Method in Theology - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0816422044 ISBN 13: 9780816422043

Synopsis

Method in Theology stands with Insight as Bernard Lonergan's most important work. It is Lonergan's answer to those who would argue that in this time of cultural change and dissolution, the believer is afloat on a sea of multiplying theologies, without rudder or compass. Lonergan was resolute in his refusal to be defeatist on this point. While agreeing that theology must continually change to mediate between religion and culture, he worked out an integral method to guide and control this ongoing process. Method in Theology is the fruit of this labour. This critical edition has benefited from extensive research into Lonergan's typescripts and from consulting the recordings from several institutes where he lectured over the course of the work's development. Lonergan's intention was to provide a set of methods that would guide a collaborative community in the ongoing construction of a theology that would move from recovery of the data through resolution of conflicts to contemporary formulations and applications. With this work, the cognitional theory of Insight: A Study of Human Understanding underwent a surprising set of developments in the form of what he calls functional specialization.

About this title

Review

'A book that is having vast influence ... The implications ... are quite sweeping and radical.' - The Christian Century

'Surpasses expectations ... A reflection on the operations theologians perform as they do theology ... A pathbreaker in an area which will prove more and more crucial as theology advances ... will have to receive the most serious critical attention of anyone who in the future wishes to come to grips in a serious fashion with the problem of method in theology.' - Bernard J. Tyrell - Homiletic & Pastoral Review

'An excellent introduction to Lonergan's own thought and a masterful plea for and proposed model of systematic collaboration in theology and religious studies ... Method in Theology is one of the most substantive proposals for theology and religious studies in the last ten years.' - David Tracy - Journal of the American Academy of Religion

'Outstanding ... it presents an original and internally consistent theory, systematically constructed according to a fully articulated philosophy of human knowing.' - Avery Dulles - Theological Studies

'Surpasses expectations ... A reflection on the operations theologians perform as they do theology ... A pathbreaker in an area which will prove more and more crucial as theology advances ... will have to receive the most serious critical attention of anyone who in the future wishes to come to grips in a serious fashion with the problem of method in theology.'

- Bernard J. Tyrell - Homiletic & Pastoral Review

'An excellent introduction to Lonergan's own thought and a masterful plea for and proposed model of systematic collaboration in theology and religious studies ... Method in Theology is one of the most substantive proposals for theology and religious studies in the last ten years.'

- David Tracy - Journal of the American Academy of Religion

'A book that is having vast influence ... The implications ... are quite sweeping and radical.'

- The Christian Century

'Outstanding ... it presents an original and internally consistent theory, systematically constructed according to a fully articulated philosophy of human knowing.'

- Avery Dulles - Theological Studies

From the Back Cover

A theology mediates between a cultural matrix and the significance and role of a religion in that matrix. The classicist notion of culture was normative: at least de jure there was but one culture that was both universal and permanent; to its norms and ideals might aspire the uncultured, whether they were the young or the people or the natives or the barbarians. Besides the classicist, there also is the empirical notion of culture. It is the set of meanings and values that informs a way of life. It may remain unchanged for ages. It may be in process of slow development or rapid dissolution.When the classicist notion of culture prevails, theology is conceived as a permanent achievement, and then one discourses on its nature. When culture is conceived empirically, theology is known to be an ongoing process, and then one writes on its method.

Edition details

• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0816422044
• ISBN 13: 9780816422043
• Binding: Paperback