Call for Papers for ANPT
An International Conference (Online) on Doing Public Theologies in Asia: Prospects and Challenges
Responding to the ‘signs of the time’, Asian Christianity is called upon today to play a creative, active and meaningful role in the wider public, to contribute to the nurturance of democratic polity, public reason, common good, civil rights, citizenship, social justice and peace. Christianity has indeed been a significant player in Asia in the different domains associated with public life and common good. It has been a partaker of the ‘silent revolution’ of the subaltern people by educating and imparting awareness of civil and human rights, with its role to the emergence of an inchoate public sphere, and with its solidarity with the poor and the marginalised for their economic and social empowerment. It has indeed played a role in nurturing the rudiments of cracy in the different countries of Asia. These historical contributions make Asian Christianity even more responsible for the continuous maturing of democracy and alleviation of social evils, especially amidst the contemporary challenges.
One of the meaningful ways of being responsible today is to do ‘public theologies’ in the varying political and public contexts of Asian countries. It would help re-envision the self-identity of the Church as a public body with a renewed understanding of its relationship with the state, religious others, civil society and individuals. By way of initiating this public theology, the Asian Network for Public Theology (ANPT) is organising an international conference (online) on 01-02 February 2024. Link for online presentation will be sent to registered paper presenters and participants in due course of time.
As a first step, a call is made herewith to submit paper proposals of not more than 500 words, touching upon various aspects of the conference theme. Some of themes could be:
- Religions and Ideologies for Common Good
- Public theology: concept, history and relevance for Asian countries
- Social Teachings of the Churches: Public Theological Explorations
- Bible as a Public Book: Asian Perspectives
- Dialogue of Cultures and Religions: Prospects and Challenges
- Dialogue of Science and Religions, and Public Policies in Asia
- Asian Christianities and Asian States
- The Minority Question as Addressed by Christianity in Asia
- Asian Christianity and Religious Pluralism
- Asian Christianity and Civil Society
- Christianity and Education in Asian Countries
- Religions and Public Spheres in Asia
- Doing public theology of life in slums
The list certainly is not exhaustive. Those interested may find their own themes.
Paper proposals may kindly be sent to gnanapat@gmail.com
Dates to remember:
Deadline for submission of proposals: 15 September 2023
Announcement of selected papers: 30 September 2023
Full paper submissions: 15 January 2024
Selected papers with peer review process will be published with standard publishers.
Core Team
Dr. Gnana Patrick, Formerly Professor and Head (Dept of Christian Studies, University of Madras), 16,
Harris Road, Benson Town, Bengaluru, 560046, Ph: +91-9444825175, gnanapat@gmail.com
Dr. Lap Yan Kung, Professor, Divinity School of Chung Chi College, Chinese University of Hong Kong,
Shatin, Hong Kong, Ph: +852 39436474, kunglapyan@gmail.com
Dr. J. C. Paul Rohan, Professor, Dept of Christian Civilization, University of Jaffna, P.O. Box 57,
Thirunelvelly, Sri Lanka, Ph: +94 773792255, rohanpaul66@hotmail.com