세계화의 신학, 신학의 세계화, 그리고 교회

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to propose a balanced reflection on the issue of ‘globalization’ in a context in which negative views on it prevail. In fact, a majority of scholars blame globalization as a seriously troubled issue which harms the whole world. It is also true that globalization is the matrix of our times. In this context, this paper seeks to present a balanced reflection on globalization, based on the public theology of M. Stackhouse as follows: (1) Theology of globalization: It needs to be balanced between globalization as ‘another Fall’ and ‘providential grace’. According to Stackhouse, the most important question on this topic is not whether globalization is acceptable or not, but ‘How can Christianity contribute to establish the publicness of the globalization?’(2) The globalization of theology: Stackhouse urges that theology has to be concerned about the issues of human rights, fair trade, technology, and so on. In other words, the globalization of Christian ethics is urgently needed. Moreover, providing moral guides for the globalized world is a very important task of theology in our times. Of course, there are some critics of Stackhouse’s view. For example, some say that Stackhouse has a tendency to evaluate globalization positively. Others think although he finally arrived at a contextual theology, nevertheless he himself maintained the importance of a non-contextual view. In my opinion, Stackhouse has little concern about the ecclesiastical horizon. It is never to be ignored that the church is very important in the realization of moral tasks in the global era.