The Knowledge of Faith
"The crisis of the mainline churches is by all means a theological crisis!" This idea was at the beginning of the "Pastor-Theologian-Project" in Princeton, NJ. The project was started in the 90s and turned out to be a great success.
This inspired the theologians at the Research Center for International and Interdisciplinary Theology, Heidelberg (FIIT) to develop the project "The Knowledge of Faith" ("GlaubensWissen," previously "Orientierungswissen: Glauben").
For two years, pastors have discussed one important theological issue in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of scientists and academics. In this framework regional groups have met repeatedly for two days of intense discussions since 2002. To begin with, representatives from different theological fields present texts and teaching aids. Participating pastors then proceed to form groups to engage in theological debate. After about a year of such work they present their ideas to the general public in order to initiate a wider discourse. In past years, this has led to theological festivals, worship services on the radio or public debates.
The project hopes to support an articulate faith and to fight the decline of general religious education by initiating public processes of information and education. Moreover, the individual projects are intended to reinforce each other mutually, so that a new level can be reached in the interrelationship between academic reflection and practical work in the parish.
The Topics Previously Dealt with:
2014 Creation and New Creation
2012 The New Atheism
2010 Old and Full of Years
2008 The Doctrine of the Trinity
2006 Endtime Eschatology
2004 Resurrection
2002 Sin and Forgiveness
So far groups from seven different German protestant churches have participated. The protestant churches in Baden, the Palatinate, Electoral-Hesse-Waldeck, and the Rhineland recognize the program as part of their continuing education process.
