Overview

This study investigates how a comparison between the Catholic theologian Edward Schillebeeckx's controversial reading of Thomist philosophy and the Tibetan Buddhist Gendun Chopel's challenge to the standard Geluk teaching of Tsongkhapa's Madhyamaka philosophy might assist in rethinking conceptions of religious knowledge. Utilizing a wide variety of methodical approaches to establish an imaginary dialogue between these two thinkers, this comparison remains embodied in the thought and praxis of actual individuals, and yet still firmly embedded within the conversations and trajectories of their broader religious traditions.

Full Product Details

Author:   Dr Jason M. VonWachenfeldt (Lawrenceville School, USA) ,  Frederiek Depoortere ,  O P ,  Stephan Van Erp (Ku Leuven Belgium)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   T.& T.Clark Ltd
ISBN:  

9780567699350

ISBN 10:   0567699358
Pages:   264
Publication Date:   22 September 2022
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
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Table of Contents

Introduction The Problem of Objective Truth and the Threat of Relativism for Religious Practitioners in the Modern World Chapter 1 Comparative Theology, Religious Diversity, and the Question of Ultimate Truth Chapter 2 The Bridge Concept and Its Materials Chapter 3 The Histories of Individuals, and the Context for Their Ideas Chapter 4 The Roles of Individual Intellect and the Collective Intelligence of the Community in Knowledge Formation Chapter 5 The Role of the Historical Founders of Religious Traditions in Shaping and Conveying Religious Knowledge, Meaning, and Truth for Contemporary Believers Chapter 6 The Role and Authority of Personal Experience in the Apophatic Knowledge of Ultimate Reality Conclusion Possible Madhyamaka Implications for Catholic Theology Bibliography Index

Reviews

VonWachenfeldt brilliantly explores the creative theories of religious experience and knowledge proposed by Schillebeeckx and Chopel in contexts of widespread doubt where traditional authority was questioned. Respecting their important differences, he demonstrates how Christian and Tibetan Buddhist perspectives can challenge and enrich each other. This is a major contribution to Buddhist-Christian scholarship. -- Leo D. Lefebure, Professor of Theology, Georgetown University, USA There is no better way to do fundamental theology in a relativist culture than comparatively. First, introduce two large thinkers of different traditions. Then ask neutral bridge questions: how do they handle historical perspective, dynamics of interpretation, negative dialectics, and openness to the future? Jason VonWachenfeldt concludes this study of Schillebeeckx and Chopel with a brilliant constructive justification of truth claims in a pluralist context. -- Roger Haight, S.J., Union Theological Seminary, New York Von Wachenfeldt’s robust comparative analysis of two figures across the Christian and Buddhist worlds demonstrates how rewarding such cross-cultural encounters are in today’s global world. The thematic focus on the nature of religious knowledge and experience in the context of historical consciousness makes this work critical for contemporary Catholic theology. -- Francisca Cho, Professor, Georgetown University, USA How to embrace the relativizing social construction of all truth-claims without sliding down the slippery slopes of relativism? Von Wachenfeldt answers that question by engaging two contemporary scholars, one Catholic (Schillebeeckx) and the other Tibetan (Chopel), in an intriguing and illuminating conversation. An example of comparative theology at its best. -- Paul Knitter, Union Theological Seminary, USA

VonWachenfeldt brilliantly explores the creative theories of religious experience and knowledge proposed by Schillebeeckx and Chopel in contexts of widespread doubt where traditional authority was questioned. Respecting their important differences, he demonstrates how Christian and Tibetan Buddhist perspectives can challenge and enrich each other. This is a major contribution to Buddhist-Christian scholarship. -- Leo D. Lefebure, Professor of Theology, Georgetown University, USA There is no better way to do fundamental theology in a relativist culture than comparatively. First, introduce two large thinkers of different traditions. Then ask neutral bridge questions: how do they handle historical perspective, dynamics of interpretation, negative dialectics, and openness to the future? Jason VonWachenfeldt concludes this study of Schillebeeckx and Chopel with a brilliant constructive justification of truth claims in a pluralist context. -- Roger Haight, S.J., Union Theological Seminary, New York Von Wachenfeldt's robust comparative analysis of two figures across the Christian and Buddhist worlds demonstrates how rewarding such cross-cultural encounters are in today's global world. The thematic focus on the nature of religious knowledge and experience in the context of historical consciousness makes this work critical for contemporary Catholic theology. -- Francisca Cho, Professor, Georgetown University, USA How to embrace the relativizing social construction of all truth-claims without sliding down the slippery slopes of relativism? Von Wachenfeldt answers that question by engaging two contemporary scholars, one Catholic (Schillebeeckx) and the other Tibetan (Chopel), in an intriguing and illuminating conversation. An example of comparative theology at its best. -- Paul Knitter, Union Theological Seminary, USA

Author Information

Jason VonWachenfeldt is the Chair for the Religion and Philosophy Department at The Lawrenceville School, USA.

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