Ashlee Kirk

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PhD Title

“The Promise and Pitfalls of Comparative Theology”

Short Description

The emerging discipline of comparative theology endeavors to provide contemporary theologians with a new method for both doing theology and relating to religious ‘others.’  In order to accomplish this aim, comparative theology forges a synthesis between confessional theology and comparative cultural sciences.  Through my research, I aim to understand the methods, goals, and boundaries of comparative theology through the study of several contemporary comparative theologians, such as Robert Neville, Keith Ward, James Fredericks, and (especially) Francis Clooney.  Then, by utilizing recent developments in theology of religions and comparative anthropology, I intend to determine whether the comparative theological method is sound and if it is effective in accomplishing its goals.  Such an evaluation of comparative theology will require the study of several themes, including universal religious experience, the possibility of intelligibility across religious borders, theological development, multiple religious belonging, and the capacity to be open to another religious tradition while remaining committed to one’s own.  Finally, I will examine the potential practical applications of comparative theological learning to areas such as formation and peacebuilding.