LWF Consultation on New Challenges for Christian-Muslim Relations New Models for Dialogue in a Multifaith Society
BREKLUM, Germany/GENEVA, 30 November 2006 (LWI) - New challenges for Christian-Muslim relations will be the focus of a theological consultation from 1 to 3 December at the Christian-Jensen-Kolleg in Breklum, Germany.
Around 30 participants from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches, partner organizations and mission societies worldwide will discuss theological questions facing churches in view of current developmen ts in Christian-Muslim relations, with an aim to outlining theological perspectives.
The LWF Department for Theology and Studies (DTS) has organized the consultation in cooperation with the North Elbian Mission Center (NMZ). Its theme is "Beyond Toleration? Assessing and responding to the new challenges in Christian-Muslim Relations."
Prof. Viggo Mortensen, director of the Center for Multireligious Studies in Aarhus Denmark, will deliver the opening address titled, "Orientalism and Occidentalism: The Cartoon Crisis as an Inspiration for Dialogue." An analysis of the situation in Europe will be followed by reports on the current situation in countries with a Christian minority. Suad Younan will speak on the situation in the Palestinian territories, Rev. Manmasih Ekka will report from India, and Limantina Sihaloho from Indonesia.
Other participants come from Brazil, Germany, Finland, Kenya, Latvia, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, Tanzania and the United States. They all have long-term experience in Christian-Muslim dialogue in their respective countries, and recognize the difficulties and opportunities arising for Christians from the dialogue with Muslims. Their deliberations will focus on ways in which the churches can respond to the changing conditions in Christian-Muslim relations.
"The focus here is not Christian-Muslim relations per se, but on the theological questions that this issue poses for churches, especially those within the Lutheran communion, and how these questions might be addressed. Attention especially needs to be given to the theological implications for churches," stresses Rev. Dr Karen Bloomquist, DTS director. In European countries there is greater awareness of the fact that Muslims live here on a permanent basis and are part of society. The cultural and political consequences of this issue have been a matter of public discussion. "But the theological challenges connected to that have to be kept in mind as well," she says. Exchanging views from the churches' different contexts is equally important.
The NMZ secretary for theology, Dr Dietrich Werner, points out that the North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church has gained experience in the dialogue with Muslims over three decades. "The situation here in the northern part of the world differs in some respects from that in southern countries. Nevertheless the churches face a lot of theological questions that are similar." He says an important theological issue at the consultati on will be the question on the significance of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity in the dialogue with Muslims.
Rev. Dr Detlef Goerrig, NMZ staff, and since September 2006 responsible for Christian-Muslim dialogue in the North Elbian church, expects the consultation to demonstrate how timely and necessary it is to engage with questions concerning cooperation between Christians and Muslims. In a statement titled, "In guter Nachbarschaft" (Good Neighborly Relations), issued in February this year, the North Elbian church synod requests the congregations "to seek contact with mosque communities in their neighborhoo ds or to deepen existing relations."
The LWF consultation now offers the opportunity "to compare experiences in Christian-Muslim dialogue from completely different countries and cultures, and to reflect on them theologically," says Goerrig. Such an exchange is essential "in order to be reassured of one's own Lutheran identity and position in an increasingly multicultural and multifaith society," he adds. (591 words)
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(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 140 member churches in 78 countries all over the world, with a total membership of 66.2 million. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)
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