A Shared Search: Doing Theology in Conversation with One's Friends - Softcover

A masterclass in dialogical theology.

Theology is usually better done as a dialogue than a monologue, and there is most to learn from friends with whom we do not quite agree. So suggests Maurice Wiles, and he illustrates his point by bringing together in this volume articles written over the years for Festschrifts for friends and colleagues. The papers are classified under four headings. First come the three familiar sources of Anglican theology: scripture, tradition and reason, covering topics ranging from orthodoxy and heresy and the patristic debate about Logos through Newton and the Bible to worship and theology and on being a theologian in today's church. The papers under the fourth heading, 'theology', seek to clarify the issues in questions which are particularly important for our day: 'Can theology still be about God?', 'In what contexts does it make sense to say "God acts in history"?', 'Can we still do christology?'. With conversation partners including Peter Baelz, James Barr, George Caird, Henry Chadwick, Christopher Evans, William Frend, John Hick and Basil Mitchell, the discussion is lively, and readers will enjoy eavesdropping on a fascinating seminar. Maurice Wiles has also written an extended introduction.