Harvesting from the Asian Soil: Towards an Asian Theology.

Julius-Kei, Kato

HARVESTING FROM THE ASIAN SOIL: TOWARDS AN ASIAN THEOLOGY. Authored and edited by Vimal Tirimanna, C.Ss.R. Bangalore: ATC, 2011. Pp. xxiii + 299. N.p.

This appropriately titled collection of essays is a rich theological harvest, a tour de force that will give readers an excellent overview of practically all the main theological themes--from the more traditional areas such as Christology, ecclesiology, and moral theology, to newer fields such as the theology of migration--that have characterized and continue to characterize Asian Roman Catholic theology stemming mainly from the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) since its inception in the early 1970s to the present. To use an Asian metaphor, reading this volume is like being treated to a full course Asian theological dinner: the partakers are so overwhelmed by the richness, diversity, and high quality of courses that they resolve to savor each one more mindfully at a later date.

Being a Festschrift to mark the 25th anniversary of the FABC's Office of Theological Concerns (OTC, formerly known as Theological Advisory Commission--TAC), this work contains essays written by a diverse and well-qualified group of theologians to showcase FABC theology at its finest: from the very architects of the FABC documents (such as Edmund Chia and Vimal Tirimanna) to seasoned theologians recognized as authorities in Asian theology (e.g., Peter Phan, Aloysius Pieris, and Michael Amaladoss), and other scholars who add more focused perspectives--such as feminist theology and migration--that have particular relevance for Asian theology.

Despite the diversity of the collection, one can note particular emphases that recur in the work and give coherence to this multifaceted view of Asian theology. For example, the so-called "triple dialogue" (with the underprivileged, other religions, and Asian cultures) is reflected upon and strongly advocated in practically every essay. Other noteworthy and striking emphases are the spirit of kenosis that should mark the church if it is to become a more effective instrument of God in Asia, the quintessentially Asian value of harmony, regnocentrism, and migration.

The book certainly shows that the different Asian local churches have come of age theologically and have something priceless to offer the universal church.

JULIUS-KEI KATO

King's at Western University

London, Ontario