Salvation as Praxis: A Practical Theology of Salvation for a Multi-Faith World

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Will people of other faiths be saved and to what extent should the response to this question shape Christian engagements with people of other faiths Historically, the predominant answer to these questions has been that the person of another faith will not be saved and is therefore in need of conversion to Christianity for their salvation to be possible. Consequently, it has been understood to be the obligation of Christian persons to convert people of other faiths. More recent theologies of religions for the past half century and more have sought to reconsider these approaches to soteriology. This has sometimes led to a reaffirmation of the status quo and at other times to an alternative soteriological understanding. In seeking to articulate soteriologies that make logical and doctrinal sense, too often these new approaches to salvation and people of other faiths have paid little attention to questions of practice. Drawing on alternative understandings of soteriology as deification, healing, and liberation, each perspective having ancient roots in the Christian tradition, it is argued that salvation can be understood as form of concrete earthly practice. Understood in this way, this book considers how these alternative theologies of salvation might shape Christian practices in a way that departs from a history in which the person of another faith has been perceived as a threat to Christianity and therefore in need of conversion. Further it asks how the complex multi-faith world of the twenty-first century might better inform and shape the way in which Christian theologies frame soteriological understandings.

Reviews

Morris synthesizes this work to contribute constructively to several fields, including soteriology and theology of religious pluralism. The book also fills a significant gap by offering a progressive theology of mission for the twenty-first century. I highly recommend this volume. -- Michelle Voss Roberts, Wake Forest University School of Divinity, USA * Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology *
[Wayne Morris'] emphasis on concrete practice as the starting point for communion with others is commendable, as is his respect for diversity. -- Benjamn Lujn, University of Toronto, Canada * Theological Book Review *
What marks out Morriss work is that his claim to be offering practical theology is exactly that theology that is worked out as it is lived rather than given and applied. Would that more theology was like this ... This gem of a book has a simple idea that is well developed and offers much fruit to the reader. It deserves to be widely read, and then worked through in practice. * Modern Believing *

Author Bio

Dr Wayne Morris is Senior Lecturer in Contextual and Practical Theology and Deputy Head of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Chester, UK.