Bristol University - Dept of Theology and Religious Studies - Gavin D'Costa

Bristol University - Dept of Theology and Religious Studies - Gavin D'Costa Gavin D'Costa



Title: Professor in Christian Theology

Phone: 0117 331 7010

Fax: 0117 331 7933

E-mail: Gavin.DCosta@bristol.ac.uk

Biography
GAVIN D'COSTA was born in Kenya, East Africa. He came to England in 1968 and completed a first degree in English and Theology at Birmingham University. After that he studied at the University of Cambridge for his doctorate and then began teaching in London. His doctoral work on John Hick's theology of religions led him into work with the Church of England and Roman Catholic Committee's on Other Faiths, advising these communities on theological issues. He also advises the Pontifical Council for Other Faiths, Vatican City. In 1998 he was visiting Professor at the Gregorian University, Rome.

He started teaching in Bristol in 1993 and is now Reader in Christian Theology. His three main authored books relate to the theology of religions, mainly from the perspective of philosophical theology. His fourth book is on the trinity, psychoanalysis and gender, a field of recent interest.

Research
His research interests include systematic theology, theology of inter-religious dialogue, Roman Catholic modern theology, psychoanalysis and theology.

Publications
Books
Theology and the Public Square: Church, Academy and Nation, Blackwell; Oxford/New York, 2005.
Sexing the Trinity. Gender, Culture and the Divine (London: SCM, 2000).
The Meeting of Religions and the Trinity (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2000; Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 2000).
John Hick's Theology of Religions: A Critical Evaluation (Lanham/New York/London: University Press of America, 1987).
Theology and Religious Pluralism. The Challenge of Other Religions (Oxford/New York: Basil Blackwell, 1986).
Edited Books
Faith Meets Faith, editor and contributor, British & Foreign Schools Society, London, 1988, 97 pp.; preface: pp. i-iii; essay: pp. 8-22
Christian Uniqueness Reconsidered: The Myth of a Pluralistic Theology of Religions, editor and contributor, Orbis Books, New York, 1990, 218 pp.; preface: pp. vii-xxii, essay: pp. l6-29
Translation: Italian, with introduction by Carlo Molari, Cittadella Editrice, Assisi, 1994
Translation: Japanese, Kyo Bun Kwan, Tokyo, 1997
Translation: German, Verlag Otto Lembeck, Frankfurt am Main, 1998
Translation: Spanish, Desclée De Brower, Bilbao, Spain, 2000
sixth print run
Religion in Europe: Contemporary Perspectives, co-editor with Sean Gill & Ursula King, Kok Pharos, Netherlands, 1994, 213 pp.
Resurrection Reconsidered, editor and contributor, Oneworld Books, Oxford, 1996, 227 pp. preface: pp. 7-12; essay: pp. 150-67
Contributions to Edited Books
'Against Religious Pluralism' in ed. Andrew Walker, Different Gospels, Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1988, pp. 206-24.
Second edition, 1992, pp. 139-55
'Troeltsch and Barth - Navigating the Straits<'/em>, in ed. M Darrol Bryant, Pluralism. Tolerance and Dialogue: Six Studies, Waterloo University Press, Waterloo, 1989, pp. 136-46
Response by Dr. M Darrol Bryant, pp. 147-50
'Theology of Religions', in ed. D. Ford, The Modern Theologians, Basil Blackwell, Oxford/New York, 1989, pp. 274-90
Translation: Chinese, German & Swedish
Second revised edition, 1997, new revised essay: pp. 626-44
'Theological Reflections after the Holocaust on Jesus as Christ', in Remembering the Future, Oxford International Conference: Pergamon Press, UK/US, 1989, pp. 709-19
;Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus - Revisited', in ed. Ian Hamnett, Religious Pluralism and Unbelief, Routledge, London, 1990, pp. 130-47
'John Hick's Transcendental Agnosticism', in ed. Harold Hewitt, John Hick's Philosophy of Religion, Macmillan, London, 1991, pp. 102-16
Response from John Hick, pp. 117-19
Essay translated into Japanese, in ed. H Mase & H Inagaki, Explorations in Religious Pluralism: Critical Studies of John Hick, Tokyo, Japan, 1995
'Some Reflections on the Essays', in eds. Roger Hooker & John Sargant, Christians and One Nation, British Council of Churches, London, 1991, pp. l51-69
'A Response to Cardinal Tomko: The Kingdom and a Trinitarian Ecclesiology. An Analysis of Soteriocentricism', in eds. Paul Mojzes & Leonard Swidler, Christian Mission and Inter-Religious Dialogue, Edwin Mellen Press, New York, 1991, pp. 51-61
'Towards a Trinitarian Theology of Religions' in eds. Catherine Cornille & Valeer Neckebrouck, A Universal Faith? Peoples, Cultures, Religions, and the Christ, Peeters Press, Louvain; W.B. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1991, pp. 139-54
'Christianity and Other Religions', in ed. Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Many Mansions: Interfaith and Religious Intolerance, Bellew Publishing, London, 1992, pp. 31-43
'Inter-faith Dialogue', in eds. Clive Erricker et al, SHAP Working Party Handbook: Teaching World Religion, Heinemann, London, 1993, pp. 117-21
'Christianity and Other Faiths', in ed. A. McGrath, The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Modern Christian Thought, Basil Blackwell, Oxford/New York, 1994, pp. 48-60 translated into Finnish
'Christian Theology and Other Faiths', in eds. Peter Byrne & Leslie Houlden, Companion Encyclopedia of Theology, Routledge, London & New York, 1995, pp. 291-313
'One Covenant or Many Covenants', in ed. Robin Gill, Readings in Modern Theology, SPCK, London, 1995, pp. 173-185
Reprint of article in Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 27, 3, 1990, pp. 441-52
'Theology of Religions', in ed. David Ford, The Modern Theologians, Blackwell, Oxford, 1996, 2nd. rev. ed., pp. 626-44
'Religious Studies and the Religious Imagination' in ed. John C Hawley, Through a Glass Darkly: Essays in the Religious Imagination, Fordham University Press, New York, 1996, pp. 193-209
'Whose Objectivity? Which Neutrality? The Doomed Quest for a Neutral Vantage Point from Which to Judge Religions' in ed.
G Kessler, Philosophy of Religions in A Global Perspective, Wadsworth, California, 1997, pp. 86-102
Reprint of article in Religious Studies, 29, 1993, pp. 75-95
'Revelation and World Religions' in ed. Paul Avis, Divine Revelation, Darton, Longman & Todd, London, 1997, pp. 112-139
'Viele Welten - viele Religionen. Warum eine pluralistiche Theologie der Religionen in der gegenwärtigen Krise nicht hilfreich ist', in ed. Hans-Gerd Schwandt, Pluralistische Theologie der Religionen. Eine kritische Sichtung, Verlag Otto Lembeck, Frankfurt am Main, 1998, pp. 135-152
'The Christian trinity: paradigm for pluralism?', in ed. John D'Arcy May, Pluralism and the Religions. The Theological and Political Dimensions, Cassell, London, 1998, pp. 22-39
'Trinitarian différance and world religions: Postmodernity and the "Other"', in ed. Ursula King, Faith and Praxis in a Postmodern Age, Cassell, London, 1998, pp. 28-46
'His Word or Our Words? Postmodernity's Angelic Predicament in The Satanic Verses'. in ed. Liam Gearon, English Literature, Theology and the Curriculum, Cassell, London, 1999, pp. 265-85
'Discerning Christ in World Religions', in eds. Geoffrey Turner & John Sullivan, Explorations in Catholic Theology, Lindisfarne Books, Dublin, 1999, pp. 119-130.
'Theology of Religions & Dogmatics', in fourth revised edition of Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart, J. C. Mohr, Tübingen, 2000, pp. 74-76.
'Nostra Aetate - Telling God's Story in Asia: Problems and Pitfalls', in ed. Leo Kennis & Malcolm Lambergits, Vatican II and its Heritage, Peeters Press, Leuven, 2000, pp. 82-98.
'Other Faiths and Christian Ethics' in ed. Robin Gill, The Cambridge Companion to Christian Ethics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2001, pp. 154-67.
'The Holy Spirit and the World Religions: A Blessing for the Church?' in Finding the Pulse of the Spirit Today, presented by Center for Faith and Culture, The University of St. Thomas, Huston, Texas, 2001, pp. 32-47.
'Foreword' to Christopher Sinkinson, The Universe of Faiths. A Critical Study of John Hikc's Religious Pluralism, Paternoster, Carlisle, 2001, pp. v-vii.
'Foreword' to Tim S. Perry, Radical Difference. A Defence of Hendrik Kraemer's Theology of Religions, Wilfred Laurier University Press, Canada, 2001, p.vii
'Postmodernity and religious pluralism: Is a Common Global Ethic Possible or Desirable?' in ed. Graham Ward, The Blackwell Companion to Postmodern Theology, Blackwell, Oxford, 2001, pp. 131-43
Reprint of part of my essay 'The Impossibility of a Pluralist View of Religions', in eds. Colin E Gunton, Stephen R Holmes, Murray A Rae, The Practice of Theology. A Reader, SCM, London, 2001, pp. 437-40
'Sacraments', in ed. Gareth Jones, Encyclopedia of Systematic Theology, Blackwell, Oxford, forthcoming (my contribution completed and accepted)
'A Queer Trinity', in ed. Gerard Loughlin, Queer Theology: New Perspectives on Sex and Gender, Blackwell, Oxford, forthcoming (work in progress)
Academic Journal Papers
New Blackfriars, 65, 769/770, 1984, pp. 323-31: 'John Hick's Copernican Revolution - Ten Years After'
Modern Theology, 1, 2, 1985, pp. 131-48: 'Karl Rahner's Anonymous Christian: A Reappraisal'
Modern Churchman, 27, 2, 1985, pp. 37-45: 'A Bibliography: Christian Attitudes Towards Other Religions'
New Blackfriars, 66, 777, 1985, pp. 135-37: 'An Answer to Mr. Loughlin' (A reply to a criticism of first journal entry above)
Theology, 88, 724, 1985, pp. 259-69: 'Elephants, Ropes and a Christian Theology of Religions'
Scottish Journal of Theology, 39, 21, 1986, pp. 211-24: 'The Pluralist Paradigm in a Christian Theology of Religions'
Translated into German in Theologie der Gegenwart, 4, 30, 1987, pp. 221-51
Theology, 89, 731, 1986, pp. 385-6: 'Is Pluralism too Much? A Reply to Alan Race' (A reply to a criticism of fifth journal entry above)
Anvil, 4, 2, 1987, pp. 175-85: 'An Introduction to the Literature: Christianity and Other Religions'
Dialogue and Alliance, 2, 2, 1988, pp. 41-52: 'Christian Approaches to Other Religions'
Perkins Journal of Theology, October, 1988, pp. 21-5: 'An assessment of the state of the debate: The Myth of Christian Uniqueness'
The Thomist, July, 1990, pp. 519-29: 'Taking Other Religions Seriously: Some Ironies in the Current Debate on a Christian Theology of Religions'
Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 27, 3, 1990, pp. 441-52 : 'One Covenant or Many Covenant: Towards a Jewish-Christian Theology' - See essays in edited books above: ed. Robin Gill, 1995
International Bulletin of Missionary Research, 15, 2, 1991, pp. 60-70: 'Religious Pluralism and Mission'
New Blackfriars, October, 1991, pp. 418-32: 'The Satanic Verses in British Society: Secular Discourse and the Clash of Faiths'
Dialogue and Alliance, July, 1991, pp. 4-17: 'Some Problems with Discerning God in the World'
Theology, 95, 767, 1992, pp. 324-34: 'The End of Systematic Theology'
New Blackfriars, 74, 867, 1993, pp. 41-7: 'Creating Confusion: A Response to lan Markham'
Religious Studies, 29, 1993, pp. 79-85: 'Whose Objectivity? Which Neutrality? The Doomed Quest for a Neutral Vantage Point from Which to Judge Religions'
Reprinted in ed. G Kessler, Philosophy of Religions in a Global Perspective, Wadsworth, California, 1997, pp. 86-102
The Thomist, 57, 3, 1993, pp. 524-28: 'A Discussion of J A DiNoia, The Diversity of Religions: A Christian Perspective'
Studia Missionalia, 42, 1993, pp. 161-78: 'An Examination of John Hick and Paul Knitter's Theology of Religions'
Modern Theology, 10, 2, 1994, pp. 165-84: 'Revelation and revelations: Beyond a Static Valuation of Other Religions'
Bulletin, 85/86, 1, 1994, pp. 145-64: 'The Role and Value of Different Religious Traditions'
The Month, 27, 12, 1994, pp. 486-91: 'Discerning Christ in the World Religions'
Reprinted in eds. Geoffrey Turner & John Sullivan, Explorations in Catholic Theology, Lindisfarne Books, Dublin, 1999, pp. 119-130
Discovery, 5, 1994, pp. 25-32: 'Response to Father Haight's essay'
Studia Missionalia, 44, 1995, pp. 121-48: 'Inculturation: India and Other Religions'
Theology, 791, 1996, pp. 338-51: 'The End of "Theology" and "Religious Studies"'
reproduced in eds. C Gunton, M Rae, S Holmes, The Practice of Theology. A Reader, SCM, London, 2001
Religious Studies, 32, 1996, pp. 232-32 : 'The Impossibility of a Pluralist View of Religions'
Reprint of part in eds. Colin E Gunton, Stephen R Holmes, Murray A Rae, The Practice of Theology. A Reader, SCM, London, 2001, pp. 437-40
Response from John Hick, 'The Possibility of Religious Pluralism: A Reply to Gavin D'Costa' Religious Studies, 33, 1997, pp. 161-6
Norsk Teolocisk Tidsskrift, 99, 1, 1998, pp. 19-29: 'Theology and Religious Studies in a Pluralist Society: Towards a New Interdisciplinary Identity?' Bulletin, 98, 1998, pp. 254-57: 'Theological Evaluation of Interreligious Prayer: The Catholic Tradition'
Reviews in Religion and Theology, 3, 1998, pp. 7-13: 'On trinitarian ecclesiologies'
Reviews in Religion and Theology, 6, 4, 1999, pp. 356-60: 'On Seeking Vision'
Secondary Critical Materials
Excluding book reviews and minor references to my work

Ph.D. theses

Karl Rahner and his influence on Catholic Theology of Religions (London, King's: Samuel Rayan)
An anthropological approach to theology : a study of John Hick's theology of religious pluralism, towards ethical criteria for a global theology of religions (Bristol, Heather Meacock - published by UPA)
The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ in the Theocentric Model of the Christian Theology of Religions: An Elaboration and Evaluation of the Position of John Hick (Rome: Gregory Carruthers)
Paul Knitter and Gavin D'Costa. A Critical Comparison of Two Catholic Theologians and the Theology of Religions (Louvain: Raul Paulo)
Theologie im Angesicht der Religionen. Gavin D'Costa Kritik an der pluralistischen Religionstheologie John Hicks, (München: André Gerth - published)
A Critical Reappraisal of Hendrik Kraemer and his Contribution to Theology of Religions (Durham: Ian Perry - published by Wilfred Laurier Press)
Contemporary Catholic Theology of Religions and the problem of Christology: A study of Paul Knitter, Gavin D'Costa and Jacques Dupuis (Gregorianum, Rome: John Bong SJ)
Theology of John Hick: Its Soteriological and Missiological implications for a Pluralistic age (MTh, Morling Baptist College, Australia College of Theology, Rev. Satish Manmothe, 2002)
Journals

Gerard Loughlin, 'Paradox and Paradigms: Defending the Case for a Revolution in Theology of Religions', New Blackfriars, 66, 777, 1985, pp. 127-35
Alan Race, 'Christianity and Other Religions: Is Inclusivism Enough?', Theology, 89, 1966, pp. 178-86
Schubert Ogden, 'Problems in the Case for a Pluralistic Theology of Religions', The Journal of Religion, 68, 1988, pp. 493-507
H Döring and P Schmidt-Leukel, 'Interreligiöser Dialog als ökumenisches Problem, in: Catholica', Vierteljahresschrift für ökumenische Theologie, 44, 1990, 221-41
Ian Markham, 'Creating Options: Shattering the 'Exclusivist, Inclusivist, and Pluralist' Paradigms', New Blackfriars, 74, 867, 1993, pp. 33-41
John Hick, 'Straightening the Record: Some Responses to Critics', Modern Theology, 6, 1990, 187-95
John Hick, 'The Possibility of Religious Pluralism: A Reply to Gavin D'Costa', Religious Studies, 33, 1997, pp. 161-66
Paul Knitter, 'Catholics and Other Religions: Bridging the Gap between Dialogue and Theology', Louvain Studies, 24, 1999, pp. 319-54
Extended multi-review of my book The Meeting of Religions and the Trinity, (four reviewers: John Hick, Dan Cohn-Sherbok, John Peacock, another), with a response from me, Reviews of Religion and Theology, 8, 3, 2001, pp.232-50 (editor Isabel Wollaston)
Judson Trapnell, 'Indian Sources on the Possibility of a Pluralist View of Religions', Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 35, 2, 1998, pp.210-34 (in response to the 'Impossibility of a Pluralist view of religions' in Religious Studies - above)
Books
Gregory Carruthers, The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ in the Theocentric Model of the Christian Theology of Religions: An Elaboration and Evaluation of the Position of John Hick, Lanham, UPA, 1990
ed. Harold Hewitt, John Hick's Philosophy of Religion, Macmillan, London, 1991
Responses to me from John Hick, pp. 117-19; Jim Kellenberger, pp. 120-24
Alan Race, Christians and religious pluralism: patterns in the Christian theology of Religions, SCM, London, 1993, second edition
John Hick, The Rainbow of Faiths, London, SCM, 1995
Perry Schmidt-Leukel, 'Die religionstheologischen Grundmodelle: Exklusivismus, Inklusivismus, Pluralismus', in ed. A Peter, Christlicher Glaube in multireligiöser Gesellschaft, Erfahrungen, theologische Reflexionen, missionarische Perspektiven, Immensee, (Special edition: Neue Zeitschrift für Missionwissenschaft,) 44, 1996, pp.227-48
André Gerth, Theologie im Angesicht der Religionen. Gavin D'Costa Kritik an der pluralistischen Religionstheologie John Hicks, Ferdinand Schöningh, Paderborn, München, 1997 (series: Beiträge zur Ökumenischen Theologie, Band 27)
Jacques Dupuis, Towards A Christian Theology of Religions, Orbis, Mary Knoll, New York, 1999
Joe DiNoia, Towards a Roman Catholic Theology of Religions, Catholic University of Washington DC, Washington, 1992
Heather Meacock, An Anthropological Approach to Theology, University Press of America, Lanham/Oxford, 2000
John D'Arcy May, 'Catholic Fundamentalism' Some Implications of Dominus Iesus for Dialogue and Peacemaking', (forthcoming: ms pp.16.), in ed. Michael J. Rainer, "Dominus Iesus": Antoessige Warheit oder anstoessige Kirche?, LIT-Verlag, Munester-Hamburg-London, 2001
Alan Race, Interfaith Encounter, SCM, London, 2001
Chris Sinkinson, The Universe of Faiths. A Critical Study of John Hick's Religious Pluralism, Paternoster Press, Cumbria, 2001
Tim S. Perry, Radical Difference. A Defence of Hendrik Kraemer's Theology of Religions, Wilfred Laurier University Press, Canada, 2001, p.vii


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