Teaching theology in culturally diverse contexts: Foundations for an intercultural model of theological education

For Catholics in the United States the conversation between faith and culture has been largely shaped by the effort to understand what it means to be American and Catholic. The many directions in which the conversation has moved throughout the years significantly correlate with how American Catholics have interpreted the implications of living their faith in lo cotidiano (the everyday) while participating in the cultural and socio-political processes that identify the American project in its multifaceted dimensions. One of the central loci where this conversation unfolds is the Catholic university, particularly through the work of Catholic theologians.; This dissertation is an exercise of practical theology that looks at theological education in culturally diverse contexts like the United States. Such diversity demands that we educate the next generation of theologians and ministers to be responsive and responsible to the challenges of our context. Therefore, Catholic theological education in the United States must be done interculturally.; Chapter 1 provides a historical overview of the major developments in Catholic theology in the United States since 1965 until 2005. Chapter 2 analyzes the complexity of the American context as one that that is simultaneously postmodern, pluralistic, and multicultural. Chapter 3 engages the projects of theologian David Tracy, philosopher Raul Fornet-Betancourt, and intercultural theorist Thomas K. Nakayama in order to establish the theoretical foundations for an Intercultural Model of Theological Education. Chapter 4 explores the anthropological, ethical, ecclesial, socio-political, and pedagogical dimensions of theological education in culturally diverse contexts. Chapter 5 introduces the Intercultural Model of Theological Education, which is based on five dynamics that envision a complementary relationship between the theological conversations that take place within the various, diverse faith communities that constitute the Church and the academic processes that emerge to advance scholarly inquiry in conversation with those conversations. The ultimate goal of this model is to further the conversation between faith and culture affirming the gift of diversity while acknowledging the uniqueness of our historical moment: today.