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The Craft of Theology: From Symbol to System

The Craft of Theology: From Symbol to System
By Avery Dulles

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Avery Dulles's theological career has spanned one of the most creative and confusing periods in the history of the church. With the goal of integrating new information from philosophy and the sciences into a deeper understanding of the world and society, the many theological schools pursued independent agendas, with the net effect of a loss of coherence. It is Fr. Dulles's contention that theological schools have drifted so far apart that what seems false and dangerous to one school seems almost self-evident to another. Theologians lack a common language, common goals, and common norms.

Exploring the possibilities for greater consensus, The Craft of Theology illustrates how a "post-critical" theology can draw on the riches of Scripture and tradition as it reflects on the faith of the church in new contexts. Fr. Dulles discusses the freedom of theology within the university and sets forth principles for a fresh dialogue with philosophy, the sciences, and other Christian churches.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #505718 in Books
  • Published on: 1995-03-01
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 280 pages

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Dulles maintains that there is a lack of "a common language, common goals, and common norms" in contemporary theology, and "that the neo-scholasticism of the recent past is no longer adequate for the present day" because it "does not do justice to the personalist, symbolic, and mystical dimensions of faith." Dulles explores the sources of theology, scripture, tradition, and the church teaching authority, and discusses theological dissent and the relationships among theology. Throughout, Dulles seeks greater theological consensus stemming from a wider theological community. Seminary and large academic libraries will want this work by a major contemporary theologian.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Collection of Essays3
This book is a collection of essays written by Cardinal Dulles. On of the chapters I enjoyed best was about the strengths and weaknesses of Scholastic theology. Having been educated in this type of doing theology, Dulles acknowledges ten good things about it (pp. 42-43). He then compares the methodology of Scholasticism (controversial, argumentative, apologetical, deductive and inductive) with the methodology of present day theology (open to dialogue, inductive, hermeneutical, empirical, interested not only in the content of the faith, but in its dynamics and socio-political applications). In the book the reader will also learn about ten approaches to Scriptures; Hans Kung's christological presuppositions; and the transformative power of beliefs.

The Craft of Theology4
This book is required reading for a course in Orientation to Theology at St. Bernard's School of Ministry and Theology I am enrolled in. The book is easily read and very informative.

The Craft of Theology4
The Craft of Theology speaks to the theological method followed in order to arrive at a standard for ordering our daily lives. How do we interpret and know God's will for our lives? In a challenging and informative manner, Dulles reviews the elements on which we build our theological foundations. Although written by and for Roman Catholics, every Protestant theologian and pastor will also be challenged to discern whether the foundations on which we are building are solid enough to withstand the attacks against our faith. I highly recommend this book.