Theology and Social Theory: Beyond Secular Reason (Signposts in Theology) - Softcover

Milbank, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0631189483 ISBN 13: 9780631189480

Publisher: Wiley–Blackwell, 1993

Synopsis

A comprehensive critique of modern social theory from a Christian point of view. Shows how an engagement with postmodern thought opens the way to a theology that offers a more specifically Christian account of history and society.

About this title

Review:

"Milbank′s work is a tour de force of systematic theology. It would be churlish not to acknowledge its provocation and brilliance." Times Higher Education Supplement

"The thesis is relatively simple, its orchestration is stunning in scope as well as in harmonies." Modern Theology

"John Milbank′s sprawling, ambitious and intellectually demanding book is in a class of its own." Studies in Christian Ethics

"John Milbank has written a masterful review of the development of modern social thought that at the same time offers a criticism of its dominant paradigms and suggests inherent limits on its accomplishments." Journal of Religion

"It is of a remarkable intensity and intellectual scope, it is a book of the highest importance for the ongoing debate between Christianity and modernity." Reinhard Hutter, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

From the Back Cover:

In recent years, theology has tried to legitimate itself by absorbing the method and conclusions of the social sciences. However, theologians are too little aware of the theological and anti–theological assumptions built into these disciplines themselves.

In retracing the genesis of scientific discourses about society, John Milbank′s highly acclaimed book (now available in paperback) brings these assumptions to light, and shows how their hidden presence compromises claims to scientific status. On this basis it calls into question the whole enterprise of sociology of religion, and argues that contemporary political theology has overrated Marxism and sociology in neglecting the importance of specifically Christian traditions of social thought. At the same time as developing a specific and controversial argument, the book provides the only existing comprehensive treatment of the relation between theology and social theory, all the way from Plato to Deleuze.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley–Blackwell
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0631189483
• ISBN 13: 9780631189480
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 456