian Resources

-        An Introduction to A Theological Movement Launched by PTCA

Keynote Speak for Global Ecumenical Theological Education (GETI) Program

WCC Busan Assembly Meeting, Seoul Korea

Oct. 28, 2013

by Dr. Huang Po Ho

Dean of PTCA, Moderator of AFTE and Vice President & Prof. of CJCU

Introduction

The attempt to formulate theologies and to implement theological education in Asia, can be dated back to the arrival and establishment of Christians of Oriental Orthodox tradition, and multiplied with successive Christian sojourn to Asia, of Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian missions from Europe and North America. Theological education carried out as institutes of professional higher education has been operated in many of Asian countries for more than a century. Because of the Christian mission legacy, theological education systems implemented in Asia are mostly modeled after theological schools from western countries in all their structures, disciplines and curricula.

Over the years, despite of many challenges and arguments for new form of theological education and many conferences which have been held to urge that transformation be made for traditional models of theological education, there is still ongoing search for appropriate theological education to meet the contemporary ministerial and social challenges voiced by theological faculties, students and church leaders.

Encouraged by the internal conditions of the church mission developments, and the external challenges caused by the international power remapping, an identity awareness of being “Asian” Christian was begun to emerge in Asian Christian communities after Second World War. Theological educators in Asia came together to form associations for theological schools to encourage personnel exchanges, resources sharing, and shaping solidarity for theological development in Asia. Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA) was formed in 1957 and increased its members from 16 in the beginning, to 102 at its apex. Asian Theological Association (ATA) was formed in 1970 and has 128 accredited members and 64 associated members. Both associations are committed to the idea of “train Asian in Asia”, while ATESEA has stressed on contextual orientation for theological construction.  College of Serampore was established even dated back to 1818 to provide collegiate education to students in the Faculties of Arts, Science and Commerce through affiliation with the University of Calcutta, as well higher theological education to the ministers of the churches through its Faculty of Theology to affiliated colleges in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

It was in the midst of this background, that the Programme for Theology and Cultures in Asia (PTCA) was given birth as a theological movement to the service of contextual theological formation and theological education in Asia.