By the Renewing of Your Minds: The Pastoral Function of Christian Doctrine
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Book Overview
This book develops the thesis that classical Christian theology seeks to help believers flourish by knowing and loving God. Ellen Charry argues this premise by example, offering a close reading of a number of classical texts, from the New Testament era to the Reformation, including works of Paul, Augustine, Athanasius, Basil of Caesarea, Anselm, and Calvin. She points out the pastoral and moral aims that shape the teachings of these theologians on a wide range of topics, including the Trinity; human beings as created in the image of God; the incorporation of Jews and Gentiles into the body of Christ in baptism; the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ; and the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Charry explains that the very logic of their arguments is shaped by the author's concern for the goodness and happiness that should result from living into the doctrines. She further shows that although the spiritual and pastoral purposes of these writings are many and complex, they are invariably concerned to foster what modern people can, without difficulty, recognize as human dignity--what she calls "excellence"--in action, affection, and self-appraisal.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0195134869
ISBN13:9780195134865
Release Date:September 1999
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Length:280 Pages
Weight:0.95 lbs.
Dimensions:0.7" x 6.4" x 9.3"
Customer Reviews
3 ratings
A post-modern look at pre-modern theologians
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
Readers of this volume will be taken on a crash course ride through some of the major names of pre-modern theology. By putting these foundational theologians back into the pre-modern context in which they wrote, Charry succeeds in giving both the Pastor and the layperson the space to reclaim the aretological power of these works. However, I feel that the real center of gravity of Charry's work is the theoretical and theological framework that she sets up for this exploration. By engaging in an essentially post-modern critique of the limitations of the thinking of modernity while not claiming the (problematic) label of "post-modernity," Charry gives the readers the tools s/he needs to reclaim the aretological power of not just these texts, but other pre-modern texts and in fact the Faith itself. Not intended to be a works of apologetics, this framework can serve as a strong apologetic critique the twin fundamentalisms of the religious right and the insurgent "new atheism." Strongly recommended to all theologians, laypeople, and pastors interested in freeing themselves from tyranny of modernity that is found in its rigid dualism.
A Much-Needed and Useful Book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
As someone who has sat through many lectures and read many articles that have showcased fussy and pedantic theology, I find Dr. Charry's book to be a breath of fresh air. She is reclaiming theology from the academic elite and bringing it back to the Church and its people. Unlike some theological works by contemporary professors, Dr. Charry's book serves to bring people closer to the Triune God. She carefully guides the reader through the writings of the Apostle Paul and some of the major patristic theologians, as well as some Medieval and even one Reformed theologian.My one criticism of this otherwise fine book is that, to me, it seemed too heavily weighted towards Medieval theologians at the expense of the theologians of the Reformation traditions. Surely some reflection upon Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards and Karl Barth could draw the reader closer to God, as well.
Definitely Renewed
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Dr. Ellen Charry understands the writings of early patristic fathers and mothers to be more than just apolgetics. Dr. Charry gets to the core of their writings by discovering that the authors are calling for excellence (aretology) in each and every Christian. This book brings clarity and flavor to the classical Theologians of early Christian history.
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