Theologians From 22 Countries Form Anglican Contextual Theologians Network
Episcopal News Service. June 13, 2003 [2003-139J]
A consultation of Anglican contextual theologians was held in May, 2003 at the Episcopal Divinity School, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Thirty-four theologians from 22 countries participated in the consultation.
Organized by Dr. Denise Ackermann (South Africa), the Rev. Sathianathan Clarke (India), the Rev. Ian Douglas (USA), and Dr. Jenny Plane Te Paa (Aotearoa-New Zealand), the aim of the consultation was to establish a voluntary network of Anglican Contextual Theologians (ACTs network) and to provide a forum in which multiple theological voices in the Anglican Communion could be heard and acknowledged.
'This consultation was a response to emerging concerns on the part of these leaders and others, including theological educators,' explained Douglas. 'Those concerns included the insufficiency of current resources available for theological education for both the laity and the ordained as well as the need for contextual theologians, who are grounded in a variety of cultural settings from around the Communion, to come together for mutual support and challenging theological engagement and the deep value and depth their varied voices and perspectives on the lived experience of God's grace and love would add to inter-Anglican meetings and conversations.'
The consultation took the form of group and plenary discussions around definitions and methodologies of contextual theology. It identified issues of particular concern to members' contexts and their relevance for theological education. Four key issues were discussed, including: the dehumanizing effects of poverty, globalization and its marginalizing effects on small nation-states, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and war and violence. Challenges of interfaith realities were also considered.
'The ACTS gathering was a privileged opportunity for me to take a leadership role in bringing together a very diverse group of Anglican theologians all of whom share a commitment to doing theology contextually,' said Jenny Plane Te Paa, Ahorangi (or Dean) of Te Rau Kahikatea, New Zealand. 'While definitions and understandings varied quite widely, the conference was a very significant starting point for a global conversation among Anglican contextual theologians. The significance of the gathering has since been underscored by reports from the Primates meeting which clearly indicate a powerful and priority commitment by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates to theological education. For me contextual theological education provides a much-needed tool for helping me to teach students how to 'do' theology as much as it enables me to continue to simply teach students theology. The difference is both subtle and profound.'
The process adopted by the consultation reflected an evolving theological method, resulting in a broad conversational agenda for the group. The consultation sought to develop a working understanding of the nature of contextual theology and its potential contribution to the life of the Anglican Communion.