Evangelicals and other conservative Christians of the twenty-first century face enormous challenges in the pluralistic public square, not least with Muslims and atheists. Contrary to biblical injunctions to ""keep in step with the Spirit"" (Gal 5:25b) and to love our neighbors as ourselves (e.g., Matt 22:37-40; Luke 10:25-37)--both of which involve not only behavioral but also important affective elements--we often harbor deep-seated antipathies toward atheists and adherents of other religions. While such feelings are at times justified and help us cope with conflict-related tragedies, they are also often baseless, misconstrued, and counterproductive, priming us to avoid religious others, support discriminatory policies against them, and even confront them in verbal or physical ways. The purpose of this volume is to offer an academically informed yet practically oriented collection of essays that challenges and encourages Christians to engage their religious neighbors in a much more loving, compassionate, hopeful, and courageous--indeed, orthopathic--manner, whether in the realm of politics, in debate and conference venues, on the mission field, or in their own homes, schools, churches, and neighborhoods. As such, a set of reflection and discussion questions is included to facilitate individual and/or group study.
Evangelicals and other conservative Christians of the twenty-first century face enormous challenges in the pluralistic public square, not least with Muslims and atheists. Contrary to biblical injunctions to ""keep in step with the Spirit"" (Gal 5:25b) and to love our neighbors as ourselves (e.g., Matt 22:37-40; Luke 10:25-37)--both of which involve not only behavioral but also important affective elements--we often harbor deep-seated antipathies toward atheists and adherents of other religions. While such feelings are at times justified and help us cope with conflict-related tragedies, they are also often baseless, misconstrued, and counterproductive, priming us to avoid religious others, support discriminatory policies against them, and even confront them in verbal or physical ways. The purpose of this volume is to offer an academically informed yet practically oriented collection of essays that challenges and encourages Christians to engage their religious neighbors in a much more loving, compassionate, hopeful, and courageous--indeed, orthopathic--manner, whether in the realm of politics, in debate and conference venues, on the mission field, or in their own homes, schools, churches, and neighborhoods. As such, a set of reflection and discussion questions is included to facilitate individual and/or group study.
John W. Morehead (MA, Salt Lake Theological Seminary) is Director
of Multifaith Matters and the Evangelical Chapter of the Foundation
for Religious Diplomacy. He is coeditor of Encountering New
Religious Movements (2004).
Brandon C. Benziger (ThM, MDiv, Denver Seminary) is a freelance
editor and an independent author and researcher. He is the compiler
of "Emotions and the Bible" (2015).
"How should Christians relate to adherents of other religions? A
Charitable Orthopathy breaks fresh ground in moving the discussion
beyond simply questions about beliefs and practices to
consideration of the moral and theological significance of
attitudes and emotions shaping our responses to religious others.
At a time when Christian perspectives are driven largely by fear
and anger, these essays point us toward a better way, rooted in the
virtues to be found in Christ's disciples."
--Harold A. Netland, Professor of Philosophy of Religion and
Intercultural Studies, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
"Morehead and Benziger have assembled an impressive collection of
distinguished scholars to analyze this much-neglected
subject--affective attitudes in interreligious relations.
Recommended for all those interested in interreligious
exchange."
--Gerald R. McDermott, Anglican Chair of Divinity, Beeson Divinity
School
"Morehead and Benziger bring together an outstanding group of
scholars who explore the emotions and attitudes of evangelicals
toward those of other faiths. . . . A Charitable Orthopathy is a
critical volume for anyone who is trying to navigate the
challenging terrain of our 'multi' world. As one who teaches and
practices multifaith engagement, this volume is a welcome addition
to the individual volumes from thoughtful evangelicals, many of
whom are contributors to this volume."
--C. Douglas McConnell, Professor of Leadership and Intercultural
Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary
"This volume invites the evangelical community to engage in
compassionate and holistic ways with people from other religions,
because without compassionate engagement our message becomes
compromised. This book is a valuable tool for those who seek to
equip the church to be the salt of the earth in a multifaith
society."
--Pablo Morales, Lead Pastor, Ethnos Bible Church; Project Faculty,
Portland Seminary
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