What thresholds of theology would we cross if we engage the aches and despairs, wisdoms and hopes in and of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the neighboring sea of islands? What thresholds need to be jarred or moved (threshold as opening), probed and raised (threshold as limit, ceiling)? This book engages these questions, over two vaults: (1) (re)Locating theological studies contains essays that interrogate the purposes of theological studies (locally and globally), identify gaps due to the Western heritage and blind spots of traditional theology, and provide examples of how those gaps may be bridged when local concerns are engaged; (2) Nativizing theological studies contains essays that present and engage the heritage and wisdom of tangata whenua (indigenous, native people) of Aotearoa and Pasifika. These essays reaffirm the native rhetoric with pride. Overall, this collection of essays affirms that theological studies have a future, and that there is a role for theologians in and from Aotearoa New Zealand and Pasifika to play in navigating (into) that future.
1. Nau mai, Haere mai: Welcome
Jione Havea, Emily Colgan, Nsili Vakauta
(re)Locating theological studies
2. Margins as Thresholds
Nsili Vakauta
3. Early Christian Networking and Overcoming Isolation and Competition in
Theological Studies in Aotearoa
Paul Trebilco
4. Gift exchange and pae nekeneke: Learnings for theological education from
the history of becoming Presbyterian in Aoteoroa New Zealand
Steve Taylor
5. Whakawhanaungatanga (doing right relationship), Beyond a Failure of Nerve
and Imagination
Kathleen P. Rushton
6. Tough Conversations: Engaging with Biblical Texts of Terror in Aotearoa
New Zealand
Emily Colgan and Caroline Blyth
7. Asking the Right Questions: Noticing and Naming Sexual Abuse
David Tombs
8. Thresholds of Alternatives: Re-imagining the Vocation of Theological
Educators
George Zachariah
9. Digital Technologies and Theological Education
Stephen Garner
Nativizing theological studies
10. Mori Theology: Unavoidable, Priority
Arapera Ngaha
11. Biculturalism and Democratic Decision-making: Models for Theological
Education
Moeawa Callaghan
12. Once was Colonised: Jesus Christ
Te Aroha Rountree
13. Taniwha, Guardians in Creation: Thresholds for Mori Theology
Keita Hotere
14. Wheiao, a Threshold: Where Mori and Pkeh meet
Beverly Moana Hall-Smith and Rosemary Dewerse
15. Moana and Qoheleth: Futility in Diaspora?
Brian Fiu Kolia
16. Calling for CONversion
Jione Havea
Jione Havea is research fellow with Trinity Methodist Theological College (Aotearoa New Zealand) and with the Centre for Religion, Ethics, and Society (Charles Sturt University, Australia).
Emily Colgan is a lecturer in theology at Trinity Methodist Theological College in Auckland, New Zealand.
Nsili Vakauta is the current Principal & Ranston Lecturer in Biblical Studies, Trinity Methodist Theological College, Auckland, New Zealand.
