The Cambridge Companion to Postmodern Theology

Cambridge Companions to Religion

by Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Editor)

Theologians have responded in many different ways to the challenges posed by theories of postmodernity. Kevin J. Vanhoozer addresses the issue directly in an introductory survey of what "talk about God" might mean in a postmodern age. The book offers examples of different types of contemporary theology in relation to postmodernity, and examines the key Christian doctrines in postmodern perspective. Leading theologians contribute to this informative Companion.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Religion, Reference, Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity

312 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2003

About the author

Kevin J. Vanhoozer is currently Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. From 1990-98 he was Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at New College, University of Edinburgh. Vanhoozer received a BA from Westmont College, an M.Div from Westminster Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Cambridge University, England having studied under Nicholas Lash.

Reviews

[Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Die Beiträge von Vanhoozer und Grenz waren - ich hätte auch nichts anderes erwartet - sehr gut. (5 Sterne)

Die anderen Artikel hatten ein breites Spektrum: Von ganz gut bis langweilig / schlecht. Deshalb insgesamt nur drei Sterne.

[Etienne OMNES · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Cambridge companion to postmodern theology est un ouvrage collectif qui offre une introduction à la théologie post-moderne, c'est à dire la théologie telle qu'elle peut se faire au début du 21e siècle.

Le livre m'a été utile pour mieux comprendre ce qu'est la post-modernité et surtout ce que les "nouveaux pré-modernes" dans mon genre lui doivent. La critique portée contre le modernisme a changé le paysage intellectuel de notre époque de façon telle que les doctrines classiques du christianisme retrouvent enfin un environnement favorable, mais il se développe aussi d'autres écoles de théologie qui m'ont beaucoup moins convaincu, voire qui m'ont hérissé. A présent que je l'ai lu, je vois mieux à présent que "ce que l'homme a conçu en post-moderne, Dieu l'a conçu en Bien."

Les deux chapitres de Vanhoozer valent un 4/5: ils sont très informatifs, relativement facile à lire, et utiles. Les autres ne sont utiles que si vous êtes vous-même un fan de théologie postmoderne.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My experience with postmodern theology is deep but erratic. I knew a great deal about a very little. Deconstruction was highest on my list. Recently (this year) I dabbled in Radical Orthodoxy, and last year I read post-liberal works (I also read some Hauerwas this year, articles in the reader. You decide if that counts.) But that is it. The first part of this book was a great introduction to the multifaceted face of postmodern theology(ies). The second half was less impressive to me, and that may be because the format was simply not my preferred way of doing theology. To have a topical structure to theology seems to me a slightly modern tendency, but that is just me. It was great to read a former professor (Stiver) published in such a well researched and far reaching work.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pairs well with: To Know and Love God (it was a helpful cross-reference for me as I read)

It's hard to evaluate this book, since a lot of it went over my head. The essays in the first section mostly assumed familiarity with Derrida and Heidegger, neither of whom I've ever read. In the second section, I found the essays on theological method, the Trinity, the human person, and ecclesiology to be very uplifting - and of course Vanhoozer, who kicked off both sections, is wonderful.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays on postmodernism and theology. VanHoozer's and Webster's were really good. Loved Webster's use of Bonhoeffer.

[Joe Beery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back half is worth the price of admission.

[Mark Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well considered and arranged collection of articles that discuss a wide variety of manifestations of what we might call early postmodernism in theology. At times the focus remains on the popularized form of the expressions, but this is often that which we wrestle with day to day and on the streets, as it were. Those looking for something abstract and theoretical will be disappointed if they look here.

[Stephen]

This book contains a decent set of essays on postmodern theology. The essays that stood out for me were Vanhoozer's two essays (especially "Scripture and tradition"), D. Stephen Long's piece on Radical Orthodoxy, and John Webster's discussion on the "human person."

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited by the preface and first chapter of this book, but the second half seemed forced at times.