This seminar puts existing forms of liturgical theology into dialogue with the “new comparative theology,” new theories of religion and religious plurality, and studies of multiple religious belonging and inter-rituality, in order to explore the questions: Is a comparative or inter-religious liturgical theology possible? If so, what forms would it take? And what might be gained by such a project?
Convener
Seminar Report 2020
Convener
James Farwell, Professor of Theology and Liturgy, Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal)
Members in Attendance
Brian Butcher, Claudio Carvalhaes, James Farwell, Ruth Langer, Martha Moore-Keish, Andrew Wright
Visitors in Attendance
Saya Ojiri
Description of Work
After discussion of Emma O’Donnell’s Remembering the Future, we considered five projects:
- a comparative account of Byzantine and Jewish liturgies (Ruth Langer)
- a consideration of applying comparative theological methods to intra-Orthodox differences (Brian Butcher)
- a book chapter on inter-religious prayer (Claudio Carvalhaes)
- a reflection on directions for a comparative theology around experiences in India (Martha Moore-Keish)
- a discussion of comparative themes in a sacramental theology illuminated by Dōgen Zen (James Farwell)
Other Work and Plans for the Future
The seminar intends to re-engage the constructive projects that were discussed this year.