Constructing Local Theologies

by Robert J. Schreiter

Classic work shows how different cultures share the one Gospel of Jesus Christ.The contextual model of local theology concentrates on the real problems and concerns of real people, in their faith and larger communities. Local theologies are more accurately understood as ""the local Christian community theologizing."" This book provides a thoughtful perspective for those engaged in small Christian communities worldwide.

Genres: Theology

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 1985

About the author

Robert Schreiter is a professor of systematic theology at Catholic Theological Seminar. He is also a priest and member of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. Schreiter is the author or editor of twenty-seven books, with contributing chapters in 140 other volumes. He is past president of the American Society of Missiology and of the Catholic Theological Society of America.

Reviews

[Tyler Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for my Global and Indigenous Theologies course under Dr. Suzangeline Patrick at Nazarene Theological Seminary. Here is the reflection I wrote for class:

Schreiter’s "Constructing Local Theologies" is a comprehensive flyover of the various considerations necessary in the task of doing local theology well. One of the basic premises argued in the book is that all theology, including the dominant and longstanding Western theology which comes out of the Roman Catholic tradition, is a product of the cultural situation and systems in which it arose. Schreiter contends that theology should grow out of the questions asked by a given people which are unique to their experience. With that being the case, for theology to be meaningful and impactful in other global contexts outside the West, it must be reformulated in some way.

Schreiter then goes on in the book to explain approaches taken in the past to this task and what he views as the best approach(s). Much of this book centers around defining terms like local, gospel, culture, tradition, signs, etc. He explores what it means to listen well to a culture in order to understand it as fully as possible. Of particular importance in that task is not superimposing one’s cultural categories onto another culture. He explores the knotty questions that one is faced with when translating Christian tradition from one culture to another, and he concludes with a discussion of the nuances regarding syncretism and dual religious systems.

I was struck in reading this book at how many sociological principles are involved in doing local theology well. This book, although it helpfully breaks down the important areas of consideration and gives proper language for the task, has left me with the impression that one cannot embark upon the task of doing local theology lightly. It takes deep study, dedicated time, and resources to do it well. When he was explaining the multiple approaches taken on a given topic, I would often find myself resonating with the first example or two and then would be jarred when he would expose the weaknesses or inherent flaws in those approaches.

It is fortunate that because of the handful of cross-cultural experiences I have had (Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico, England, France, and various regions of the United States), in tandem with the classes I took in undergrad on missiology and cross-cultural communication, my heart and mind were prepared for this kind of content. Although many of the approaches were new to me, I could immediately connect them with experiences and examples from my own life and learning and was able to identify the strengths of the idea more easily. For example, when he talked about how in the United States, we view religion as a private affair but that in some Mediterranean countries, people conceive of themselves as Catholic simply by being born in that country, I was able to immediately connect this with conversations I have had with an international student from Spain who I became friends with. Overall, I am left asking, what are some examples of local theology done well? I anticipate we will be engaging with some in our continued reading. Will I be comfortable with these theologies when I encounter them, or will I think they have gone “too far”? Will I be willing to let go of my Western questions and categories?

[Drick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read about half this book, and it was helpful in thinking theologically on the grassroots level. I use this method in my courses on urban theology.

[Lainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. The book raised more questions than it answered, in many ways.

Who does theology? What constitutes Christian identity? What if the received Christian doctrine has no analogue in the local culture? What is the end goal of Christian conversion? How might a local theology retain aspects of its culture & which elements should it? How might a local theology remain rooted to the Christian tradition?

Yet, in raising all these questions, it “answered” the biggest question in my mind. Is local theology truly a Christian theology? Yes, at least maybe. Schreiter de-stigmatized local expressions of Christianity, making their difference to my western experience less “scary,” and instead, necessary to the diversity inherent in Christianity. I still feel the necessity to protect the elements that make Christian tradition Christian (Schreiter encourages this protection too) and I don’t know exactly how or what that looks like, but Schreiter encourages an openness to local theologies that moves me forward in this topic.

Seems like an especially pertinent book for missiology, liberation theologies & academia as a whole.

[Andy Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heavy Reading

This book is heavy reading and requires considerable reflection in order to recognize its great value. The first several chapters were a struggle for me, but found them necessary to enjoy the chapters that followed. Well worth the effort.

[Michael DeBusk · Rating 4 out of 5]

In defense of a theological method that begins with culture and from a Roman Catholic perspective, there is much to disagree with. Nevertheless, very thought-provoking.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Schreiter takes the interplay of culture and theology seriously and offers thought-provoking and hopeful analysis of how the Christian faith may be inculturated into various contexts.