wfn.org | LWI 2009-045 Christian and Muslim Theologians Seek Common Understanding on Freedom and Responsibilit

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Christian and Muslim Theologians Seek Common Understanding on Freedom and  Responsibility LWF Joint Theological Study for Constructive Interfaith Relations

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia/GENEVA, 6 August 2009 (LWI) - Christian and Muslim  scholars participating in a Lutheran World Federation (LWF) consultation  in Indonesia's south-central region of Java deliberated perspectives on  the understanding of freedom and responsibility for theology, faith  identity and mutual relations for common good in society.

"There is a long history of argument about the relationship between human  freedom and responsibility, on the one hand, and God's creative agency and  sovereignty, on the other-both within the Christian tradition and within  the Islamic tradition, but occasionally spilling over into Christian-Muslim  discussions," said Prof. Mark Swanson of the Lutheran School of Theology  at Chicago, USA.

Swanson was among the 23 theologians attending the 15-20 June dialogue  meeting organized by the LWF Department for Theology and Studies (DTS) in  cooperation with the Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies  (CRCS) and the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS) at the  University Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta.

"We struggle as Christians and Muslims to live out our faith so that  freedom will be exerted and meet the challenge posed by our time," said  Rev. Dr Martin Sinaga, DTS study secretary for Theology and the Church. He  introduced the international dialogue on the topic "Freedom and Responsibil ity in Society: Joint Theological Explorations by Christians and  Muslims."

>Faith Perspectives

Freedom is perceived as a God-given gift in Islam. A guest lecturer at the  ICRS Dr Amina Wadud (USA) spoke about the Qur'an's emphasis on "the need  and mandate for freedom from oppression." Prof. Osman Tastan, teaching at  Ankara University, Turkey, explained the Qur'an was the principal source  of Islamic law, primarily underlining the right to life, equality,  solidarity and justice.

The Bible speaks about "freedom from" as a liberating act - from sin, the  law, the past and its binding force - said Dr Hans-Peter Grosshans,  professor of systematic theology at Muenster University, Germany. However,  there is a corresponding creative act of "freedom to"  - come to God, love  and take on responsibility, hope, and contribute to shaping the future.

Pastor Saliba Rishmawi from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and  the Holy Land (ELCJHL) explained how ELCJHL's educational and social  institutions further freedom and responsibility in society and strengthen  interfaith relations.

In his presentation on the culture of "shame" and "guilt," ICRS director  Prof. Bernard Adeney-Risakotta, argued that shame as a dominant factor in  social interaction for Christians, Muslims and others in Indonesia,  affected perception and reaction to moral challenges such as corruption or  sexual behavior. In contrast, the guilt notion internalizes moral norms  and is thus driven by an individual sense to choose right or wrong.

>Challenges

ICRS associate director Dr Siti Syamsiyatun presented a paper on a recent  "silent revolution" by Indonesian women to reclaim their freedom in  religious communities and society. "Entering higher training or education  in theology or Islamic studies has been a pivotal point for women to argue  for formal social recognition and authority to speak about religion in  their own right," she said.

Rev. Deborah Sinaga, the first woman superintendent in Indonesia's  Protestant Christian Batak Church, pleaded for male and female collaboratio n in transforming unjust gender relations.

Participants heard about the constitutional challenges for religious  freedom in Ethiopia and Indonesia at individual and community level. It  was noted that conflicts within one faith can be even more divisive than  disagreements between different faiths.

Tanzanian Lutheran pastor Dr Thomas Kangeizi, teaching Islam and interfaith  relations at the Lutheran Theological College in Ruhija, explained how  Christians and Muslims collaborate in caring for people affected by HIV  and AIDS in the country's northwestern region.

>Interreligious Dialogue

Sociologist Dr Ignas Kleden from the Indonesian Community for Democracy  highlighted the importance of formal democratic structures and an actively  engaged civil society in creating space for freedom and responsibility.  "In both education and religious life, the maturity of a person is  measured against the extent to which one has been released from total  dependence on external authority."

In a final, joint Christian-Muslim paper, ICRS professors J. B. Banawiratma  and Fatimah Husein argued for collaboration between people of different  faiths not only in academic circles, but also in religious communities and  society at large. Accepting the other's freedom, does not imply that the  different perspectives would remain isolated. "Interreligious dialogue is  the way to perform freedom and responsibility," they stated.

"This consultation in itself gave an example of how to live out freedom  and responsibility together with others," remarked Rev. Simone Sinn,  former DTS theological associate, citing the candid and constructive  interaction throughout the consultation. (763 words)

Read more about DTS "Theology and the Church" initiatives at: http://www.lu theranworld.org/What_We_Do/Dts/Programs/DTS-Theology-Church.html

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