Theological Literacy and Digital Existence

Christian Schlenker

Abstract

We participate in a world that is co-created through digital mediation and digitally designed social imaginaries. These imaginaries provide us with patterns, not only of how we interpret the world and our existence, but what the world is and who we are, can and want to be in this world. Theological language offers potentials to perceive, interpret and articulate profound dimensions of existence in these digitally structured contexts. In my paper, the formation of the self-image is taken as an example how this theological literacy may help to understand and to shape the experience of self in digital contexts.

Biography

Christian Schlenker is a researcher at the University of Tübingen. His PhD thesis in Systematic Theology examined Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Heidegger. His current research includes a project that deals with a theological / metaphysical literacy and investigates forms of language, reflection and modes of communication in ecumenical and interreligious contexts. Christian Schlenker has been working in various contexts on digital theology and ethics.