Overview

Often Christian interfaith engagement has been viewed through the lense of theology of religions where the primary questions are often about the salvific destiny of people of other faiths. 'Faith, Hope and Love' offers an alternative approach asking how do Christian interfaith practitioners live out their discipleship in a multi-faith world? And what, theologically, is being expressed in their activity? Demonstrating a new and innovative approach to interfaith engagement, this book argues for theological reflection on the multi faith reality of our society to focus on the practice of Christian interfaith engagement, drawing on the methodology of practical theology to explore the impact of encounter on Christian self-understanding. It suggests that other faith traditions are no longer a theological problem to be solved or people to be ‘saved’ but a potential ‘means of grace’ in which the Christian disciple learns more about God and grows in their relationship with Christ. Part 1 Towards a Practical Theology of Interfaith Engagement 1. Faith, Hope and Love – Pedagogy for Interfaith Engagement 2. Beyond New Contestations – A Practical Theological Challenge to Particularists and Pluralists 3. Interfaith Engagement, Non-Violence and the Way of Salvation Part 2 Challenging Islamophobia, Affirming Multiculturalism 4. Challenging Islamophobia – A Practical Theological Reflection 5. Rejoicing in the Truth – A Practical Theological Affirmation of Multiculturalism

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9780334054597

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Reviews

In his creative use of narrative, plus critical reflections on Inter-faith theory and practice, Gaston offers us an immensely intelligent and insightful text for the complex realities of our post Brexit age. -- Anthony Reddie In this book Ray Gaston gives us his own personal and inspiring vision for thinking about a Christian relationship to people of other religions in a diverse world. His reflections on a practical theology of religions address new directions and reframe many of the academic debates, yet also show how the classical typology (exclusivisms-inclusivisms-pluralisms) can be used as a tool for guidance in understanding day to day encounters and worldviews. The book is also shaped by Gaston's direct experience of working and living alongside Muslim colleagues as a parish priest, student, and theological educator. This feeds richly into the second part of the book where he addresses Islamophobia and multiculturalism, giving many practical and real life examples and case studies to show the application, relevance, and basis for his arguments. In particular he gives a Christian reading of why we should embrace multiculturalism and diversity as a positive, drawing from biblical exegesis and theological reflection. This book brings new concepts and further depth to existing ideas to the table. It will be of interest both to academic scholars of the theology of religions and related areas, but also to Christian priests, laypeople, educators, and anyone engaged in the religious diversity of our world and the way that it may be approached positively from a religious point of view. Highly recommended. -- Paul Hedges

In his creative use of narrative, plus critical reflections on Inter-faith theory and practice, Gaston offers us an immensely intelligent and insightful text for the complex realities of our post Brexit age. -- Anthony Reddie In this book Ray Gaston gives us his own personal and inspiring vision for thinking about a Christian relationship to people of other religions in a diverse world. His reflections on a practical theology of religions address new directions and reframe many of the academic debates, yet also show how the classical typology (exclusivisms-inclusivisms-pluralisms) can be used as a tool for guidance in understanding day to day encounters and worldviews. The book is also shaped by Gaston's direct experience of working and living alongside Muslim colleagues as a parish priest, student, and theological educator. This feeds richly into the second part of the book where he addresses Islamophobia and multiculturalism, giving many practical and real life examples and case studies to show the application, relevance, and basis for his arguments. In particular he gives a Christian reading of why we should embrace multiculturalism and diversity as a positive, drawing from biblical exegesis and theological reflection. This book brings new concepts and further depth to existing ideas to the table. It will be of interest both to academic scholars of the theology of religions and related areas, but also to Christian priests, laypeople, educators, and anyone engaged in the religious diversity of our world and the way that it may be approached positively from a religious point of view. Highly recommended. -- Paul Hedges The book is well named. Ray Gaston's faith shines through its pages (this is not a dry `academic' abstract but penned from the perspective of someone who on a daily basis lives and ministers what he writes about); it gives me hope that in this time of hardening attitudes there is a vital role for interreligious engagement to play; and `the greatest of these' is indeed love - I have realised more clearly than before that such engagement is not an optional extra for we who call ourselves Christians, but an expression of the vulnerable and kenotic love which lies at the very centre of our faith. -- Clare Amos

Author Information

Ray Gaston is Team Vicar of St Chad & St Marks in the Parish of Central Wolverhampton and Inter Faith Enabler for the Wolverhampton Episcopal Area and Advisor on Inter Faith relations to the Bishops of Wolverhampton and Lichfield. He is an Associate Tutor in Inter Faith Engagement at the Queens Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham and has served in parish ministry in multi faith areas in Leeds, Birmingham and Wolverhampton. He is author of ‘A Heart Broken Open – Radical Faith in an Age of Fear’ (2010) and a member of CTBI’s Inter Faith Theological Advisory Group.

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