TH 664 - Comparative Theology: Its History and Methods

(3.00 cr.)

Surveys the Christian encounter with other religions in the Bible, Patristic and medieval theology, and the early modern missions to the Americas, Africa, and Asia. In doing so, the course provides the historical and theoretical background of the development of Catholicism as a global, multicultural religion in dialogue with Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, and various indigenous religious traditions. Topics include controversies over Christian uniqueness, debates about the salvation of non-Christians, conceptions of grace and virtue in other religious traditions, and the comparative anthropology of religion.