Biblical Faith and Natural Theology: The Gifford Lectures for 1991: Delivered in the University of Edinburgh

by James Barr

Do people know about God just by being human beings? Or do they need special divine assistance, through the Bible and the church? Natural theology was long accepted as a basic ingredient in all theology, but in the twentieth century it was rejected by important theologians, especially Karl Barth. His views denied all natural theology and placed greater emphasis on the Bible. But what if the Bible itself uses, depends on, and supports natural theology? Professor Barr here pursues these questions within the Bible itself and within the history of ideas, earlier and more recent; and he looks at their implications for religion and theology in the future.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

James Barr, FBA, was a Scottish Old Testament scholar. At the University of Oxford, he was the Oriel Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture from 1976 to 1978, and the Regius Professor of Hebrew from 1978 to 1989.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_B...

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Reviews

[David Haines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a James Barr, a professor of the Hebrew Bible, Biblical Faith and Natural Theology is the edited version of his Gifford Lectures. Taking on Karl Barth, who denied the possibility of Natural Theology, Barr demonstrates that Biblical Revelation not only condones Natural Theology, uses Natural Theology, but, in many cases, is based upon Natural Theology. This is a masterful book that must be read by anyone who wishes to enter into the discussion about Natural Theology.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed, but the good was good.