Theology’s Public Mandate in a Siloed World

On the basis of its own criteria, Michael Mørch’s attempt to validate systematic theology as a “rationally justified public discourse” within the modern university succeeds on the basis of its own criteria. However, I question whether the proposal is comprehensive enough to account for the reality and truth addressed by theology and the discipline’s inherently public nature. Thus, I offer an alternative, more expansive understanding of public discourse drawing on three thinkers: Charles Taylor, for a richer sense of realism; Paul Tillich, for a more comprehensive view of truth; and David Tracy, for a more robust notion of publicness. I conclude by arguing that theology has a mandate, on inner theological grounds, to establish and sustain public arenas, especially in a time when public discourse of all kinds is increasingly being threatened across a range of domains, including the academy.