In 1976 a group of theologians from Africa, Asia, and Latin America founded the "Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians" (EATWOT). They concluded that only a radical break with the theological traditions of the West could help them to develop their own theology suited to liberation and self-realisation. The central con-cept of the new theology is "the People", used in a politi-cal-revolutionary sense.

Professor Beyerhaus examines the roots of this move-ment and analyses its various forms, which incide "Black Theology", "Minjung Theology" (Koren, and "Feminist Theology". He poses the question: What is be-hind the demand for authentic "indigenous Theologies"? Is there not a coordinated endeavour to introduce into all churches an emancipatory ideology of salvation which is contrary to traditional Christianity? If so, the Church world-wide is threatened by a new schism.