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acts of transformation encouraging a life in true compassion with each other
concrete
with nature. These three dimensions remind us of the methodology of ‘see, judge
and
would probably not deny the value of this approach. However, studying his
Thomas
one discovers that his methodology showed a refinement which might be
writings,
for a pilgrimage of justice and peace. In his analysis of what the central
helpful
paper calls the via negativa he added a few steps which do not immediately
committee
to judging what is wrong but rather to a deeper understanding of what is behind
lead
and oppression. Reviewing what he sees as current events and movements, he
injustice
to analyse the revolutionary forces in today’s reality, than interpret the human
tried
in them, and finally discern the spiritualdimension in the human
self-understanding
At that level, he formulated what the response of Christian faith
self-understanding.
be reflecting the elements of God’s gift of life and cruciform humanity. Doing so, he
might
a too easy shortcut between social analysis and biblicalmoral teachings which
avoided
do not reach the heart of the struggle for justice and peace.
often
is the first line of interpretation: moving from analysing the events and movements
This
interpreting the human self-understanding and finally reflecting on the spiritual
towards
The second line of refinement of his analysis is the way back from reading
dimension.
Scriptures towards understanding the day-to-day reality. For instance, histheological
the
on the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ helped him to see thereality from
reflection
specific perspective. His discovery of the theological value of the concept of cruciform
a
helped him to see more clearly the messianic nature of the human
humanity
in freedom and creativity. His methodologicalapproach is therefore not
self-expression
moving from analysis towards theologicalresponse, but a double movement,
only
forward and backward between sociology of religion and theology of society.
moving
could object that this methodology has a too strong anthropologicalfocus, ignoring
One
fact that the current oppressive systems not only have an impact on human life but
the
that on the environment, endangering the future of all life on earth. Thomas
beyond
not deny this wider impact on the entire creation, but would probably also assert
would
the human being is the determining factor in the current processes of social,
that
and ecological injustices. For him that was the reason to discern the
economic
of human self-understanding in the current destructive processes but also to
dimensions
the responsibility of humans to transform destruction into life-embracing
address
Thomas did not deny the importance of faith in the Holy Trinity, his theology is
Although
the core Christology. In that sense he fully resonated with the theologicalfocus of his
at
in the ecumenical movement as well as in the wider theological circles. Today the
days,
theological reflection has shifted its emphasis more towards pneumatology.
ecumenical
the centrality of faith in Jesus Christ and his salvation, the new statement
affirmed
“some key developments in understanding the mission of the Holy Spirit within
highlights
and act’ as common in several liberation theologies.
creativity.
2. Revisiting Christology
A good example of this shift is the new ecumenical mission affirmationTogether
Towards Life. While the earlier mission statement of the World Council of Churches
the mission of the Triune God (mission Dei)”.(41)