Abstract
This essay reflects on the implications of my mandate to guide seminary students "to think creatively and responsibly about how to proclaim the Christian gospel in multi-cultural contexts with a sensitivity to interfaith perspectives." I ask the question, What does it mean for Christian seminarians--and Christians generally--to engage adherents of other faiths with sensitivity to their perspectives? I offer a general definition of "sensitivity" and distinguish Christian sensitivity from other kinds, in that it is informed by the revelation of God in Jesus Christ and the continuing presence of the Holy Spirit in the living heritage of the Christian faith. I set forth three obligations in interreligious relations: (1) Christians must understand other religions as they are; (2) Christians must recognize "the good things" in other religions; and (3) Christians must be prepared to receive critiques from other religions. I also discuss whether Christians might learn something new from other religions, something not contained in the Christian heritage. I conclude with an application of 1 Corinthians 13 to interreligious relations.
DOI
10.7252/Journal.01.2012F.04
Recommended Citation
Numrich, Paul D.
(2012)
"Christian Sensitivity in Interreligious Relation,"
The Asbury Journal:
Vol. 67:
No.
2, p. 51-83.
Available at:
https://place.asburyseminary.edu/asburyjournal/vol67/iss2/6
Included in
Missions and World Christianity Commons, Other Religion Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons
