First CTE-Conference from September 1-3, 2024 in Bensberg

In the American context, most comparative theologians developed their field of research out of the encounter of Christianity and the Eastern religions. In centers of comparative theology in Europe, for example in Edinburgh, Leuven, Paderborn and Bonn, the focus shifted to the encounters of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This leads to different challenges because of the special relationships between these three religions. Judaism and Christianity seem to have developed themselves in the first centuries of the common era in a kind of twin birth which ties them much closer together than we thought in the past. Furthermore, Jesus and Paul have increasingly been understood within the Judaism of their times rather than only focusing on differences. Many Christian theologians developed Israel theologies to respond to this close relationship and to appreciate the importance of Judaism for Christianity. Some Jewish theologians responded constructively to this approach.