ABSTRACT
The definition of the term 'public' in public theology has been heavily influenced by David Tracy's suggestion that there are three publics: church, academy and society. The aim of public theology is to unite these three publics, creating a community in which consensus on contemporary issues of public policy can be reached without excluding religious voices. Public and Contextual Theology's (PACT) definition states: 'Public theology is concerned with analysis of the public expression of the Christian faith'. Isasi-Diaz model of reconciliation and dialogue is especially relevant to public theology given the increasing religious and international divisions and marginalization that are bound up with the war in Afghanistan and the impact of war on women's lives. Public theology needs to be involved in the debate on the ethical use of new reproductive technologies (NRTs); in particular, feminist public theologians need to safeguard the needs of women alongside that of the common good.
