Rethinking Hong Kong&#x02019;s Theological Education: An Argument for Lived Theology

Ann Gillian Chu

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香港研究 ›› 2024, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (2) : 5.

Rethinking Hong Kong’s Theological Education: An Argument for Lived Theology

Ann Gillian Chu

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Rethinking Hong Kong’s Theological Education: An Argument for Lived Theology

Ann Gillian Chu

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Abstract

Public opinion in Hong Kong has been moving toward a narrative that diminishes the value of the humanities both within its society and in the broader context of Mainland China. This influences how theology is understood in Hong Kong. Theological education in Hong Kong often uses Western Enlightenment paradigms, theories, and materials, but what if Hongkongers were to ground their understanding of contextual theology in their experiences? What does it mean to value local theological knowledge in Hong Kong? The practices of Hong Kong’s laity could be important to local theologians’ theorization of Hong Kong theology.
What do Christian lay people in Hong Kong consider theology to be? In what ways does theology grow out of their lives? Questions like these must be understood and analyzed to enable Hong Kong theology to develop based on the lived theologies of its people, reflecting theological lessons learned from post-Handover socio-politics.
First, I argue for the public value of theological education in Hong Kong. Second, in a culture where theological education is largely seen as vocational training for ministers, I explore why Hong Kong lay Christians wish to study theology, and I suggest the necessity of lifting local, lay knowledge. Finally, I propose rethinking theological education in a comprehensive, liberal arts style to stimulate the laity’s critical thinking about their faith. Working out one’s theology in community with others is crucial, because it is in communities that the emotional and affective dimensions of religion have their place and where theologies are cross-checked with lived experience.

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Ann Gillian Chu. Rethinking Hong Kong’s Theological Education: An Argument for Lived Theology[J]. 香港研究. 2024, 4(2): 5

Ann Gillian Chu. Rethinking Hong Kong’s Theological Education: An Argument for Lived Theology[J]. Hong Kong Studies. 2024, 4(2): 5

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