Edward Schillebeeckx’s Concept of Truth and Praxis of Dialogue: Some Considerations for Religious Education Today

Abstract

The great Dominican theologian Edward Schillebeeckx (1968) acknowledges that while absolute truth exists, the perspectives in approaching this truth continuously change (Schillebeeckx, 1968). Recent developments in various disciplines make people realize the multi-dimensional nature of truth. There is the truth of practical daily living, the truth of modern positive sciences, the truth aspired in philosophy, and the truth embraced in religion (Schillebeeckx, 1968). These truths are confined and rooted in their respective contexts/world. The recognition of the multi-dimensionality of truth leads to dialogue. Schillebeeckx said that maintaining an open and receptive attitude in affirming the truth to what others consider as true is a condition for attaining the highest possible unanimity (Schillebeeckx, 1968). This principle is evident in the Church's effort to transition from being a “Church of monologue” to a “Church of dialogue,” from being a “teaching Church” to a “learning other,” to mutual sincere listening and mutual contributions (Schillebeeckx, 1986). Aside from dialogue with other faith traditions, the Church also commits to dialogue with the world, receiving and listening to what is offered by the world as a “foreign prophesy” and recognizing therein the well-known voice of the Lord (Schillebeeckx, 1986). This paper will explore how Schillebeeckx’s reflections on truth and dialogue can help us better understand the question of truth and the challenges of dialogue today, elements that stand at the heart of religious education aimed at teaching the truth and bearing witness to the truth. Furthermore, the researcher would like also to look into what insights religious educators can glean from Schilleebeeckx’s theological musings on truth and dialogue in our praxis of religious education amidst this age of pluralism and the Church’s call to traverse the path of synodality.