Inter-religious Studies

Europe and Norway are steadily more marked by religious pluralism. The relation between the world religions and the theme of religious dialogue has been an integrated part of the study program at the Faculty of Theology since 1997. At the same time, themes such as religious dialogue, Islam in Norway, Christian-Buddhist relations, new religiosity, religion and secularity, and religious studies teaching in the multi-cultural school have become important parts of the Faculty’s research.

Since 2000, this field has been defined as a particularly prioritized area at the Faculty, under the title of “inter-religious studies”. Studies and research in the field consider inter-religious relations, but also the relation between religion and society in general (for example the tension between religion and secularism and the relation between religion and human rights).

The field of expertise also includes comparative religious studies in an historical perspective. The main focus is however on the current dynamic meeting between religions and worldviews – locally and globally. As an agent in religious processes of change, the Faculty does not simply want to do inter-religious studies, but also to itself contribute to the living dialogue and necessary reflection around this.

Inter-religious studies are an important aspect of the interdisciplinary research program Religion in Pluralistic Societies (PluRel, 2009-) and was also an important part of the research program Religion in a Globalised Age (2001-2005).

• See the Horizon document for inter-religious studies (pdf - in Norwegian)
• See a topical page on inter-religious studies (with international links)

Permanent staff connected to the research area:

• Oddbjørn Leirvik, Professor
• Jone Salomonsen, Professor
• Notto Thelle, Senior Professor (Emeritus)

Research fellows connected to the research area:

• Anne Hege Grung
• Asla Maria Bø
• Helge Årsheim

International Networks:

• The Faculty is connected to the European Society for Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies (ESITIS). ESITIS publishes the journal Studies in Interreligious Dialogue.