This groundbreaking work lays the foundation for a theology based on a cultural-linguistic approach to religion and a regulative or rule theory of doctrine. Although shaped intimately by theological concerns, this approach is consonant with the most advanced anthropological, sociological, and philosophical thought of our times.

Examines the Roman Catholic roots of postliberal theology via conversations with three seminal postliberal theologians: George Lindbeck, David Burrell, and Stanley Hauerwas.

George Lindbeck wrote one of the most often read and debated theological works of the twentieth century, The Nature of Doctrine. Despite the work's wide readership, few read the book considering his work as an ecumenist. In addition, few have read Lindbeck's other writings. This work seeks to remedy this situation by providing (1) a context for understanding The Nature of Doctrine, (2) a corrective to misreadings of Lindbeck's work, (3) an introduction to his broader corpus, and (4) some possible ways in which Lindbeck's work can contribute to future ecumenical discussion and to Christian theological practice more broadly. It will do so by focusing upon several key roles or aspects of Lindbeck's life and thought, from his understanding of his own Lutheran background and his participation in Lutheran-Catholic dialogue, to his training in medieval philosophy and theology and later work on the church as Israel.

What should we believe, and why should we believe it? This book addresses these questions through a critical exposition of the work of the contemporary philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre and of the theologian George Lindbeck, the father of postliberal theology. The book argues that MacIntyre's philosophical development can be seen as a response to the question of how belief in a comprehensive metaphysical system can be justified. Such a system provides its believers with an account of the nature of the universe and human nature, and a basis for their ethical reasoning and action. The book draws on Lindbeck's cultural-linguistic account of religion to argue that such a system is primarily a way of interpreting the world and the place of humanity within it, rather than a speculative theory. The justification of belief in such systems can be understood in terms of MacIntyre's account of tradition-constituted rationality, provided that this notion of rationality is made more specific by the incorporation of elements of Lindbeck's theology. Equally, the book argues that Lindbeck's theology can be strengthened by the incorporation of elements drawn from MacIntyre's work. This book will be of value to students of philosophy and theology and to the general reader who is interested in the question of the grounds of belief.

Voted one of Christianity Today's 1997 Books of the Year! Ours is an age of profound cultural change, in which new categories and alliances are bound to arise. In theology, the liberal strategy has lost support, having degenerated into mere anthropology and succumbed to the political agendas of its proponents. And while the evangelical movement appears to be gaining ground, it is simultaneously suffering an acute identity crisis.Currently the postliberal (or "Yale school") movement has found a strong resonance in some mainline denominational circles. Its emphasis on the biblical text and Jesus Christ--through which all other reality needs to be construed--may turn out to be the most significant theological realignment in more than a century.Are we witnessing a paradigm shift? Can evangelicals and postliberals make common confession? Might they even combine forces to reinvigorate the church--its theology and its mission--for a new era? In this groundbreaking book, creative evangelical and postliberal thinkers explore exactly how they agree and disagree along a range of issues, from epistemology and theological method to doctrinal concerns.Evangelical contributors include such significant theologians as Alister McGrath and Gabriel Fackre. Postliberal contributors include George Lindbeck, a "founding father" of postliberalism, and George Hunsinger, the former student and major interpreter of the late Hans Frei, another "founder" of postliberalism.In The Nature of Confession we are presented with the beginnings of a robust discussion of real importance to both the academy and the church.

The Nature of Doctrine, originally published in 1984, is one of the most influential works of academic theology in the past fifty years. A true classic, this book sets forth the central tenets of a post-liberal approach to theology, emphasizing a cultural-linguistic approach to religion and a rule theory of doctrine. In addition to his account of the nature of religion, George Lindbeck also addresses the relationship between Christianity and other religions, the resolution of historic doctrinal conflict among Christian communities, and the nature and task of theology itself. This is a work that all theologians and advanced students should know. This twenty-fifth anniversary edition includes an English translation of the foreword to the German edition and a complete bibliography of Lindbeck's work.

The much-discussed notion of Postliberal theology developed from the writings of two theologians at Yale University, Hans Frei and George Lindbeck. An analysis and critique of the much-discussed idea of postliberal theology Provides an overview of postliberalism and the controversies which resulted Compares the writings of theologians Hans Frei and George Lindbeck, from which postliberal theology developed, and uncovers important differences in their thought Reconceptualizes these thinkers’ contributions to contemporary theological discussion Published in the prestigious Challenges in Contemporary Theology series.

Postliberal theology is a movement in contemporary theologythat rejects both the Enlightenment appeal to a ‘universal rationality' and theliberal assumption of an immediate religious experience common to all humanity.The movement initially began in the 1980's with its association to YaleDivinity School. Theologians such as Hans Frei, Paul Holmer, David Kelsey, andGeorge Lindbeck were influential and were significantly influenced bytheologians such as Karl Barth, Clifford Geertz, and Ludwig Wittgenstein.Postliberalism uses a narrative approach totheology, such as developed by Hans Frei, and argues that all thought andexperience is historically and socially mediated.Michener provides the reader with an accessible introductoryoverview of the origins, current thought, potential problems, and futurepossibilities of postliberal theology.

Alister E. McGrath begins his book by critically engaging the views of George Lindbeck on doctrine before moving on to present a fresh understanding of the nature and function of Christian doctrine within the church. Particular attention is paid to the way in which doctrine acts as a demarcator between communities of faith, providing important insights into contemporary ecumenical debates. McGrath also explores the crucial issue of the authority of the past in Christian theology, focusing especially on how doctrine serves to maintain continuity within the Christian tradition. The Genesis of Doctrine represents an exploration of a "middle way" in relation to the significance of Christian doctrine, rejecting both those approaches that insist on the uncritical repetition of the doctrinal heritage of the past and those that disallow the authority of past doctrinal formulations. The book concludes by considering whether doctrine has a future within the church, answering this question in the affirmative on the basis of a number of important theological and cultural considerations. Product Description: Explores the crucial issue of the authority of the past in Christian theology, focusing especially on how doctrine serves to maintain continuity within the Christian tradition.

Are postmodern philosophy and Christian theology compatible? A surprising number of Christian philosophers and theologians think so. However, these same thinkers argue that postmodern insights entail the rejection of natural theology, the ability to discover knowledge about the existence and nature of God in the natural world. Postmodernism, they claim, shows that appealing to nature to demonstrate or infer the existence of God is foolish because these appeals rely on modernity’s outmoded grounds for knowledge. Moreover, natural theology and apologetics are often hindrances to authentic Christian faith. Notions like objectivity and rationality are forms of idolatry from which Christians should repent. This book carefully examines the nature of truth, rationality, general revelation, and evangelism to show that the postmodern objections fail and that Christians ought to lovingly and faithfully use natural theology and apologetics to defend and commend the Christian faith to a world in need of the knowledge of God.