Publisher : Laval théologique et philosophique, vol. 82, no. 1 (Érudit) -
French
Comparative Theology as a Vehicle for a New Approach to Religious Diversity?
Published in the special issue “Islam and Interreligious Dialogue” of the journal Laval théologique et philosophique (vol. 82, no. 1, 2026, pp. 7-25), this article by Michel Younès, general coordinator of Pluriel, examines the place of comparative theology in the Christian approach to religious diversity.
Over the past two decades, comparative theology has taken shape through numerous studies that have refined its method, aims and contribution to interreligious learning. Situated within systematic theology, it keeps its distance from religious studies and comparative religion, while seeking to distinguish itself from the theology of religions and the theology of interreligious dialogue.
Pointing to the limits of these approaches, the author offers a critical assessment through the lens of interreligious dialogue, asking what comparative theology can — and cannot — renew in the Christian way of thinking about religious plurality.
Paru dans le dossier « Islam et dialogue interreligieux » de la revue Laval théologique et philosophique (vol. 82, n° 1, 2026, p. 7-25), cet article de Michel Younès, coordinateur général de Pluriel, interroge la place de la théologie comparative dans l’approche chrétienne de la diversité religieuse.
Depuis une vingtaine d’années, la théologie comparative s’est structurée à travers de nombreux travaux qui en ont précisé la méthode, les objectifs et les apports dans l’apprentissage interreligieux. Située au sein de la théologie systématique, elle se tient à distance des sciences religieuses et des religions comparées, tout en cherchant à se distinguer de la théologie des religions et de la théologie du dialogue interreligieux.
En pointant les limites de ces approches, l’auteur en propose une évaluation critique par le prisme du dialogue interreligieux, et examine ce que la théologie comparative permet — ou non — de renouveler dans la manière chrétienne de penser la pluralité religieuse.
نُشر هذا المقالُ للباحث ميشال يونس، المنسّق العام للمنصة الجامعية للدراسات حول الإسلام، ضمن ملفّ «الإسلام والحوار بين الأديان» في العدد الأوّل من المجلّد الثاني والثمانين (2026، الصفحات 7-25) من مجلّة:
Laval théologique et philosophique
ويتناول فيه مكانةَ اللاهوت المقارن في المقاربة المسيحية للتنوّع الديني.
فمنذ نحو عقدين، أخذ اللاهوت المقارن يتبلور عبر أبحاثٍ متعدّدة صقلت منهجَه وأهدافَه وما يقدّمه في التعلّم المشترك بين الأديان. وهو، إذ يقع في صميم اللاهوت النظاميّ، ينأى بنفسه عن علوم الأديان وعن الأديان المقارَنة، ساعياً في الوقت ذاته إلى تمييز نفسه عن لاهوت الأديان وعن لاهوت الحوار بين الأديان.
وبينما يُبرز المؤلّفُ حدودَ هذه المقاربات، يقدّم تقييماً نقدياً لها من منظور الحوار بين الأديان، متسائلاً عمّا يستطيع اللاهوت المقارن — وما لا يستطيع — أن يُجدّده في طريقة تفكير المسيحيّة في التعدّد الديني.
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Comparative Theology as a Vehicle for a New Approach to Religious Diversity?
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