Schleiermacher Unit, Theology and Religious Reflection Unit, and Tillich: Issues in Theology, Religion, and Culture Unit

Exploring Theological Genres

Systematic theology and the notion of systematicity have come under significant criticism in recent years, with many scholars noting the limitations and strictures of modern theological systems. For this session, we invite proposals that consider the various genres or literary forms that theological writing takes and the potential impacts such theological genres might have. We welcome in particular perspectives that attend to how culture, history, and religious traditions shape climate catastrophe and social crises. For instance, proposals might:

• explore sermons, meditations, personal narratives, lecture notes, or oral histories as sources of theological reflection on environmental justice
• develop original creative or constructive theological work
• constructively and/or critically engage the theological writings of Friedrich Schleiermacher or Paul Tillich
• consider the impact of theological poetics
• explore the literary forms that accompany emancipatory and liberative theological perspectives