Comparative Theology of Justification and Interreligious Learning: Martin Luther and Shinran Shonin

Abstract

For comparative theology and multiple modernites, this chapter begins an interreligious reflection of the comparative theology of justification, in regard to Luther’s teaching of grace of justification and Shinran’s in Pure Land Buddhism. A comparative theology of justification makes an attempt to read together faith and grace in interreligious learning and revive the socially engaged dimension of Luther and Shinran for religiously inspired ethics of solidarity and universal grace. A comparative theology of justification finds its critical and constructive import in self-examination, mutual respect, and solidarity in affinity, yet without undermining incommensurability between Reformation theology and Pure Land teaching. In this phenomenological, sociological procedure, a comparative theology of justification is proposed as a theology of interreligious solidarity in examination and renewal of Luther’s theology.