occurs only after comparison.Contemporary theology has, so far, been mainly a text-based discipline, and comparative theologians engage primarily with texts from one religious tradition outside their own, due to the in-depth study that is required. Although associated with Christian theology, the approach applied in comparative theology is not particularly Christian and can be a practiced grounded in other religious traditions as well. History and key figures Comparative theology has historical forerunners in figures such as the Jesuit missionaries Francis Xavier and Roberto de Nobili. Since the 1980s, comparative theology has developed as a particular theological response to the growing religious diversity in the contemporary world. It has been introduced by Francis X. Clooney and James L. Fredericks, and is a methodology used by individuals such as David Tracy, Keith Ward, and Robert C. Neville. The discipline arose through the growing impact of Alan Race's three-fold understanding of theology of religions, that resulted in various arguments about the benefits of the models of theology of religions. A new generation of comparative theologians is today expanding the discourse, drawing it in new directions. See also Multiple religious belonging References Notes Bibliography Theology Relationships between religions Religious terminology World Christianity