Constructing Constructive Theology: An Introductory Sketch

by Jason A. Wyman Jr.

To date, constructive theology hasn't been viewed or conceptualized as a movement or trend in theology on its own as a whole. Questions arise as to what constructive theology is, where it came from, why it considers itself "constructive," and why constructive is something different from the ways in which theology has been done in the past. This book traces the overall historical arc of constructive theology, from proto-movement through the present. Inklings of constructive theology emerged well before it began to take any formalized shape. At the same time, an important shift occurred when a group of theologians decided to create the Workgroup on Constructive Theology. Further, even as the workgroup continues to work collectively, producing textbooks, statements, and methodologies concerning theology, many theologians who are not part of the workgroup or may not even know it exists have adopted the moniker of "constructive theologian." The book also considers the term "constructive" itself, offering possible reasons and historical contexts that led to this distinction being made in contrast to "systematic" theology and its subcategories. Constructive theology speaks to a very specific, historically situated emergence in the academy generally and in theology's attempts to engage those shifts specifically.

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2017

Reviews

[Jeremy Garber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wyman provides an excellent definition and history of constructive theology – what it is and what it isn’t. Constructive theology differs from systematic theology in that it focuses on the traditional loci of theology but doesn’t insist on a total attention to every single potential problem. And it differs from doctrinal theology in that it honors a multiplicity of specific voices, but isn’t beholden to one single tradition or the search for the “essential truth” of every single concept. Wyman traces the beginning of constructive theology to the early 20th century, including a look at little-known McMaster University professor James Ten Broeke, through the formation of the Constructive Theology Workgroup with Gordon Kaufman, David Tracy, Sallie McFague, and many others. He also stresses constructive theology’s commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship and to social activism. As a budding constructive theologian myself, I appreciate Wyman’s readable but thoroughly researched history as well as his useful summary locating constructive theology’s commitments to creativity, justice, and reinventing Christianity for our time and place.

[Jonna Higgins-Freese · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a solid introduction, but it turns out that I really just don't care about constructive theology any more.