The subject of this article is a question about a new narrative posed in the context of the concept of the second axial period of Ewert Cousins. Cousins links the emergence of a new narrative with the image of the Earth seen from space. This perspective poses a number of questions regarding the role of technology in the process of changing sensitivity, the role of interreligious dialogue in shaping future civilization and the role of spirituality in the context of combating the ecological crisis. The theoretical tools to explain these connections are: the tradition of media ecology and the concept of integral ecology.
Is a transreligious theology possible? A theology that is not beholden to any particular religious tradition? If so, what would it be? What would it look like? How would it be done? Perhaps more importantly, why would it be done? That is, whom would it be for? Is it a part of a larger (and perhaps privileged) pursuit of human philosophical wisdom and progress? Or are there real world communities in need of such a thing? Could it be helpful to religious traditions themselves? These are some of the questions pursued here. In response, I offer the possibility of an “interspiritual theology,” a theology that opens widely-in the spirit of exploration and hypothesis-to such questions, while aiming not to lose the heart of the theological endeavor, articulated by Evagrius of Pontus as, “The one who truly prays is a theologian; the one who is a theologian, prays truly.” As one possible strand of transreligious theological thought, interspiritual theology finds resonance with contemporary academic scholars Robert Neville, Wesley Wildman, John Thatamanil, Beverly Lanzetta and the late Raimon Panikkar, as well as real-world movements on the ground springing up outside of academia. Interspiritual theology is explained as being inter-religious, interdisciplinary, pragmatic, contemplative, and prophetic. An academic endeavor that is in partnership with (but not beholden to) religious traditions, in service to spiritual communities outside of academia, in dialogue with secular sciences, partaking of transformative wisdom, and committed to the prophetic task of service to humanity and the transformation of all of its social, cultural, political, and economic structures to reflect the deep human values of dignity, equality, compassion, love and wisdom-while also pursuing the transreligious project of understanding “as fully as possible the nature of ultimate reality.”
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