Introduction

Theology is a discipline shaped more by its subject matter than by the methods with which the subject matter is approached. Theologians (ordinary theologians as much as professional theologians) are concerned with the study of discourse about God and with all that purports to reveal knowledge of God or to be concerned with the experience of God.

Throughout the twentieth century Christian theology became increasingly aware of the importance of perspective in informing and shaping the theological exercise. Contextual theology recognizes that the same subject matter may be viewed from different perspectives and that such perspectival viewing can generate authentic and legitimate insights into the subject matter that grasps the theologian's attention – the study of discourse about God. Liberation theology reflects on the insights of those who see God and hear God speak from the perspective of the oppressed. Feminist theology reflects on the insights of those who see God and hear God speak from the perspective of women. Black theology reflects on the insights of those who see God and hear God speak from the perspective of people of colour. Such perspectives are not in competition, but are complementary as the whole people of God talk about the things of God, as the whole people of God share their insights into the revelation of God.