Orientation and irritation

Challenges for a critical public theology using the example of the CPCE statement on the Ukraine war

Abstract

What can theology say when confronted with the manifold crises of our present times? This article argues that a Christologically oriented, critical public theology can offer both orientation and irritation. In a first step, the understanding of public theology, on which this article is based, is presented, including, secondly, the specific understanding of reality that public theology shares with Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The third step is to provide contour to public theology by means of a Christological perspective. Finally, what has been discussed so far is illustrated using a concrete case study. CPCE's declaration on the war in Ukraine will serve this purpose.