Rethinking Christian Identity

Produktdetails

Verlag

John Wiley & Sons

Erschienen

2012

Sprache

English

Seiten

280

Infos

280 Seiten

ISBN

978-1-118-25564-3

Hauptbeschreibung

RETHINKING CHRISTIAN IDENTITY

"A brilliant, compelling, agenda-setting book ... Volpe has written this thoughtful, passionate, informed critique that invites us all to think through precisely what is involved in being formed in the Christian tradition."

Ian Markham, Virginia Theological Seminary

"A model for those of us who seek to combine the vocations of academic theology and pastoral ministry, Rethinking Christian Identity offers a compelling vision of Christian formation. Volpe deftly shapes her vision in conversation with contemporary theologians and voices from the history of the Church ... combining erudition with a passion for Christian discipleship."

Kathryn Greene-McCreight, St. John's Episcopal Church

Recent decades have seen major shifts in our understanding of Christian identity. This timely book explores contemporary theological theory in asking what makes a Christian in the twenty-first century: what unites and sets Christians apart from other social or political groups, and how is this identity forged and then passed on to others?

Volpe engages with these changing ideas through the work of Kathryn Tanner, Rowan Williams, and John Milbank, whose accounts of Christianity challenge older views. Drawing these theologians into conversation with Gregory of Nyssa, she clearly and persuasively discusses the importance of doctrine in identity formation, the unexplored ideas of the significance of sin on Christian identity and its effects, and the need for an inclusive account of Christian identity. As Christianity declines in parts of the Western world, and yet expands in others, the nature of Christian identity is more crucial and vexed than ever before. This important book makes a valuable contribution to these ongoing debates.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Giving Thanks viii

List of Abbreviations xi

Introduction: Rethinking Christian Identity 1

1 Between the Postliberal and the Postmodern: "True Discipleship" as Cultural Style 12

2 Stories of Identity: Rowan Williams on Being a Christian 52

3 "It is no longer I who live": Receiving the Identity of Christ 105

4 The Body's Reason: Gregory and Macrina on the Soul 145

5 The Nature of Doctrine Revisited: Gregory of Nyssa on the Formation of Christian Imagination 183

6 Doctrine, Discipleship, and Christian Identity 222

Bibliography 242

Index 254

Besprechung

"This is an insightful work of theology, one that clearly
demonstrates the ways in which classical Christian teachings can
renew Christian practice." (Religious Studies
Review, 1 December 2013)

"This is a substantial work that explores a considerable
gap in the literature of discipleship, conversing as it does with
three of the most significant contemporary theologians (unlike much
literature on discipleship which ignores theology altogether. . .
Academic libraries will want this book, and those interested in a
way of integrating systematics and practical theology, but whether
they can afford to do so is another matter (25 pence per page seems
rather expensive to me, even if this hardback binding is as robust
as any.) It has caused me to return to Milbank and Williams, and to
explore Tanner afresh, but more significantly, to read Gregory. For
that alone I am grateful to Volpe." (Regent's
Reviews, 1 October 2013)

"Kierkegaard reminded us that one can only claim to be a
Christian in the 'banal sense of registry; at best, we are
ever becoming one' on a journey of formation central to that
becoming, as every parent knows. Acutely aware that
'identity' will never capture the result, this parent
mines Christian reflection contemporary and ancient (Gregory of
Nyssa) to delineate the steps in that process, helping us identify
our mis-steps as well."--David Burrell, Notre
Dame

"This is a brilliant, compelling, agenda-setting book. As
a growing consensus of theologians recognize the post-liberal,
postmodern reality that discipleship is a training in a tradition,
Volpe has written this thoughtful, passionate, informed critique
that invites us all to think through precisely what is involved in
being formed in the Christian tradition. This is the hard
work of Christian identity. This book sets a stage for
theologians, Christian educators, and practical theologians, which
will transform their disciplines and create significant work for at
least the next generation."--Ian Markham, Virginia
Theological Seminary

"A model for those of us who seek to combine the vocations
of academic theology and pastoral ministry, Rethinking Christian
Identity offers a compelling vision of Christian
formation. The author focuses our attention on the center of
Christian identity: being and making disciples. Volpe deftly
shapes her vision in conversation with contemporary theologians
(Williams, Tanner, and Milbank) and voices from the history of the
Church (particularly Gregory of Nyssa). Volpe helpfully
dismantles the unfortunate barrier between the tasks of academic
theology and soul-care, combining erudition with a passion for
Christian discipleship. A fresh voice for those who seek to
serve God with both mind and heart, this book reminds us of the
goal of our life before God: the continuous process of being formed
in the image of Christ."--Kathryn
Greene-McCreight, St John's Episcopal Church

Über den AutorIn

Medi Ann Volpe is Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at Cranmer Hall, Durham University. She has published in Modern Theology, amongst other journals, and is co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of Catholic Theology (forthcoming, with L. Ayres).