God Interrupts History: Theology in a Time of Upheaval [Paperback]

Lieven Boeve (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0826428134 | ISBN-13: 978-0826428134 | Publication Date: May 25, 2007

The role of Christian faith in contemporary culture has changed dramatically. Both detraditionalization (the interruption of the handing on of faith from one generation to the next) and pluralization (Christianity is no longer the dominant player on the religious field) have caused a rupture between faith and its social context. Because of this, modern correlationist theologies, which presume a fundamental continuity between faith and its context, no longer succeed in explaining the relation between Christian faith and contemporary society. But theologies of discontinuity eventually fail as well, because they risk forgetting the intrinsic link between faith and history, society and culture. Christianity today demands a theology beyond theories of continuity and discontinuity. This book develops a theology of interruption. Boeve emphasizes the specificity of the Christian narrative about God, humanity, and their history together, and argues that this specificity urges Christians to be engaged in their context. Because God interrupts history. After an analysis of the contextual changes, the author sketches the fundamental aspects of a theology of interruption. This forms the basis for his further analysis of religious experience, rituals and sacraments, negative theology, religious plurality and incarnation, and apocalypticism.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Forget those frightened, sectarian, or empty 'negative' theological reactions to the 'postmodern condition.' Instead, read Boeve's provocative theology of interruption—an authentically Christian, truly contemporary guide to 'faith seeking understanding.' His exciting, confident arguments demonstrate how the God of Jesus Christ can continue to be confessed in the midst of our fragmented and pluralized culture."
Anthony Godzieba, Villanova University

(Anthony Godzieba )

'Although this book is shaped mainly by discussions in modern Dutch-language theology, I think Boeve's methodological proposal is of much broader significance. The central argument is crisp and decisive, and Boeve's thought is often fresh and energetic... I'm very glad to have discovered this book. It presents a vigorous argument and provides valuable stimulus for contemporary work in theological method.'

Ben Myers, Faith and Theology

(Ben Myers, Faith and Theology )

"Boeve's work deserves serious consideration. Addressing religious pluralism and adhering to the truth of Christian dogma is seldom done well. Boeve is an exception."
-D. Stephen Long, Modern Theology, April 2010

"Forget those frightened, sectarian, or empty 'negative' theological reactions to the 'postmodern condition.' Instead, read Boeve's provocative theology of interruption—an authentically Christian, truly contemporary guide to 'faith seeking understanding.' His exciting, confident arguments demonstrate how the God of Jesus Christ can continue to be confessed in the midst of our fragmented and pluralized culture."
Anthony Godzieba, Villanova University

(, )

'Although this book is shaped mainly by discussions in modern Dutch-language theology, I think Boeve’s methodological proposal is of much broader significance. The central argument is crisp and decisive, and Boeve’s thought is often fresh and energetic… I’m very glad to have discovered this book. It presents a vigorous argument and provides valuable stimulus for contemporary work in theological method.'

Ben Myers, Faith and Theology

(, )

About the Author

Lieven Boeve is professor of fundamental theology at the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium), where he currently also serves as Dean of the Faculty and as the co-ordinator of the Research Group Theology in a Postmodern Context. His research concerns theological epistemology, philosophical theology, truth in faith and theology, tradition development and hermeneutics. He is the author of Interrupting Tradition. An Essay on Christian Faith in a Postmodern Context (2003) and God Interrupts History. Theology in a Time of Upheaval (2007). He has co-edited various volumes, of which the most recent are: Augustine and Postmodern Thought: A New Alliance against Modernity? (2009) and Orthodoxy: Process and Product (2009). From 2005 till 2009 he served as president of the European Society for Catholic Theology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (May 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826428134
• ISBN-13: 978-0826428134
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,441,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)