1st Edition
Revelation and Story Narrative Theology and the Centrality of Story
Revelation and Story explores the relationship between the theology of revelation and the theology of story or narrative theology. Mediating between German systematic theology's concern for revelation and current Anglo-Saxon interest in narrative theology and centrality of 'story', this book illuminates both traditions. Exploring 'revelation' and 'story' from both theological and philosophical perspectives, this book connects these concepts with questions of the authority of religious and literary texts, particularly the Bible. Believing that God's revelation precedes and forestalls all human perception of God, all speech about God, and every attempt to experience anything about God or know Him, leading scholars from both Anglo-Saxon and German traditions are brought together to present a diverse range of conceptions relating to how God's revelation occurs, resulting in a new theory of the relation of revelation and story which transcends the traditional cultural divide. Stanley Hauerwas contributes the Foreword. Revelation and Story offers a valuable new contribution to systematic theology, hermeneutics, and the study of the authority of Scripture, as well as presenting insights into important overlaps between British and German theology. This book will be of particular interest to scholars and students of philosophy and theology, and to students of literature and literary theory with an interest in hermeneutics.
Biography
Gerhard Sauter, John Barton
’These authors have tried to think afresh, and think independently. They grapple with the question of how to take scripture seriously in an age when we cannot take it for granted. They do a good job.’ Timothy Gorringe, Church Times 'Like a metaphor, these essays are surprising, deconstructive, creative, and altogether transformative of the ways the connection between theology and philosophy is conceptualized... it is clear that these essays present a creative theological and philosophical dialogue.' Reviews in Religion and Theology '... this collection of nine papers is a thought provoking discussion of a variety of theological and hermeneutical concerns about revelation.' Themelios '... the collective scholarship (of this volume) is at the forefront of biblical and theological research... an exciting if challenging read... what it has to yield is deep and rich - as with revelation itself, both manifest and hidden... What a delight it all is! This book must be read and reread!' International Journal of Systematic Theology
