Theosis shapes contemporary Orthodox theology in two ways: positively and negatively. In the positive sense, contemporary Orthodox theologians made theosis the thread that bound together the various aspects of theology in a coherent whole and also interpreted patristic texts, which experienced a renaissance in the twentieth century, even in Orthodox theology. In the negative sense, contemporary theologians used theosis as a triumphalistic club to beat down Catholic and Protestant Christians, claiming that they rejected theosis in favor of either a rationalistic or fideistic approach to Christian life. The essays collected in this volume move beyond this East–West divide by examining the relation between faith, reason, and theosis from Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant perspectives. A variety of themes are addressed, such as the nature–grace debate and the relation of philosophy to theology, through engagement with such diverse thinkers as Thomas Aquinas, John Wesley, Meister Eckhart, Dionysius the Areopagite, Symeon the New Theologian, Panayiotis Nellas, Vladimir Lossky, Martin Luther, Martin Heidegger, Sergius Bulgakov, John of the Cross, Delores Williams, Evagrius of Pontus, and Hans Urs von Balthasar. The essays in this book are situated within a current thinking on theosis that consists of a common, albeit minimalist, affirmation amidst the flow of differences. The authors in this volume contribute to the historical theological task of complicating the contemporary Orthodox narrative, but they also continue the “theological achievement” of thinking about theosis so that all Christian traditions may be challenged to stretch and shift their understanding of theosis even amidst an ecumenical celebration of the gift of participation in the life of God.

Theosis shapes contemporary Orthodox theology in two ways: positively and negatively. In the positive sense, contemporary Orthodox theologians made theosis the thread that bound together the various aspects of theology in a coherent whole and also interpreted patristic texts, which experienced a renaissance in the twentieth century, even in Orthodox theology. In the negative sense, contemporary theologians used theosis as a triumphalistic club to beat down Catholic and Protestant Christians, claiming that they rejected theosis in favor of either a rationalistic or fideistic approach to Christian life. The essays collected in this volume move beyond this East–West divide by examining the relation between faith, reason, and theosis from Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant perspectives. A variety of themes are addressed, such as the nature–grace debate and the relation of philosophy to theology, through engagement with such diverse thinkers as Thomas Aquinas, John Wesley, Meister Eckhart, Dionysius the Areopagite, Symeon the New Theologian, Panayiotis Nellas, Vladimir Lossky, Martin Luther, Martin Heidegger, Sergius Bulgakov, John of the Cross, Delores Williams, Evagrius of Pontus, and Hans Urs von Balthasar. The essays in this book are situated within a current thinking on theosis that consists of a common, albeit minimalist, affirmation amidst the flow of differences. The authors in this volume contribute to the historical theological task of complicating the contemporary Orthodox narrative, but they also continue the “theological achievement” of thinking about theosis so that all Christian traditions may be challenged to stretch and shift their understanding of theosis even amidst an ecumenical celebration of the gift of participation in the life of God.

The Oxford Handbook of the Epistemology of Theology brings together leading scholars in the fields of theology and epistemology to examine and articulate what can be categorized as appropriate epistemic evaluation in theology. Part one focuses on some of the epistemic concepts that have been traditionally employed in theology such as knowledge of God, revelation and scripture, reason and faith, experience, and tradition. This section also considers concepts that have not received sufficient epistemological attention in theology, such as saints, authority, ecclesial practices, spiritual formation, and discernment. Part two concentrates on epistemic concepts that have received significant attention in contemporary epistemology and can be related to theology such as understanding, wisdom, testimony, virtue, evidence, foundationalism, realism/antirealism, scepticism, and disagreement. Part three offers examples from key figures in the Christian tradition and investigates the relevant epistemological issues and insights in these writers, as well as recognizing the challenges of connecting insights from contemporary epistemology with the subject of theology proper, namely, God. Part four centres on five emerging areas that warrant further epistemological consideration: liberation theology, continental philosophy, modern orthodox writers, feminism, and Pentecostalism. This authoritative collection explores how the various topics, figures, and emerging conversations can be reconceived and addressed in light of recent developments in epistemology. Each chapter provides an analysis of the crucial moves, positions, and debates, while also identifying relevant epistemic considerations. This handbook fulfils the need for the development of this new conversation that will take its natural place in the intersection of theology and epistemology. It links the fields of theology and epistemology in robust, meaningful, and significant ways.

En este libro, el profesor William Abraham afirma que la evangelizacion es un arte. Y, por consiguiente, debe ser llevado a cabo con cuidado, ha de ser emprendido con seria reflexion y colocarse en el marco de la estrategia global de la vida eclesial. Es mas, sostiene que no se consiguen mas cristianos por el simple hecho de difundir palabras a la gente, sino por el cuidado y el amor que refleja una comunidad cristiana que toma muy en serio la Biblia y sus propias tradiciones. La coleccion SEUT es una seleccion de libros academicos, adaptados al lector para que profundice, de forma accesible, en los temas pilares de la Teologia. El area Ministerio y Mision es un rico instrumento para el lector que quiera practicar la fe que proclama dentro y fuera de su comunidad cristiana."

Analytic Theology was an accident waiting to happen. For most of the twentieth century Anglo-American analytic philosophy was systematically hostile to theology. With the revival of philosophy of religion (at Oxford with Basil Mitchell and at Notre Dame with Alvin Plantinga) it was clear that a new day had arrived. Then philosophers began work on specific Christian doctrine. The latest development is the arrival of an exciting new movement where the skills and resources of analytic theology are available to theology. William J. Abraham's essay sets the table; the ensuing bibliography provides a salutary menu. William J. Abraham is Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies and Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Texas, United States. Published by Highland Loch Press, Dallas, Texas, in association with Wordsmith Academic Press.

For centuries the Bible has been the backbone of Christianity and of Christian theology. Yet it has also been the subject of fierce controversy. Truth be told, theorizing about it (as opposed to reading it) has been the cause of massive loss of faith among Christians. An inflated and exaggerated vision of the Bible has caused believers to stumble rather than grow in the faith. In turn lovers of the Bible have turned in hostility against those who do not share their supposedly high vision of its worth and role. In 'The Bible: Beyond the Impasse' William J. Abraham tracks the problem back to its source. Astonishingly, well-meaning theologians invented an approach to Holy Scripture that backfired with a vengeance by fostering skepticism about the place of the Bible in the life of faith and in theology itself. Happily, more recent scholarship, represented by leading evangelical scholars like Bishop Tom Wright, has tried to find a constructive way beyond the battle for the Bible. However, as the diagnosis does not go deep enough, the solution remains incomplete and fragile. Abraham argues for a more accurate account of what has gone wrong and develops a more fruitful way forward. The result is a book that will provide a vision of the Bible that is spiritually liberating and intellectually bracing.

Everybody knows that mainline Christianity in the West is on the skids. This book explains why. Using the Methodist church as a case study, Abraham shows the fatal policy decisions in play over the last two centuries. By means of a lively overview of the lives of Albert Outler, John Sung, and William Arthur, he shows what choices were made and why. He also shows how the church in the West can recover its nerve and get back on track. Everyone interested in the recovery of Christianity in the West should read this book. William J. Abraham is Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies and Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor at Perkins School of Theology, located at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, United States.

In the wake of 9/11 much has been written on terrorism. Some have examined the potential relation between religion and terrorism, few, if any, have studied the relation between theology and terrorism. In the latter case, the crucial issue is whether theology provides indirect or direct motivation and justification for terrorist acts. Drawing on his childhood and youth in Northern Ireland, William J. Abraham tackles the latter question head on. He argues that religious themes and practices play a pivotal indirect role in terrorism in Ireland and shows that theology plays a pivotal direct role in forms of Islamist terrorism. Hence current forms of terrorism cannot be fully understood without coming to terms with the crucial place of religion and theology in their origins and persistent existence. Beyond this he explores what ordinary people can do to respond to terrorism, what they should expect from the state by way of protection, how they can resist pious nonsense about forgiveness in respect to terrorism, and how they can face the depth of evil that terrorism represents for all of us. Written with economy and energy, this book is an eye-opener on terrorism; it is also a rigorous theological response to the moral and spiritual challenges posed by one of the great evils of our times.