Abstract

This article argues in favour of a critical and constructive public theology that reflects upon the role of Christian faith in public life in the young South African democracy and in other democratic societies. It offers some crucial contours for the development of public theology. It first calls attention to different approaches to and emphases in public theology. With different emphases and methodologies the three central questions of public theology are addressed regarding the inherent public nature of God's love for the world, the public rationality of this love, and the public implications of God's love for the world. Second, public theology is described as an intradisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary scholarly practice. Third, the possibilities of what public theology might become are discussed, namely a theological discipline, subdiscipline, research field, organiser of curriculum, catalyst, or a new contextual theology. In two final sections, the publics of public theology and the contemporary agenda of public theology are discussed.