Call for PapersGlobal Authoritarianism as a Challenge to Practical TheologyInternational Journal of Practical Theology 29 (2025) 2

1. August 2025, von Lukas Brinkmann

Foto: UHH/ De Gruyter

Authoritarianism is a growing threat in many parts of our world. Prominent thinkers who only a few years ago triumphantly proclaimed “the end of history,” “the end of power,” and the global triumph of democracy, now voice growing alarm at the rapid rise of totalitarian regimes and sentiments internationally. Autocratic governments and actors consolidate their power and forge alliances, often using the very tools and techniques (such as social media and community organizing strategies) that were once thought to make participatory democracy irresistible.

For their part, faith communities have been anything but immune from this trend, as old and new forms of religious nationalism and intolerance have been used to legitimize these developments. How religion has contributed to the growth of authoritarianism in our time, and how it can provide resources and strategies for combating it?

How do concepts of religious authority and unity relate to political authoritarianism? How do religious factors interact with other dimensions such as culture, society, and technology in complex and multifaceted dynamics? How can counter-concepts such as equality, diversity, discursivity, tolerance of ambiguity be conceived?

We invite papers from all parts of the world and religious traditions that address global authoritarianism as a challenge to Practical Theology.

Papers can be submitted here until August 1, 2025: https://www.degruyter.com/journal/key/ijpt/html

- The Managing Editors: Pamela Couture, Birgit Weyel, Steve Simmons, Felix Roleder

The call for papers as PDF can be obtained here (PDF, 5 kB).