Abstract
This presentation suggests that inter-religious dialogue is not limited to asserting common values, but also invites critical interaction on issues about which we differ. Is there any relevance of Christian beliefs in a Triune God when in dialogue with Muslims? This presentation suggests that the trinity is not primarily a metaphysical dogma, but rather a biblical story of a community’s experience of God’s suffering in human history. It is a rich source for a social imaginary of unity in diversity. Both Christians and Muslims imagine that the Great Oneness of God (Ketuhanan yang Maha Esa) can unify radically pluralistic societies. But different religious communities have different experiences of how God values and protects diversity.
SPEAKER
Bernard Adeney-Risakotta is Professor of Religion and Social Science and International Representative at the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS-Yogya), in the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada. He is currently also teaching at Duta Wacana Christian University and Universitas Muhamadiyah Yogyakarta. Bernie completed his B.A. from University of Wisconsin in Asian Studies and Literature. His second degree, a B.D. (Hons.) is from University of London, specializing in Asian Religions and Ethics. Bernie’s Ph.D. is from the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in cooperation with University of California, Berkeley, in Religion, Society and International Relations. From 1982 until 1991 he taught at the GTU Berkeley. Bernie has been a Fellow at St. Edmunds College, Cambridge and at the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Amsterdam. From September 2013 to July 2014 he was on sabbatical leave as a Visiting Fellow at the Institute on Religion and World Affairs at Boston University. Email: baryogya@gmail.com
