6.2 Faith and Reason

Global Christianity and Interreligious Dialogue

Absolutism – certain truths are absolute, non-negotiable

Relativism – truth is relative, what may be right to one person or culture may not be right for another

Inculturation – absolute truth can look different when translated into different cultures

Pluralism – coexistence of systems making mutually exclusive claims

Principled dialogue – respectful dialogue with others without downplaying differences

Secularism

Separation

• The word itself does not originally mean absence of religion or antagonism toward religion

Opposite of integration

• “integrated liberal arts”
• “integral, quality education”
• “educate for service, justice, peace, and integrity of creation”

Separation of church and state

• Principle popular among Thomas Jefferson and other founders, but those words not stated in Constitution or Declaration of Independence
• “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Separation of private sphere and public sphere

Separation of religion and science

Separation of different parts of an individual’s life

Religious Identity Vocabulary

Atheism – there is no god (literally, lack of gods)

Agnosticism – the existence or nature of God is not known or knowable (literally, lack of knowledge)

Deism – the idea that God created the laws of the universe but then left it alone to play itself out

Cultural Christian – valuing Christianity as part of one’s culture without believing the supernatural claims

Nones – None of the Above, reluctance to identify with any system or specific claims

Spiritual but not religious – the practices and teachings of organized religions do not work as advertised

Second Theology Courses Offered Spring 2027

TH 3311. The First Five Books of the Bible

TH 3320. Introduction to New Testament

TH 3353. Health Care and Medical Ethics

TH 3380. Major Themes in the History of Christianity: Eco-Spirituality

TH 3384. Theology in the Southwest

TH 3391. The Phenomenon of Religious Pilgrimage: Mexico City (Spring Break, $2975 program fee includes housing, meals, insurance, and all activities).