1st Edition

John Macquarrie’s Natural Theology The Grace of Being

By Georgina Morley Copyright 2004
    212 Pages
    by Routledge

    212 Pages
    by Routledge

    Title first published in 2003. John Macquarrie has been a major contributor in the theological world for more than forty years, but as yet very little secondary material on his work has appeared. This book offers an insightful introduction to Macquarrie's theology, arguing that at its heart is a systematic theology of gift. Tracing the development of his thought from its early existentialism to the social and world-affirming perspectives of later writings, this book shows how these developments emerge in dialogue with contemporary thinkers. Morley demonstrates how Macquarrie's theology mediates between two traditionally opposing theologies of gift and being, centring on the doctrines of God and of human being, and reaching its fullest expression in Christology, with Christ as the focal point of two personal movements of self-giving - divine and human. Macquarrie himself contributes a Foreword.

    Contents: Introduction; Heidegger on being human; Beyond existentialism; Into the public realm; New-style natural theology; The grace of being; A christology of self-giving; Concluding remarks; Bibliography; Index.
    'John Macquarrie is one of the twentieth century’s major theologians. This book does an excellent job of showing the development of his thought and elucidating the distinctive themes of his theology. It deserves to be widely read.' Regius Professor Keith Ward, Christ Church, Oxford University, UK 'An excellent and compelling account of John Macquarrie`s theology. I know of no other work which so well expounds the coherence of this theological work, while also adding judicious observations of its own. I very warmly commend this work as a reliable exposition of a major British theologian, which will be of value to theological students and to many others, and as a serious contribution to modern theology'. Emeritus Professor and Canon Theologian Anthony Thiselton, University of Nottingham, UK 'Here is a careful chronological account of the development of Macquarrie's theology, interwoven with commentary on his sources, and on those who influenced him along the way.' Church Times '... this is an exposition both illuminating and exciting, deserving to succeed in its final aim of reawakening interest in Macquarrie's theology.' Theology 'This book offers an assessment of one of the leading British and Anglican theologians of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. In a series of crisply argued and well written chapters, Morley explores how Macquarrie's theology is organized in terms of a relationship between three meanings or dimensions of grace... It is a remarkable fact that relatively little secondary literature on Macquarries' theology has appeared to date. Morley's insightful study goes some way to rectifying this deficiency.' Theological Book Review 'This brief synopsis hardly does justice to the wealth of examination and interpretation, conducted with great acumen, that makes Morley's book a truly excellent account of Macquarrie's work. I have no hesitation in recommending it...' Modern Believing 'Georgina Morley has given us a very helpful key t