TH6.1: Union's Accidental Theologian
BY ANDREA DAVIS
The Rev. Peter Phan is the Visiting Professor of Theology and Culture at Union. A Vietnamese-American priest, Phan is the Ignacio Ellacuria, SJ, Professor of Catholic Social Thought at Georgetown University and a preeminent Catholic theologian in the English-speaking world. He holds doctorates in theology, philosophy, and divinity, as well as an honorary doctorate in theology. Phan is the author of Christianity with an Asian Face: Asian American Theology in the Making.
I sat down with Dr. Phan, a humorous and laid-back personality, in his 4th-floor office, to discuss the past, present, and future of his work.
AD: Did you have a religious upbringing?
PP: Yes. My family is Roman Catholic…for at least four or five generations back. Christianity came to Vietnam in the 17th century.
AD: What sort of religious formation was a part of your decision to become a theologian?
PP: I am what you would call an “accidental theologian!” This means that theology was never something that I wanted to do when I was younger. I studied languages as an undergraduate, and had I not gone on to become a theologian, probably would have continued in that field. I came to the US in 1975 as a refugee, with many family members to support. I knew that I could not work as a pastor, because of a lack of knowledge of the cultural context of the United States. So I decided on philosophy. However, when I went to teach at the University of Dallas, they did not have philosophy. Instead, they asked me to teach theology. This is how these things happen. I got it, liked it, and kept it. So my basic answer is that I owe my career to Divine Providence.
AD: You’re teaching a class at Union called “Culture, Religion, Theology.” What got you interested in the relationship between these three subjects?
PP: Well, I was invited to Union to fill the Paul Tillich chair in Culture, World Religions, and Theology. But I have been interested in this area for a long time. I have published extensively in this area. Previously, the United States only focused on the connection between theology and culture. But the interest in the element of religion is emerging with the increase in immigrants in the US. There has been a resurgence of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, that was unexpected by those encouraging immigration in the 1980s. With globalization, there is more of a focus on multiculturalism.
AD: What is your ultimate career goal? What is it that you are seeking?
PP: I would ultimately like to pursue three lines of dialogue. First, how does faith relate to bringing about justice in the world? Especially in light of events such as Katrina. Secondly, how is it that Christianity is expressed so diversely in the US? And third, I am interested in understanding how different religions can participate in a dialogue about bringing about peace.
AD: Thank you, Professor Phan, for your time. We are happy to have you here at Union this year, and appreciate all that you bring.
PP: Thank you.
Andrea Davis is a third-year MDiv student and Managing Editor of The Turning House.
The Rev. Peter Phan is the Visiting Professor of Theology and Culture at Union. A Vietnamese-American priest, Phan is the Ignacio Ellacuria, SJ, Professor of Catholic Social Thought at Georgetown University and a preeminent Catholic theologian in the English-speaking world. He holds doctorates in theology, philosophy, and divinity, as well as an honorary doctorate in theology. Phan is the author of Christianity with an Asian Face: Asian American Theology in the Making.
I sat down with Dr. Phan, a humorous and laid-back personality, in his 4th-floor office, to discuss the past, present, and future of his work.
AD: Did you have a religious upbringing?
PP: Yes. My family is Roman Catholic…for at least four or five generations back. Christianity came to Vietnam in the 17th century.
AD: What sort of religious formation was a part of your decision to become a theologian?
PP: I am what you would call an “accidental theologian!” This means that theology was never something that I wanted to do when I was younger. I studied languages as an undergraduate, and had I not gone on to become a theologian, probably would have continued in that field. I came to the US in 1975 as a refugee, with many family members to support. I knew that I could not work as a pastor, because of a lack of knowledge of the cultural context of the United States. So I decided on philosophy. However, when I went to teach at the University of Dallas, they did not have philosophy. Instead, they asked me to teach theology. This is how these things happen. I got it, liked it, and kept it. So my basic answer is that I owe my career to Divine Providence.
AD: You’re teaching a class at Union called “Culture, Religion, Theology.” What got you interested in the relationship between these three subjects?
PP: Well, I was invited to Union to fill the Paul Tillich chair in Culture, World Religions, and Theology. But I have been interested in this area for a long time. I have published extensively in this area. Previously, the United States only focused on the connection between theology and culture. But the interest in the element of religion is emerging with the increase in immigrants in the US. There has been a resurgence of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, that was unexpected by those encouraging immigration in the 1980s. With globalization, there is more of a focus on multiculturalism.
AD: What is your ultimate career goal? What is it that you are seeking?
PP: I would ultimately like to pursue three lines of dialogue. First, how does faith relate to bringing about justice in the world? Especially in light of events such as Katrina. Secondly, how is it that Christianity is expressed so diversely in the US? And third, I am interested in understanding how different religions can participate in a dialogue about bringing about peace.
AD: Thank you, Professor Phan, for your time. We are happy to have you here at Union this year, and appreciate all that you bring.
PP: Thank you.
Andrea Davis is a third-year MDiv student and Managing Editor of The Turning House.
posted by JP at 8:05 AM
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