Paul F. Knitter papers, 1959 -- 2013

Creator:
Knitter, Paul F.
Abstract:
Paul F. Knitter (b. 1939) was a UTS faculty member from 2007-present (emeritus), and is an author and theologian invested in pluralism and interfaith dialogue. The collection contains books and notes from his time in Germany and Rome, textual materials for courses by Knitter and about his travels, lectures, published and unpublished articles by Knitter, Vatican problematta, certificates and plaques, photographs, graphic materials, and audiovisual materials.
Extent:
29.75 linear feet 29.75 linear feet; 50 boxes
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

This collection contains books and notes from his time in Germany and Rome, textual materials for courses by Knitter and about his travels, lectures, published and unpublished articles by Knitter, Vatican problematta, certificates and plaques, photographs, graphic materials, and audiovisual materials.

Biographical / historical:

Paul F. Knitter was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 25, 1939. He married Cathy Cornell. In 1966, he obtained a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. In 1972, was granted permission to leave the priesthood in 1975, and received a doctorate from the University of Marburg in Germany. In 1975-2002, he was Professor Emeritus of Theology at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1986-2004 he was on the Board of Directors for CRISPAZ (Christians for Peace in El Salvador). He is on the Board of International Interreligious Peace Council. He joined the Union Theological Seminary in 2007 and was named Paul Tillich Professor of Theology, World Religions and Culture in 2008. He married Cathy Cornell, and as of 2016, continues to teach at Union Theological Seminary as professor emeritus. His teachings, research, and publications deal largely with religious pluralism and interreligious dialogue. He began to pursue these and other controversial religious issues in 1964 when he was a seminarian in Rome and experienced the Second Vatican Council when the Roman Catholic Church revealed its new attitude towards other religions. He has been previously criticized by the Vatican for his positions on many of the Church's firmly-held positions, including abortion. In 1984, he signed "A Catholic Statement on Pluralism and Abortion", and traveled the world to deepen his religious and ethical beliefs. He traveled to South Korea to promote interfaith dialogue between Buddhists and Christians. Knitter's publications include the 1985 book, No Other Name? in which he explores how the religious communities of the world can cooperate in promoting human and ecological well-being. This is the topic of the 1995 One Earth Many Religions: Multifaith Dialogue and Global Responsibility and the 1996 Jesus and the Other Names: Christian Mission and Global Responsibility. In 2005, Knitter edited a multifaith exploration titled The Myth of Religious Superiority. His 2009 publication is Without Buddha I Could Not Be A Christian: A Personal Journey of Passing Over and Passing Back.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection open for research.

The following boxes are located offsite: all boxes in series 1 through 7B. Please note that requests for use of boxes held in offsite storage must be made three business days in advance.

Terms of access:

Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.

Preferred citation:

Item description, UTS1: Paul F. Knitter papers, series #, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Location of this collection:
Burke Home Page
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Contact:
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