Shaping Theology

This is an innovative book about the shape theology takes in its varied interactions – religious and secular, local and global, historical and contemporary, academic and practical. An innovative book about the shape of theology in reaction to its relationship with the Church, with theologians, with other religions, and with the university Written by David Ford, recognized internationally as one of the most creative of contemporary theologians Considers how theology shapes other areas of life via its conversations in the public sphere and with non-faith communities Views theology as both a way of thinking and a way of living, and considers how this lived character cannot be entirely grasped through reason alone The first volume to bring together a complete and well-rounded account of theology’s interaction with all its conversation partners.

Permissions. Acknowledgements. Prologue. Part I: The Wisdom of Theology. 1. Theology. 2. A Long Rumour of Wisdom. Redescribing Theology. Part II: Wisdom among the Religions. 3. Faith and Change: A Christian Understanding. 4. Reading Scripture with Intensity: Academic, Ecclesial, Interfaith, and Divine. 5. Developing Scriptural Reasoning Further: Reflections on Scripture, Reason and the Contemporary Islam--West Encounter. Part III: Wisdom in the University. 6. Knowledge, Meaning and the World's Great Challenges: Reinventing Cambridge University in the Twenty-first Century. 7. Faith and Universities in a Religious and Secular World. Part IV: Theological Interpretation of the Bible. 8. Divine Initiative, Human Response, and Wisdom: Interpreting 1 Corinthians Chapters 1--3. 9. Barth’s Interpretation of the Bible. Part IV: Thinking Further -- Theological Topics. 10. The God of Blessing Who Loves in Wisdom. 11. Tragedy and Atonement. 12. Apophasis and the Shoah: Where was Jesus Christ at Auschwitz?. Conclusion: Twelve Theses for Christian Theology in the Twenty-first Century. Index