ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with the nature of the relationship between the particularity of the Christian tradition and the universal quest regarding our common humanity. The question of our common humanity comes into sharp focus in light of those people and groups who are ‘othered’ sociopolitically or rendered relatively invisible, in Wink’s terms, under the sway of the ‘Domination System’. Of course, the notion of a universal quest regarding our common humanity is problematic. I have been arguing that the Christian tradition must beware of any ideological tendency to identify itself with the universality of God’s will and acts, and I reject the idea that a universal ‘theology of religion’ could account for all religious experience and hope. Rather, we need dialogical theology in order to express and demonstrate the particularity of our Christian commitment without objectifying, whether by idealizing or demonizing, those who are other. However, our narrative is scandalously particular; it does make universal claims; and I have suggested these are related to the Judaeo-Christian prophetic tradition, an antidomination discourse and a praxis concerned for the well-being of all.
