Theology Without Walls: An Assessment and Critique

In 1982 Robert Neville wrote, “The encounter of Christianity with the world’s other religions has shaken Christian theology to its foundations.” One recent response to this trauma is the so-called “theology without walls” movement, in which Neville has been an active participant. Unlike another response, namely comparative theology (which remains “confessional” or married to the truth of one’s starting or “home” religion), theology without walls is willing and eager to explore other religions—even non-religious sources—in what Jerry Martin calls “an effort to understand ultimate reality as fully as possible.”

Papers are invited for a special issue of Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry (SHERM Journal) on the claims, achievements, challenges, failings, and the very possibility or desirability of a theology without walls. Papers from any discipline, including theology, philosophy of religion, anthropology, cognitive science, etc., are welcome, as are papers written from the perspective of other faith traditions outside of Christianity. The submission date is open, but ideally collected papers would be delivered to the journal no later than Spring 2024.

For more information on the "Theology Without Walls" movement, visit:

https://theologywithoutwalls.com/