Searching for Truth in the In-Between. Comparative Theology and Cross-Traditional Spiritual Practice

Abstract

This contribution advocates understanding and conceptualizing comparative theology not only as an intellectual but also as a spiritual undertaking for the sake of achieving a deeper understanding of both the propositional and existential dimensions of truth in relation to God’s reality and action when making interreligious comparisons. To this end, two text-based methodological approaches to comparative theology, such as those found in Francis Clooney, are first presented, which are then supplemented in a further step by considerations of a rite-based approach to comparison. Since a spiritual commitment to another religious tradition will usually lead to the development of a religious double loyalty or multi-religious identity, it is finally argued that increasingly complex relationships of loyalty do not have to be contrary to the acquisition of an authentic Christian faith identity, but can be conducive to it.