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Canonical Theology, Social Location and the Search for Global Theological Method

  • Boubakar Sanou and John C. Peckham
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Scripture and Theology
This chapter is in the book Scripture and Theology

Abstract

This chapter sets forth a proposal outlining one way constructive theology might be approached in light of the rapid globalization of Christianity. Could there be such a thing as a global theological method? If so, what might it look like? How might global theological method be conceived (in broad strokes) so as to avoid (or at least mitigate) the danger of privileging and imposing particular philosophical, doctrinal, or other frameworks that are the fallible product of a given context or social location? To address these questions, the chapter first discusses the importance of social location and its impact on theological interpretation, construction, and reception. Then, the discussion turns to the question of the uniquely normative authority of Scripture relative to theological method by way of a brief discussion of some core commitments of canonical theological method, which revolve around the common commitment of most Christians to Scripture as the final standard of orthodoxy. Finally, the chapter discusses potential implications for approaching and doing constructive theology that upholds the uniquely normative authority of Scripture, could be affirmed and practiced by most Christians across the globe, and might assist in fostering a context for mutual theological dialogue without the imposition of one fallible context as the ground of such theological method.

Abstract

This chapter sets forth a proposal outlining one way constructive theology might be approached in light of the rapid globalization of Christianity. Could there be such a thing as a global theological method? If so, what might it look like? How might global theological method be conceived (in broad strokes) so as to avoid (or at least mitigate) the danger of privileging and imposing particular philosophical, doctrinal, or other frameworks that are the fallible product of a given context or social location? To address these questions, the chapter first discusses the importance of social location and its impact on theological interpretation, construction, and reception. Then, the discussion turns to the question of the uniquely normative authority of Scripture relative to theological method by way of a brief discussion of some core commitments of canonical theological method, which revolve around the common commitment of most Christians to Scripture as the final standard of orthodoxy. Finally, the chapter discusses potential implications for approaching and doing constructive theology that upholds the uniquely normative authority of Scripture, could be affirmed and practiced by most Christians across the globe, and might assist in fostering a context for mutual theological dialogue without the imposition of one fallible context as the ground of such theological method.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. Foreword VII
  4. Scripture and Theology in Context: An Introduction 1
  5. Part 1: Scripture and the Web of Meanings
  6. An Anthropological Analysis of Ezekiel 13:17–21 35
  7. Messiahs and Redeemer Figures in Postexilic Texts 57
  8. Early Divine Christology: Scripture, Narrativity and Confession in Luke-Acts 89
  9. Why is the New Testament Called “New Testament”? 119
  10. Disassembling Provenance: Origin Stories and Why They Matter for Scripture 149
  11. Part 2: The Bible at Work: Historical Case Studies
  12. Power Dynamics in the Preached Word: A Fourth Century Case Study 165
  13. Augustine without a Theodicy of a Condemning God 195
  14. Philosophy in Aquinas’ Exegetical Work and Its Meta-Theological Implications 235
  15. Hamann between Luther and Hume 261
  16. Let Everything that Hath Breath Praise the Lord 283
  17. The Divine Forwards: Karl Barth’s Early Exegesis of the Pauline Epistles 305
  18. Karl Rahner’s Use of the Bible 327
  19. Part 3: Informing Theological Discourse: Systematic Perspectives
  20. Canonical Theology, Social Location and the Search for Global Theological Method 345
  21. Quadriga without Platonism 375
  22. Reinventing the Quadriga 397
  23. The Theological Art of Scriptural Interpretation: Lessons from von Balthasar 415
  24. The Holy Scriptures as a Recognition- and Witnessing-Authority 433
  25. The Relationship of Scripture and Tradition in the Light of God’s Revelation 453
  26. Deriving Theology from Scripture 473
  27. List of Contributors 487
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110768411-014

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. Foreword VII
  4. Scripture and Theology in Context: An Introduction 1
  5. Part 1: Scripture and the Web of Meanings
  6. An Anthropological Analysis of Ezekiel 13:17–21 35
  7. Messiahs and Redeemer Figures in Postexilic Texts 57
  8. Early Divine Christology: Scripture, Narrativity and Confession in Luke-Acts 89
  9. Why is the New Testament Called “New Testament”? 119
  10. Disassembling Provenance: Origin Stories and Why They Matter for Scripture 149
  11. Part 2: The Bible at Work: Historical Case Studies
  12. Power Dynamics in the Preached Word: A Fourth Century Case Study 165
  13. Augustine without a Theodicy of a Condemning God 195
  14. Philosophy in Aquinas’ Exegetical Work and Its Meta-Theological Implications 235
  15. Hamann between Luther and Hume 261
  16. Let Everything that Hath Breath Praise the Lord 283
  17. The Divine Forwards: Karl Barth’s Early Exegesis of the Pauline Epistles 305
  18. Karl Rahner’s Use of the Bible 327
  19. Part 3: Informing Theological Discourse: Systematic Perspectives
  20. Canonical Theology, Social Location and the Search for Global Theological Method 345
  21. Quadriga without Platonism 375
  22. Reinventing the Quadriga 397
  23. The Theological Art of Scriptural Interpretation: Lessons from von Balthasar 415
  24. The Holy Scriptures as a Recognition- and Witnessing-Authority 433
  25. The Relationship of Scripture and Tradition in the Light of God’s Revelation 453
  26. Deriving Theology from Scripture 473
  27. List of Contributors 487
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