Welcome from the Principal Editor

The St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology is coming into being through the hard work and dedication of many members of the academic community around the world. Some serve as editors; others, advisers; many more, contributors; and still more, peer reviewers. All share a commitment to making the highest quality theological scholarship freely available to all. It is only through their time, effort, and generosity of spirit that such a significant goal becomes possible.

As a collaborative and ongoing construction effort, the Encyclopaedia is being built article by article. Commissioning is well under way for articles in Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism, and readers will already find regular releases of articles within our Christianity section. Articles will soon be added for each section on an ongoing basis. Even in its full form, however, readers will not encounter a complete and static collection, as in a print encyclopaedia, but rather a growing and lively conversation among different voices, subjects, and traditions.

Readers are warmly invited to immerse themselves in this intellectual conversation by browsing the collection as it grows, reading the articles, and charting their own path through concepts and connections that stimulate their journeys of inquiry.

Whether you are a scholar by profession or just beginning your theological learning, you will find many worthy conversation partners in these pages.

I am delighted to welcome you to the St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology.

— Dr Brendan Wolfe

St Mary’s College
University of St Andrews