MACMILLAN Post-Christian Interreligious Liberation Theology

This book explores the ideals of liberation theology from the perspectives of major religious traditions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and the neo-Vedanta and Advaita Hindu traditions. The goal of this volume is not to explain the Christian liberation theology tradition and then assess whether the non-Christian liberation theologies meet the Christian standards. Rather, authors use comparative/interreligious methodologies to offer new insights on liberation theology and begin a dialogue on how to build interreligious liberation theologies. The goal is to make liberation theology more inclusive of religious diversity beyond traditional Christian categories.  Review “Unleashed on the world largely through Christian inspiration, theologies of liberation and theologies of interreligious dialogue are needing now to break out of their original constraints. Yet in a self-conscious global setting it is the whole world that is need of liberation and that means that the contributions of the religions to this are best enacted through a process of interreligious dialogue and shared praxis. This book demonstrates how different religious visions of liberation and dialogue are inextricably bound together both within and between religions – for the benefit of the religions themselves but ultimately for the good of the world as a whole. The reader will be genuinely surprised and challenged by what they discover here.” (Alan Race, retired priest-theologian with the Anglican Church and author of numerous books on theology of religions and interreligious dialogue.) “Enlarging the symbols, stories and concepts of liberation theology beyond a Christian hegemony, this volume’s varied religious voices construct a much-needed resource for our interconnected, pluralistic world: a liberation theology transformed by the perspectives of multiple religious traditions.” (Holly Hillgardner, Associate Professor in Religious Studies, Bethany College, USA) “Liberation theology, even after decades, remains associated with Latin American and Black Christian theologies. Might there be other modes of liberation theology, even post-Christian ones? This wide-ranging book offers and performs a definitive yes. The authors in this volume draw on a wide range of traditions and figures to offer versions of liberation theology that emerge from Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Christian-Muslim, and even First Nations voices. No other comparable volume exists. Still more, this volume not only contributes to liberation theology but also testifies to the power of comparative theology to transform and reanimate older conversations. The very existence of this project in comparative liberation theology heralds the mutual transformation of both communities too long separated. Readers will be richly rewarded by joining this conversation.” (John J. Thatamanil, Associate Professor of Theology and World Religions, Union Theological Seminary, USA)   From the Back Cover This book explores the ideals of liberation theology from the perspectives of major religious traditions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and the neo-Vedanta and Advaita Hindu traditions. The goal of this volume is not to explain the Christian liberation theology tradition and then assess whether the non-Christian liberation theologies meet the Christian standards. Rather, authors use comparative/interreligious methodologies to offer new insights on liberation theology and begin a dialogue on how to build interreligious liberation theologies. The goal is to make liberation theology more inclusive of religious diversity beyond traditional Christian categories. About the Author Hussam S. Timani is Professor of Philosophy and Religion and Co-Director of the Middle East and North Africa Studies Program at Christopher Newport University, USA.   Loye Sekihata Ashton is Visiting Associate Professor of Research (