HTS Theological Studies is an acclaimed Open Access journal, which publishes articles from a critical theological perspective on Christian praxis to address local, contextual and international challenges.
The notion ‘critical’ refers to in-depth scholarly investigations that generate significant and innovative insights. The term ‘Christian praxis’ is understood in an inclusive ecumenical sense as the concrete activities of Christian churches, organisations and movements in history. The meaning of ‘theological’ can be explained by using the acronym HTS. It refers to Christian studies that encompass Historical Thought and Sources.
The Historical dimension of Christian praxis includes studies in the nature and development of significant movements, institutions, conflicts, myths, legends, narratives and philosophies that have impacted Christian history. Contributions are welcome that examine the history of the Christian religion in its encounter with various cultures, religions and ideologies, by studying it from perspectives such as phenomenology, psychology, philosophy and sociology.
The Thought dimension of Christian praxis refers to the concept fides quaerens intellectum (‘faith seeking understanding’). HTS welcomes contributions that critique and develop the scholarly disciplines in Christian theology that are devoted to exegetical, hermeneutical, systematic, ethical, historical, ministerial and missiological endeavours. Theological contributions on interfaith encounters and on issues of gender, culture, race, class are encouraged.
The Sources dimension of Christian praxis refers to studies on the interpretation of the written and oral sources that have shaped (and continue to shape) the Christian movement. These sources include the Hebrew Scriptures, the Septuagint, Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Intertestamental literature, the New Testament and early Christian literature, Rabbinic literature, Patristics, the confessional documents of Christian denominations, and the publications of ecumenical bodies.
Contributions are welcome from every continent and theological persuasion. HTS provides a platform for research collaboration between theologians and scholars from various fields outlined above and encourages multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary studies in the international theological arena.