"Public theology" involves theological reflection and practice by Christians in the public sphere. Recently, renowned sociology professor Dr. Fenggang Yang (杨凤岗) shared his insights on this topic during a lecture at the Nicodemus Truth-Seeking Fellowship (尼哥底母真理追寻会). He explored public theology from a sociological perspective, emphasizing its relevance in equipping churches and pastors to engage in public affairs and offering inspiration for their involvement.
During his lecture, Yang provided a detailed explanation of his understanding of public theology, identifying its core principles as interpreting tradition, engaging with society, and pursuing the common good. He highlighted several key characteristics of public theology:
1. A Theology with a Standpoint
Public theology originates from a Christian perspective, addressing public issues while maintaining a distinctly Christian stance. It simultaneously respects the diverse faith traditions of individuals. Public theology does not exclude participants from different denominations or theological backgrounds. Instead, it encourages them to engage in dialogue based on their respective traditions, using language that the public can comprehend.
2. Language Accessible to the Public
Yang emphasized the importance of using language that is understandable to the general public, avoiding technical jargon commonly used within the church. This accessibility applies not only to spoken languages such as Mandarin or English but also to expressions and concepts easily grasped by a wider audience. The goal of public theology is to help people understand the fundamental tenets of Christian faith, fostering greater public dialogue and comprehension.
3. Engaging in Public Issues and Proposing Solutions
Public theology actively addresses public issues in politics, culture, and society by proposing actionable solutions and guidelines. These recommendations are not solely aimed at benefiting Christianity but also contribute to the common good of society as a whole.
Yang pointed out that Christianity inherently possesses a public dimension. As a sociologist, he typically refrains from theological discussions, given the humility required by the social sciences. However, he acknowledged that the social and public nature of religion, particularly Christianity, cannot be ignored. Every Christian possesses social attributes—such as gender, age, ethnicity, and social class—that are inescapable and inherently tied to their identity.
Furthermore, Christianity, as a social institution, interacts dynamically with other societal systems such as politics, economics, education, family, health, and technology. Within its own framework, Christianity has distinct organizational structures and decision-making mechanisms that influence and are influenced by other religions and societal institutions.
Yang concluded that public theology must not only interpret Christian traditions but also actively engage with society by proposing solutions that aim to promote the common good. He expressed hope that such discussions would inspire more specialized researchers to delve deeply into public theology, fostering broader sharing and offering robust support for Christians engaging in public affairs.
The lecture on "public theology" brought together pastors and scholars from Chinese-speaking churches in China, Taiwan, the United States, and Southeast Asia in an online forum. This gathering aimed to explore the relationship between the church and society, providing spiritual insights for Chinese Christians around the globe.
