Experience, Culture and Religion in Systematic Theology: An Integrative and Pluriform Methodology

By: Edmond Zi-Kang Chua

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Synopsis: Most systematicians take as their starting point the nature of God, and scripture as the means by which God's nature is revealed, but what would a systematic theology look like that began with an experiential knowledge of God? Here, Edmond Chua offers a method for just such an approach. Beginning with realms of human experience including psychology, cultural diversity and religious plurality, he builds the framework of a systematic theology that is inclusive and pluriform, while retaining the core tenets of a Christian doctrine of God. Notwithstanding his novel methodology, Chua's argument remains biblically rooted and appreciative of the Christian tradition. In the latter half of the book he returns to the classical doctrines of the Trinity, Christology, evil, sin and salvation, allowing his inclusive view of the human religious experience to shed new light on the wisdom bequeathed by Paul, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Barth, and others. The result is a bold Christian vision that is culturally engaged and globally applicable, of interest to systematic theologians while contributing to interreligious dialogue.