The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical Linguistic Approach to Christian Doctrine [Paperback]

Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 2005

Observing a strange disappearance of doctrine within the church, Kevin Vanhoozer argues that there is no more urgent task for Christians today than to engage in living truthfully with others before God. He details how doctrine serves the church--the theater of the gospel--by directing individuals and congregations to participate in the drama of what God is doing to renew all things in Jesus Christ. Taking his cue from George Lindbeck and others who locate the criteria of Christian identity in Spirit-led church practices, Vanhoozer relocates the norm for Christian doctrine in the canonical practices, which, he argues, both provoke and preserve the integrity of the church's witness as prophetic and apostolic.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Vigorously argued, immersed both in Scripture and in the literatures of theology and philosophical hermeneutics, overflowing with provocative ideas, this is a book which both draws upon and furthers the contemporary renaissance of Christian doctrine. For anyone wanting to discover lively and generously orthodox Christian theology, this will be an excellent place to begin." --John Webster, Professor of Systematic Theology at King's College, University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Among his many books are 'Holy Scripture: A Dogmatic Sketch' and 'Holiness.'"

From the Back Cover

"Kevin Vanhoozer is emerging as one of the most significant younger theological voices of our generation. This book will consolidate that reputation still further. It is a magisterial treatment of the origins and nature of doctrine, worthy to be ranked alongside George Lindbeck’s classic The Nature of Doctrine. It is essential reading for all concerned with the nature and future of doctrine." —Alister McGrath, Professor of Historical Theology, Oxford University, Director, Oxford Centre for Evangelism and Apologetics

"A powerful methodological rethinking of Scripture, doctrine, and Christian practice in dramatic and performative terms. Vanhoozer helpfully reworks a cultural-linguistic model so as to give greater authority to the Bible and make clear the fallibility of the church." —Kathryn Tanner, Professor of Theology, University of Chicago Divinity School

"Vigorously argued, immersed both in Scripture and in the literatures of theology and philosophical hermeneutics, overflowing with provocative ideas, this is a book that draws upon and furthers the contemporary renaissance of Christian doctrine. For anyone wanting to discover lively and generously orthodox Christian theology, this will be an excellent place to begin." —John Webster, Professor of Systematic Theology at King’s College, University of Aberdeen, Scotland

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Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (August 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664223273
• ISBN-13: 978-0664223274
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Ph.D., Cambridge University) is currently Blanchard Professor of Theology at the Wheaton College Graduate School. Previously he was Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (1998-2009) and Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (1990-98).

He is the author or editor of sixteen books, including The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical-Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology (Westminster John Knox, 2005 - named best theology book of 2006 by Christianity Today) and Remythologizing Theology: Divine Action, Passion, and Authorship (Cambridge University Press, 2010).

He serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Systematic Theology and Pro Ecclesia and is the North American Consultant for the forthcoming edition of the New Dictionary of Theology. In 1999 he appeared on the cover of Christianity Today as one of the six "new theologians" featured in the lead story. He was the 2003 Westmont College Alumnus of the Year. He is married and has two daughters (and seventeen doctoral students). He is an amateur classical pianist and serious reader, and finds that music and literature help him integrate academic theology and spiritual formation.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I've Read This Year!, February 11, 2007

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Timothy J. Mills (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical Linguistic Approach to Christian Doctrine (Paperback)

Kevin Vanhoozer's Drama of Doctrine is a sweeping reconceptualization of Christian doctrine using the metaphor of drama. In an age when many pastors and theologians believe doctrine to be irrelevant or even divisive and dangerous; Vanhoozer's project cuts like a laser to reveal the importance, purpose, and practicality of biblical doctrine for the 21st century church. According to Vanhoozer, doctrine expounds to the church the Divine drama of the canonical scriptures in a way that allows the church to act within that continuing drama. Doctrine teaches us to improvise fittingly in God's continuing drama. As Vanhoozer puts it, "Canonical-linguistic theology attends both to the drama in the text--what God is doing in the world through Christ--and to the drama that continues in the church as God uses Scripture to address, edify, and confront its readers" (17). While this book is long, it is worthy of a wide reading by pastors, theologians, and churchmen and women around the world.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How shall we live?, March 14, 2008

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Kevin T. Wood - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical Linguistic Approach to Christian Doctrine (Paperback)

This is an excellent work which seeks to set out the method for Vanhoozer's theology. It is orthodox yet aims at new ways of thinking of old ideas. Vanhoozer attempts to deal with the major problems that evangelicals face in this age; that is, trying to fit modern problems into the Christian Canon (i.e. Wayne Grudem; though Grudem can be appreciated as well), and on the other end, accepting postmodern notions of textual interpretation. To put it simply, Vanhoozer deals with how the Church is to go about living wisely all under the guise of a drama which we are ultimately part of without accepting more dangerous alternatives to traditional doctrine. I am convinced that this volume will be an immense help to those who struggle with rigid doctrine (Vanhoozer is very orthodox), modern epistemology (this is canonical-linguistic theology), postmodern hermeneutics (Vanhoozer deals with the major players very well), or all of the above (I think evangelicals struggle with all). His writing is articulated well and is yet enjoyable to read. I highly recommend this weighty yet worthy volume.

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stuffy doctrine must go!, September 14, 2006

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Spencer Gear (Bundaberg, Q., Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical Linguistic Approach to Christian Doctrine (Paperback)

This book should jolt both liberals & evangelicals. Vanhoozer favourably quotes sociologist of religion, Jack Wolfe, who nails down what the church is facing: "Evangelical churches lack doctrine because they want to attract new members. Mainline churches lack doctrine because they want to hold on to those declining numbers of members they have" (cited on p. xii). The great strength of this book is the call to marry the teaching of biblical doctrine with living it personally and in church life. If his treatment is followed, it should deal with the disease that teaches doctrine in a "dry as dust" form.
Some may find it difficult to adjust to the redefinition of theological categories: "This book sets forth new metaphors for theology (dramaturgy), Scripture (the script), theological understanding (performance), the church (the company), and the pastor (director)" (p. xii).
I'd recommend this book to thoughtful pastors and laity who may have forgotten their responsibility to teach sound/healthy doctrine (I Tim. 4:6; 6:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1). I hope the book's length (488pp) does not deter them.