The Publics, Church and Hong Kong: The Narrative Nature of Public Theology

The models of public theology are closely related to contexts. Hence, any construction of public theology of Hong Kong has to pay attention to the interaction between the church and Hong Kong society. This paper employs the examples of Cardinal Bishop Zen and the Society for Truth and Light of the Protestant church to explore how Hong Kong society responds to their political involvement, and to understand what Hong Kong society is facing. At the same time, this paper also criticizes the inclination of anti-public and anti-theology in public theology. This paper suggests that the narrative nature of public theology of Hong Kong is to establish a pluralistic public sphere in order that different people can fairly participate into the formation of common good. Firstly, it is a theology that respects and protects individual narrative. Secondly, it is an analogical theology that encourages dialogue, co-operation, imagination and respect. Thirdly, it is a theological fragment that can act as irritants, challenges and insights that move the debate and practice in new directions.