Enlightenment & Alienation: An Essay towards a Trinitarian Theology

by Colin Ewart Gunton

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2006

Overview

In this critique of the legacy of the Enlightenment and its effect on theology, Colin Gunton focuses on three core Christian concepts: truth, freedom, and faith. He argues that in these areas, the emphasis of Enlightenment thought on the observable and objective has prevented us from believing in what cannot be seen or scientifically deduced—alienating us from reality, from ourselves, and from God. However, as Gunton argues, the Trinitarian structure of Christian belief contains within itself the resources to overcome this alienation and achieve an integrated perspective. He explores how in the doctrine of the Trinity—especially in Jesus Christ, in whom the mysterious and divine joined the physical and observable—we can find a way to give validity both to scientific frames of thought and to religious belief.

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Key Features

• Analyzes the influence of the Enlightenment on our contemporary beliefs and theology
• Critiques the Enlightenment emphasis on knowledge
• Focuses on the doctrine of the Trinity and how it joins scientific thought and religious belief

Contents

• Foreword by Lesslie Newbigin
• Preface
• Introduction
• Part One: Seeing and Believing
  • The Way of Alienation
  • Dissenting Voices
  • Hints and Pointers
• Part Two: Thinking and Acting
  • The Demand for Autonomy
  • The Search for Authentic Humanity
  • The Gift of Freedom
• Part Three: Reading and Understanding
  • Biblical Studies and the Bible
  • Scripture and Scripture’s God
  • The Pupil and the Judge
• Conclusion
• Notes & Indexes

Product Details

• Title: Enlightenment & Alienation: An Essay towards a Trinitarian Theology
• Author: Colin E. Gunton
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2006
• Pages: 170
• Christian Group: Reformed
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Trinity

About Colin Ewart Gunton

Colin E. Gunton (1941–2003) was professor of systematic theology at King’s College in London from 1969 until his death. He was appointed professor of theology in 1984 and then served as head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies from 1993–1996. In 1992 Gunton delivered the Bampton Lectures at the University of Oxford and in 1993 he delivered the Warfield Lectures at Princeton Theological Seminary. Together with John Webster, Gunton co-founded the International Journal of Systematic Theology.

Gunton is often cited as one of the most important British theologians of his generation. Just before his death, he was awarded the earned D. D. by the University of Oxford, where he had taken his three previous degrees. Also just before his death, King’s College planned to make him a fellow of the college, its highest honor, which was then awarded posthumously.

He has authored several works, including The Doctrine of Creation: Essays in Dogmatics, History and Philosophy, The Actuality of Atonement, Christ and Creation, and the titles in the Colin E. Gunton Theology Collection.

Sample Pages from Enlightenment & Alienation: An Essay towards a Trinitarian Theology