Nor is it possible to think about Europe without giving some attention to a complex history which has profoundly influenced all other continents in various ways. This issue of The Way looks to the future - and, more specifically, to the effect that recently emerging dialogues are having on the development of faith in Europe. In addition to a survey of recent theological developments, we offer an account of new dialogues in the East. Other articles attend to the traditional 'myths' of Europe and to the re-emergence of new ways of interpreting European religion. Christ himself, for instance, is understood as the Lamb of God as well as the Good Shepherd.
Christian tradition is full of animal imagery.
Many legends of the lives of saints tell of their companionship with animals. Yet it is only in more recent times that some of the crucial ethical issues surrounding human treatment of non-human creatures have begun to make an impact on theology. This issue seeks to bring the richness of Christian tradition into dialogue with current questions. In various forms the image of the maze or labyrinth is as old as antiquity. It is to be found in a number of literary and religious traditions, from Mahayana Buddhism to medieval Christianity.