Contemporary Issues of Migration and Theology (Christianities of the World)

Along with globalization migration poses unprecedented challenges to the Christian churches in the fields of constructive theology, ethics, spirituality, mission, ministry, interreligious dialogue, and theological education. How can the Christian churches successfully meet these challenges posed by global migratory movements? In suggesting ways that help the churches fulfill this task, the essays in this volume draw from a variety of streams of thought, including liberationist, postmodern, and postcolonial theologies, and from a wide range of contexts, such as the U.S., Latin America, and Asia. They probe new ways of interpreting the Bible, the contributions of migrants to Christianity, the function of the city in religious developments, ways of being Christian, Christian mission, theological method, and theological education. The result is a theology of migration that is appropriate for the emerging World Christianity, as its approach is interdisciplinary, interdenominational, interreligious, and intercontinental.

The third volume seeks to discuss in depth some of the key issues that migration poses to World Christianity in the fields of constructive theology, ethics, spirituality, mission, ministry, inculturation, interreligious dialogue, and theological education. It will draw from liberational, postmodern, and postcolonial streams of thought. How can the discipline of theology within the area of World Christianity address the challenges that the globe faces as a result of frictions among people groups caused by migratory patterns? This volume will respond to the quandaries of globalization with combined interreligious, interdenominational, interdisciplinary, and intercontinental approaches to theologies of migration. It will provide various models that reconceptualize the urban 'center' in light of migrations' globalizing decentering patterns, including innovative methods of theological education.

Elaine Padilla is Assistant Professor at the New York Theological SeminaryPeter C. Phan is the Ignacio Ellacuría Chair of Catholic Social Thought, Theology Department, Georgetown University