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What is 'Responsible Theology'?
Abstract
What should responsible Christian theologians say after September 11? Robin
Gill’s recent book, Changing Worlds, offers a particular vision based upon a
nuanced understanding of just war theory. This article dissents from that view,
arguing that our responses are distorted if we are tempted to give September 11 a
status that is hard to justify, and which might lead to difficulties between the
world’s major religions. Responsible theology often lies in just such dissent from
politically plausible yet tendentious actions and their consequences.
Gill’s recent book, Changing Worlds, offers a particular vision based upon a
nuanced understanding of just war theory. This article dissents from that view,
arguing that our responses are distorted if we are tempted to give September 11 a
status that is hard to justify, and which might lead to difficulties between the
world’s major religions. Responsible theology often lies in just such dissent from
politically plausible yet tendentious actions and their consequences.