David F Ford

The Future of Christian Theology

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

In The Future of Christian Theology, one of the world's leading theologians tackles the question of how we should think about Christian faith and practice today -- and especially tomorrow. With engaging clarity and great insight, the book explores the ways Christian theology in the twenty-first century can face the challenges of our complex religious and secular world in a way that is creative, empathetic, and wise. Inspired by a passion for wisdom, noted Christian theologian David Ford seeks to answer some of the most thought-provoking questions in contemporary theological thinking and scholarship. After addressing the reasons why the past century has been one of the most fruitful in the history of Christian thought, Ford looks forward to explore some of the most important and generative ways to consider contemporary theological issues. Themes and topics covered include what makes for 'good theology, ' the relationship of Christian theology to church, academy, society, and other faiths; and what it takes to become a theologian in today's world. At the heart of Ford's vision for theology is the God of love and wisdom who stretches minds, hearts, and imaginations by inviting people deeper into the drama of contemporary life and thought. Above all, this theology faces the challenges of -- and our responses to -- the cries of suffering, joy, fear, wonder, despair, desire, and more that pervade our world.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Wiley
• Seitenzahl: 256
• Erscheinungstermin: 7. März 2011
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 231mm x 150mm x 20mm
• Gewicht: 522g
• ISBN-13: 9781405142724
• ISBN-10: 1405142723
• Artikelnr.: 35346582

Autorenporträt

David F. Ford is Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of numerous books, including Christian Wisdom. Desiring God and Learning in Love (2007), The Shape of Living (2002), Theology: A Very Short Introduction (2000) and Self and Salvation: Being Transformed (1999). He is also the Director of the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface

1. A Cry for Wisdom: Theology for the Twenty-first Century

2. Drama in Bible, Theology and Life

3. A Dramatic Code for Twenty-first Century Theology

4. Desire Above All

5. Belonging: Church, Collegiality, Conversation

6. Church and Society

7. Inter-Faith Blessing

8. New Theology and Religious Studies: Shaping, Teaching andFunding a Field

9. Becoming a Theologian: The Apprentice

10. The Bible - Creative Source of Theology

Index

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Preface. Source Acknowledgments. 1 A Cry for Wisdom: Theology for the
Twenty-first Century. From the Twentieth to the Twenty-first Century:
Theological Abundance and Variety. Four Elements of Wise Creativity.
Conclusion. 2 Drama in Bible, Theology, and Life. The Bible: More Dramatic
than Epic or Lyric. Gospel of John - Epic, Lyric, and above all Dramatic.
Intensity and Extensity in the Ongoing Drama. Conclusion: Drama, Wise
Theological Creativity, and an Unanswered Question. 3 A Dramatic Code for
Twenty-first Century Theology. Modern Secularity and the Health of the
Public Sphere. A Drama-centered Account of Modernity. A Dramatic Code for
Theology Today. Conclusion: Within and Beyond the Drama. 4 Desire Above
All. A Balanced Dynamic of Theological Moods. Between Closed Religion and
Wide Open Religion. Theological Moods in Bible and Tradition. God-centered
Moods: The Divine Passive. 5 Belonging: Church, Collegiality, Conversation.
Belonging to God and Each Other through Covenant. Theological Creativity in
and for the Church. Learning and Teaching Together: Collegiality. Extended
Belonging: Conversations. Intensive Belonging: Cohabitations,
Collaborations, and Movements. Intimate Belonging: Friendships. Conclusion:
Complex Belonging. 6 Church and Society. First Case Study: Dietrich
Bonhoeffer. Continuing This Drama. Contemporary Case: Theological Tasks for
the Church in Democratic Civil Societies. 7 Inter-Faith Blessing. A Jewish
Blessing: Dabru Emet. A Muslim Blessing: A Common Word. Scriptural
Reasoning as "First Inter-Faith Theology". Seeking Wisdom for Inter-Faith
Engagement: A Muscat Manifesto. Civil Wisdom. 8 New Theology and Religious
Studies: Shaping, Teaching, and Funding a Field. What is New Theology and
Religious Studies? A Framework for Creativity. Other Frameworks. Curriculum
and Teachers. Funding. The Global Potential of New Theology and Religious
Studies. 9 Becoming a Theologian: The Apprentice. Disciple and Apprentice.
Retrieval - A Receptive, Reading Self. Engagement - A Loved and Loving
Self. Thinking - An Imaginative, Discerning Self. Communication - A
Witnessing, Poetic Self. 10 The Bible: Creative Source of Theology. How the
Bible Has Shaped This Manifesto. What Sort of Bible Reading is This? The
Four Elements of Wise and Creative Theology in the Bible. A Biblical Hope
for Twenty-first Century Theology. Notes and References. Index.

Rezensionen

"In my opinion, this book's readability is itsgreatest strength because here it comes closest to serving hispurpose: to stimulate readers to seek wisdom and thereby assistthem in shaping not only their personal lives butsociety." (Studies in Religion, 1 September2013)

"Thus far, the volume is of general interest, but therefollows two more specialist chapters which cover academic teaching,curriculum shaping and funding and then the process of learning tobe a theologian." (Evangelical Quarterly, 3 July2012)

"This thoughtful and encouraging book forms part of a newseries addressing contemporary debates and controversies in thehumanities and social sciences . . . The book deserves to be readprayerfully and I hope it will find its way into the hands of thosetraining for ministry as well as parish clergy and congregationalleaders." (Religion & Theology, 1 August2012)

"Ford's central achievement, then, is his insistenceon a model of theology that bears witness to the unity, diversity,and vibrancy of twenty-first century Christianity." (The Furrow, 1 September 2012)"The Future of Christian Theology is a book which is at once asbold and exciting as it is sensitive and wise. . . The book marksthe very best of what that series might provide: written inexceptionally clear and accessible prose, it is neverthelessprofound and deep. . . I cannot imagine any theologian or churchperson who would not find the reading of this book a beneficialenterprise. It is a must for all who care about the health oftheology, the Church and - even more broadly - the world of whichthey are a part." (Theology, 1 November 2011)

"This book represents a mature summary of his academic andinstitutional vision." (Church Times, 23 September 2011)

"Ford writes exegesis that does more than illustrate; it leads .. . It's really, really good . . . Few theologians writing todayare better positioned to see where theology needs to stay the sameand where it needs to change for a new century." (The ChristianCentury, 18 April 2011)

"The Future of Christian Theology by Prof David Ford ofCambridge (Wiley-Blackwell, £50) is another feast of goodthings: a book to widen horizons and deepen spirituality . . .So,two splendid books to feed minds and hearts." (Methodist Recorder,21 July 2011)

"In the meantime, Ford's timely, stylish and passionatemanifesto gives theologians plenty of work to be getting on with."(The Tablet, 23 April 2011)

"This is, quite simply, a wonderful book. It's vintage David Ford,yet all new - providing an ever deeper integration of themes whichis profoundly creative and invites the reader to engage and makefresh connections. David Ford more successfully than any othertheologian I know, bridges the concerns of the academy and those ofthe worshipping communities."
--Iain Torrance, President of Princeton TheologicalSeminary

"David Ford's The Future of Christian Theology is a manifestofor a theology adequate to its new context in the twenty-firstcentury. It's a bold, powerful and provocative vision."
--David H. Kelsey, Weigle Professor Emeritus ofTheology, Yale Divinity School

"This is, quite simply, a wonderful book. It's vintage David Ford, yet all new - providing an ever deeper integration of themes which is profoundly creative and invites the reader to engage and make fresh connections. David Ford more successfully than any other theologian I know, bridges the concerns of the academy and those of the worshipping communities." -- Iain Torrance, President of Princeton Theological Seminary