Beyond Evangelicalism: The Theological Methodology of Stanley J. Grenz (Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies)

A prolific author and thinker, Stanley J. Grenz was a respected and influential figure, not only within evangelicalism but in the wider theological world. Amongst the many issues tackled by him it is perhaps his revisioning of evangelical theology in the light of the postmodern challenge that has caused the biggest stir in the theological world. Advocating a nonfoundationalist methodology, Grenz attempts to re-position evangelical theology in line with postmodern concerns. This work examines the main traits of postmodern thought that would seem to directly challenge how evangelical theology is traditionally done. An examination of the seminal influences on Grenz will be traced in order to understand more fully the position he takes. A rigorous critique and assessment of his theological methodology will follow with the conclusion that his work goes beyond evangelicalism. This will be the first book length treatment on Grenz's work on theological methodology and therefore will break new ground in this important area of study. "My generation has not always admitted how much of a debt we owe to the work of Stanley Grenz, but I have to say that his Revisioning Evangelical Theology was pivotal in my own formation. His work was tragically cut short, and perhaps just now we are in a position to begin to assess his corpus and contributions. In this book, Steven Knowles has done just that, with a charitable but critical eye, making his own contribution to constructive evangelical theology in a postmodern context. James K. A. Smith, Calvin College, USA, author of Who's Afraid of Postmodernism?" "This book offers a coherent and lively argument that convincingly squares the circle between evangelical theology and the challenges posed by the diversity and plurality of postmodern thought and culture. Its critical-realist approach to Grenz's thought, allied to a well-selected use of other key thinkers such as Austin, Lindbeck and MacIntyre, begins to map a philosophical and methodological approach to Christian theology in the 21st century that will speak powerfully to both evangelical and post-evangelical audiences. Chris Baker, William Temple Foundation, Manchester, UK" "Postmodernism continues to present challenges and opportunities to Christian theology in roughly equal measure. This penetrating study helps to disentangle the promise from the peril, and offers some constructive proposals for the way ahead. An insightful treatment meriting careful attention from all those interested in issues of truth and reality as they arise in theology and elsewhere. Trevor Hart, Professor of Divinity, University of St Andrews, UK." "A prolific author and thinker, Stanley J. Grenz was a respected and influential figure, not only within evangelicalism but in the wider theological world Amongst the many issues tackled by him it is perhaps his revisioning of evangelical theology in the light of the postmodern challenge that has caused the biggest stir in the theological world. Advocating a nonfoundationalist methodology, Grenz ttempts to re-position evangelical theology in line with postmodern concerns." "This work examines the main traits of postmodern thought that would seem to directly challenge how evangelical theology is traditionally done. An examination of the seminal influences on Grenz will be traced in order to understand more fully the position he takes. A rigorous critique and assessment of his theological methodology will follow with the conclusion that his work goes beyond evangelicalism. This will be the first book length treatment on Grenz's work on theological methodology and therefore will break new ground in this important area of study."--BOOK JACKET

"My generation has not always admitted how much of a debt we owe to the work of Stanley Grenz, but I have to say that his Revisioning Evangelical Theology was pivotal in my own formation. His work was tragically cut short, and perhaps just now we are in a position to begin to assess his corpus and contributions. In this book, Steven Knowles has done just that, with a charitable but critical eye, making his own contribution to constructive evangelical theology in a postmodern context. James K. A. Smith, Calvin College, USA, author of Who's Afraid of Postmodernism?" "This book offers a coherent and lively argument that convincingly squares the circle between evangelical theology and the challenges posed by the diversity and plurality of postmodern thought and culture. Its critical-realist approach to Grenz's thought, allied to a well-selected use of other key thinkers such as Austin, Lindbeck and MacIntyre, begins to map a philosophical and methodological approach to Christian theology in the 21st century that will speak powerfully to both evangelical and post-evangelical audiences. Chris Baker, William Temple Foundation, Manchester, UK" "Postmodernism continues to present challenges and opportunities to Christian theology in roughly equal measure. This penetrating study helps to disentangle the promise from the peril, and offers some constructive proposals for the way ahead. An insightful treatment meriting careful attention from all those interested in issues of truth and reality as they arise in theology and elsewhere. Trevor Hart, Professor of Divinity, University of St Andrews, UK." "A prolific author and thinker, Stanley J. Grenz was a respected and influential figure, not only within evangelicalism but in the wider theological world Amongst the many issues tackled by him it is perhaps his revisioning of evangelical theology in the light of the postmodern challenge that has caused the biggest stir in the theological world. Advocating a nonfoundationalist methodology, Grenz ttempts to re-position evangelical theology in line with postmodern concerns." This work examines the main traits of postmodern thought that would seem to directly challenge how evangelical theology is traditionally done. An examination of the seminal influences on Grenz will be traced in order to understand more fully the position he takes. A rigorous critique and assessment of his theological methodology will follow with the conclusion that his work goes beyond evangelicalism. This will be the first book length treatment on Grenz's work on theological methodology and therefore will break new ground in this important area of study.

Introduction -- Postmodernism -- Key postmodern traits -- The demise of the metanarrative -- Deconstruction -- The de-centered self -- Ludwig Wittgenstein's linguistic turn in philosophy -- Wittgenstein's early thought -- Wittgenstein's later thought -- Language games -- Wittgenstein's builders -- Forms of life -- Wittgenstein and theology -- George Lindbeck's cultural-linguistic approach to theology -- Cognitive-propositionalist model -- Expressive-experiental model -- Cultural-linguistic model -- The theological methodology of Stanley J. Grenz -- Introduction: Grenz's engagement with the postmodern turn -- Beyond foundationalism -- The quest for an alternative epistemology -- Alister E. McGrath's critical realist approach to theology -- The quest for an alternative epistemology (cont.) -- Theology's sources -- Scripture -- The role of tradition -- The importance of culture -- Theology's focal motifs -- Theology's structural motif : the Trinity -- Theology's intergrative motif : community -- Theology's orienting motif : eschatology -- An evangelical theological methodology for postmodern times -- Nonfoundationalism to critical realism -- Grenz, Evangelicals, and Scripture -- Grenz and the communitarian turn -- The appropriation of a soft Wittgensteinianism Introduction Postmodernism Key postmodern traits Ludwig Wittgenstein's linguistic turn in philosophy Wittgenstein's early thought Wittgenstein's later thought Language games Wittgenstein's builders Forms of life Wittgenstein and theology George Lindbeck's cultural-linguistic approach to theology The cognitive-propositionalist model The expressive-experiental model The cultural-linguistic model The theological methodology of Stanley J. Grenz Introduction: Grenz's engagement with the postmodern turn Beyond foundationalism The quest for an alternative epistemology Alister E. McGrath's critical realist approach to theology The quest for an alternative epistemology (cont.) Theology's sources Scripture The role of tradition Theology and culture Theology's focal motifs Theology's structural motif : the Trinity Theology's intergrative motif : community Theology's orienting motif : eschatology Toward an evangelical theological methodology for postmodern times Nonfoundationalism to critical realism Grenz, Evangelicals, and Scripture Grenz and the communitarian turn The appropriation of a soft Wittgensteinianism.