ABSTRACT

In the ancient conversation between Western philosophy and Christian theology, powerful contemporary voices are arguing for monologue rather than dialogue. Instead of these two disciplines learning from and mutually informing each other, both philosophers and theologians are increasingly disconnected from, and thus unable to hear, what the other is saying, especially in Anglo-American scholarship. Some Christian philosophers are now found claiming methodological authority over doctrine, while some Christian theologians even deny that philosophy has its own integrity as a separate discipline. Against these trends, David Brown has argued over the past thirty years that philosophy and theology are both necessary in order to grapple with the reality of divine mystery and Christian faith. Neither discipline can be reduced to the other, and each has its own contribution to make for a full understanding of what Brown describes as 'a single vision' of God. In this volume, Brown addresses some key topics in philosophical theology, including the created order, experience and revelation, incarnation and redemption, and heaven and our communal destiny. Combining analytic clarity, doctrinal substance, and historical depth, this volume exemplifies Brown's project of truly integrating philosophy and theology. It thus provides an ideal introduction to this vital conversation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as a connected argument of interest to specialists in both disciplines.

part |40 pages

The Created Order

part |38 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|11 pages

Why a World at All?

chapter 2|10 pages

Creation and its Alternatives

chapter 3|13 pages

The Problem of Pain

Why Philosophers and Theologians Need Each Other

part II|46 pages

Experience and Revelation

part |44 pages

Introduction

chapter 6|14 pages

From Past Meaning to Present Revelation

Evaluating Three Approaches

part III|66 pages

Incarnation, Trinity, and Redemption

part |64 pages

Introduction

chapter 9|17 pages

Anselm on Atonement

chapter 10|11 pages

Images of Atonement

Metaphor and the Dangers of Doctrine

part IV|38 pages

Heaven and our Communal Destiny

part |36 pages

Introduction