Christian Theology: The Basics is a concise introduction to the nature, tasks and central concerns of theology - the study of God within the Christian tradition. Providing a broad overview of the story that Christianity tells us about our human situation before God, this book will also seek to provide encouragement and a solid foundation for the reader's further explorations within the subject. With debates surrounding the relation between faith and reason in theology, the book opens with a consideration of the basis of theology and goes on to explore key topics including: The identity of Jesus and debates in Christology The role of the Bible in shaping theological inquiry The centrality of the Trinity for all forms of Christian thinking The promise of salvation and how it is achieved. With suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter along with a glossary Christian Theology: The Basics, is the ideal starting point for those new to study of theology.

Christian Theology: The Basics is a concise introduction to the nature, tasks and central concerns of theology - the study of God within the Christian tradition. Providing a broad overview of the story that Christianity tells us about our human situation before God, this book will also seek to provide encouragement and a solid foundation for the reader's further explorations within the subject. With debates surrounding the relation between faith and reason in theology, the book opens with a consideration of the basis of theology and goes on to explore key topics including: The identity of Jesus and debates in Christology The role of the Bible in shaping theological inquiry The centrality of the Trinity for all forms of Christian thinking The promise of salvation and how it is achieved. With suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter along with a glossary Christian Theology: The Basics, is the ideal starting point for those new to study of theology.

Synopsis: Critical Conversations provides a series of theological engagements with the work of Michael Polanyi, one of the twentieth century's most profound philosophers of science. Polanyi's sustained explorations of the nature of human knowing open a range of questions and themes of profound importance for theology. He insists on the need to recover the categories of faith and belief in accounting for the way we know and points to the importance of tradition and the necessity sometimes of conversion in order to learn the truth of things. These themes are explored along with Polanyi's social and political thought, his anthropology, his hermeneutics, and his conception of truth. Several of the essays set Polanyi alongside the work of other thinkers, particularly Karl Barth, Lesslie Newbigin, Hans-Georg Gadamer, and Rene Girard, and they discuss points of comparison and contrast between the respective figures. While all the essays are appreciative of Polanyi's contribution, they do not shy away from critical analysis--and take further, therefore, the critical appreciation of Polanyi's work. Endorsement: "Though not often heard in contemporary theology, Michael Polanyi's voice had a significant influence over the likes of T. F. Torrance and Colin Gunton. . . . Polanyi's groundbreaking work offers constructive avenues for thinking through, not simply the relationship between faith and science, but many central themes in the Christian tradition. Such potential is aptly demonstrated in this warmly recommended collection of essays. Murray Rae and his colleagues have done us a good service in compiling this study." --John G. Flett Habilitand at the Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal/Bethel, and author of The Witness of God: The Trinity, Missio Dei, Karl Barth and the Nature of Christian Community (2010) "Michael Polanyi has attracted growing attention . . . in many disciplines in recent years. This scintillating collection . . . critically engages with Polanyi's post-positivist ideas on the important role in all human knowing played by faith, relationality, authority, tradition, and communities of inquiry. As well as exploring his social, political, anthropological, and theological views, contributors bring Polanyi into conversation with Karl Barth, Lesslie Newbiggin, Hans-Georg Gadamer, and Rene Girard. This is theology-and-science at its most responsible, insightful, and interesting. Read it " --John Stenhouse Associate Professor, Department of History, University of Otago, and editor with Ronald L. Numbers of Disseminating Darwinism: The Role of Place, Race, Religion and Gender (1999) "Critical Conversations displays two remarkably distinctive things about . . . Michael Polanyi's epistemology. The rich, open-ended truthfulness of his proposals inspires innovative and penetrating cross-disciplinary conversations of all kinds; and conversants thus engaged experience freeing creativity and conviviality. Theological engagement is especially fruitful since Polanyi himself challenges a deadening Enlightenment legacy with an approach that is knowledge- and humanity- and hope-restoring because it is theologically attuned. These essayists offer a rich conversation that others may join profitably--convivially." --Esther L. Meek Associate Professor of Philosophy, Geneva College, and author of Loving to Know: Introducing Covenant Epistemology (2011) Editor Biography: Murray Rae is Professor of Theology and Ethics at the University of Otago, New Zealand.

Based on the author's thesis (Ph.D)--University of Auckland, 2009.

This is an introduction to the influence of Kierkegaard's thought on the development of modern theology. Kierkegaard is in many respects an enigmatic figure. About half of his published work appears under an array of pseudonyms and Kierkegaard himself advises that readers should not presume his agreement with any of the views appearing under pseudonymous authorship. Alongside the pseudonymous works are a long series of discourses published under Kierkegaard's own name, and accompanying the whole corpus are six volumes of Journals in which Kierkegaard experiments with ideas and makes note of his own questions and discoveries. Kierkegaard's concern throughout the authorship was to make clear, in opposition to the corrosive forces of Christendom and the posturing of contemporary philosophy, what authentic Christian faith consists in. "The Philosophy and Theology Series" looks at major philosophers and explores their relevance to theological thought as well as the response of theology.

This is an introduction to the influence of Kierkegaard's thought on the development of modern theology. Kierkegaard is in many respects an enigmatic figure. About half of his published work appears under an array of pseudonyms and Kierkegaard himself advises that readers should not presume his agreement with any of the views appearing under pseudonymous authorship. Alongside the pseudonymous works are a long series of discourses published under Kierkegaard's own name, and accompanying the whole corpus are six volumes of Journals in which Kierkegaard experiments with ideas and makes note of his own questions and discoveries. Kierkegaard's concern throughout the authorship was to make clear, in opposition to the corrosive forces of Christendom and the posturing of contemporary philosophy, what authentic Christian faith consists in. "The Philosophy and Theology" series looks at major philosophers and explores their relevance to theological thought as well as the response of theology.

An incisive examination of the relation between historiography and hermeneutics over the past three hundred years of western thought. Murray Rae argues that the practice of contemporary biblical hermeneutics has been radically impaired by a widespread allegiance to a series of problematic assumptions about history. He offers a theological account of what history is, centred on the categories of creation and divine promise, and proposes that it is within this theological conception of history that the "Bible" may be understood on its own terms. "History and Hermeneutics" is both critical and constructive, identifying the crucial problems and proposing a way forward. The ecclesial reading of Scripture and the value of tradition are rehabilitated, and an account is given of how we may properly ask the question, 'What really happened?'

A collection of cutting-edge essays examining key themes in contemporary Christology. Understanding the person of Christ affects our understanding of all Christian theology. All ten contributors to this volume share a commitment to the orthodox theological tradition in Christology as expressed in the creedal heritage of the Christian church, and seek to explicate the continuing coherence and importance of that theological tradition. The book's ten essays cover such topics as prolegomena to Christology, the incarnation, the person and nature of Christ, the communicatio idiomatum, the baptism of Christ, the redemptive work of Christ, the ascended Christ, and New Testament Christology, and offers critical engagements with such diverse theologians as John Calvin, Charles Williams and John Zizioulas. The contributors, all leading academics, include: John Webster, Richard Burridge, Robert Jenson, Stephen Holmes, Douglas Farrow, Brian Horne, ...

In popular culture, science and theology have often been portrayed as antagonistic. Some writers have described the history of the debate in terms of a surrender by theology, a retreat from the field of engagement: theology has abandoned the public arena, leaving all creation to science, and has opted instead for the safer ground of ethics, morality and personal or private belief. Science and Theology advocates a constructive dialogue between the two subjects and suggests the topics where they might meet. The essays in this volume were commissioned from leading figures around the world - experts in their own disciplines, but enthusiasts for debate at the science and theology interface. They include Norma Emerton, Owen Gingerich, Nancey Murphy, John Polkinghorne, John Puddefoot and Carver T. Yu. They discuss natural theology, the methodologies of science and theology, and theology in the light of scientific discovery. Their themes cover scientism, divine action in the world, the problem of evil, freedom and determinism, reductionism and humanity, the limits of knowledge, and chaos theory. Together, these essays offer a significant and positive contribution to one of the most exciting areas of modern thought.

The T&T Clark Handbook of Colin Gunton is a theological companion to the study of Gunton's theology, and a resource for thinking about Gunton's importance in modern theology. Each of the essays brings Gunton's depth to a broad range of contemporary theological concerns. The volume unveils cutting-edge Gunton scholarship for a new generation and at the same time enables readers to see the timely significance of Gunton today. Each of the essays not only introduces readers to key themes in the Gunton corpus, but also provides readers with fresh interpretations that are fully conversant with the contemporary theological problems facing the church. Designed as both a guide for students and a reference point for scholars, the companion seeks both to outline the frameworks of key Gunton debates while at all times pushing forward fresh interpretative strategies concerning his thought.

The T&T Clark Handbook of Colin Gunton is a theological companion to the study of Gunton's theology, and a resource for thinking about Gunton's importance in modern theology. Each of the essays brings Gunton's depth to a broad range of contemporary theological concerns. The volume unveils cutting-edge Gunton scholarship for a new generation and at the same time enables readers to see the timely significance of Gunton today. Each of the essays not only introduces readers to key themes in the Gunton corpus, but also provides readers with fresh interpretations that are fully conversant with the contemporary theological problems facing the church. Designed as both a guide for students and a reference point for scholars, the companion seeks both to outline the frameworks of key Gunton debates while at all times pushing forward fresh interpretative strategies concerning his thought.