Communication Theology Information Sheet
Developed by Rev. “Bob” Bonnot
Theology is faith seeking understanding. This is always done from a given position and with a defined perspective. This has given rise to various ‘schools’ of theology.
Augustinian Theology – positioned in Platonism with a Roman/Biblical perspective
Thomistic Theology – positioned in Aristotelianism with a Patristic perspective
Counter-Reformation Theology – positioned within the Reformation with a defensive and legalistic perspective
Liberation Theology – positioned among oppressed people with a perspective of the dignity of the human person with rights including freedom and justice
Feminist Theology – positioned within woman’s experience with a perspective that critiques male-dominated interpretations of theology, history, and culture
In this context, Communication Theology, in the Catholic perspective as conditioned by Vatican II, is doing theology:
from a position within today’s culture defined by communication/digital emphases
from a perspective that seeks to understand the divine Presence and action in the varied dimensions of this communication and digital culture
Communication Theology sees various cultural forms (music, image, symbol, ritual, etc.) as modalities of communication, as mediations of culture through communication.
The Theologian’s Task
Theologians wishing to “do” Communication Theology may:
attend to the communication dimension of their specific theological discipline,
focus on the interpretive dynamics involved in communicating the fruit of their theological reflection effectively to today’s public which resides in an electronic culture,
or theologians might choose to position themselves within a communication-studies culture and elaborate a theology (an understanding of God, God’s presence, and God’s action) that arises from that communication-culture base.
Thus, Communication Theology uses a methodology that focuses on communication modalities as experienced and understood within today’s electronic culture.