Interfaith dialogue as child's play or dialogue as servitude: Some reflections on the Markan theology of servitude

• Main Author: Joaquin, Jeremiah Joven B.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Subjects: Christian life; Service (Theology); Dialogue—Religious aspects; Religion
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/7303
• Institution: De La Salle University

In this paper, I shall make some reflections on Mark (Mk.) 10:13-16 and how it relates to the whole Markan theology of servitude (found in Mk. 8:22-10:52). I shall draw later some insights on how we could apply this Markan theology of servitude to interfaith dialogue. This paper is divided into three parts. The first part explores a new interpretation of Mk. 10:13-16: how it differs from the traditional reading and how to read it as part of the whole Markan theology of servitude. The second part discusses further how Mk. 10:13-16 fits in the whole Markan theology of servitude: how the picture (example) of a child reveals the connection between Mk. 10:13-16 and 9:33-37 and how the same picture amply characterizes the idea of servitude. The third part explores how the Markan theology of servitude could be applied in interfaith dialogue: how the idea of servitude is primordial in interfaith dialogue and how it also directs us to have a different view (interpersonal) dialogue in general.