How Does Theology Go Public? Rethinking the Debate between David Tracy and George Lindbeck

In: Political theology, Volume 5, Issue 3, p. 307-327

Abstract

The possibilities for taking theological ethics 'public' have taken on added significance amidst debates over the nature of moral norms. If realist theological ethics can find a public voice, it will enhance the prospects for interreligious ethical collaboration & the place of theology in it. A key question remains whether particular contexts of religious symbols render them meaningful only within communities of 'origin', or particularity actually enables broadly compelling meaning or a public voice for theology. At issue in the Tracy-Lindbeck debate are their understandings of 'public', their responses to philosophical anti-foundationalism, & their theological presuppositions. While postliberal emphases on the distinctiveness of the Christian community & attention to the ecclesial community complement Tracy's emphases on dialogue & coherence, Tracy's recent methods provide more adequate responses to the challenges posed by postmodernism. 26 References. Adapted from the source document.