Salt: Crossroads of Religion and Culture 2 (2024)

Salt issue Nr. 2 comes at a critical time. War has erupted on European soil, with no end in sight. The Cold War has reignited—this time more intense. Lives, livelihoods, and the very fabric of humanity are at risk amidst a profound shift in the condition of humanity. Rapid changes are impacting the global economy, and democracy is in jeopardy worldwide. In Palestine, suffering and death have become pervasive, as genocidal policies are being implemented in real time. The spectre of a broader regional conflict looms closer.
On the periphery, wars and coups d’état have become business as usual. Yet, Salt: Crossroads of Religion and Culture rejects the concepts of ‘centre’ and ‘periphery’ with regard to theology; we are all under the same sun and all children of God. For decades, Missiology has sought to challenge centralised, prescriptive approaches to Christian mission, advocating instead for a multidirectional movement with mission from the margins, as emphasised in the latest ecumenical document on mission, Together Towards Life (TTL).
Alongside the ecumenical movement and in affirmation of Orthodox identity and tradition, Salt: Crossroads of Religion and Culture rejects colonial and neo-colonial views of mission. Mission is not about exploiting but serving people, and postcolonial and decolonial perspectives are vital to our understanding of theology and faith.
Living in critical times has a dual impact, as fear and hope wrestle within human hearts. Yet this moment also presents an opportunity to redefine ourselves, our actions, and our paths. For Christians, Christ is both the way and the destination, yet we must reexamine the particularity of individual steps and perspectives. Salt embraces life in all its complexity and diversity, spanning continents, social classes, and historical contexts.

Scholars say about Salt:

Why SALT? Because it is about cross-cultural theology, dialogue and mission; because it is an Orthodox journal. For me as a Lutheran theologian who grew up in Romania, listening to and working together with Orthodox mission study scholars remains an ongoing task with relevance for peaceful living together and for integrity in Christian witness.

Prof. Dr Dorottya Nagy

SALT is creating an exceptional platform where both theological and missional conversations are valued. These practical conversations are highly enriching for our current understanding of theological and mission studies in the Orthodox context. Moreover, SALT has provided an academic space where each and every voice matters and is heard at the same time. In addition, a unique effort has been made to reach out to cultural practices for example from Africa (Marriage in Buganda Community, Banyore Culture in Dialogue with Orthodox Christianity among others), that are already in dialogue with the Orthodox theological ethos. This means that SALT is paying attention to critical cultural praxis, which is crucial for enhancing the current understanding and practices of mission and evangelism in the African context and beyond.

Rev. Dr John Ngige Njoroge

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