著者

村瀬 義史

出版者

活水女子大学

雑誌

活水論文集. 人間関係学科編 (ISSN:13482580)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.53, pp.41-55, 2010-03-31

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The purpose of this study is to describe and examine the thought of the Christian approach to other faiths of D.T. Niles (1908-1970), whose main location of the theological praxis was Ceylon where Christians were the minority among people of other faiths. Niles' understanding of other religions is formed in the personal contacts with the people of other faiths and therefore his thought of the Christian approach is rather practical and missionary than academic and systematical. In his discussion, we find a unique combination of the influences of dialectical theology and Methodism. Historically, Niles' thought of the approach to the other faiths gave fresh impetus to move the discussion forward at the founding phase of the postwar discussion towards the "interfaith dialogue" which emerged as a program of the World Council of Churches in the 1970's. In conclusion, evaluating the theological work of Niles in the historical context, I suggest that it is essential for Christians to reflect their historical presence in the eyes of the people of other faiths when they consider their tasks in the religiously plural society as well as the nature and mission of the Church.