The place of Christian theology in the academy today

Abstract

Although Christian theology has been taught in the ancient universities of Europe since their foundation, its presence is intermittently questioned within a more secular culture. Despite this scepticism, several arguments can be offered in support of its retention as a robust confessional discipline. These include the following: the continuing interest in the subject albeit under significantly altered conditions; the spread of Christianity in the global south with its international significance; the abiding significance of the normative questions tackled by theology and the need to foster their pursuit in a multi-disciplinary academy; and the contribution that theology can make to our institutions through its multiple connections with faith communities in democratic and pluralist societies. Finally, attention is paid to the risks to the church in detaching the training of ordinands from academic study.