The Making of American Liberal Theology: Crisis, Irony, and Postmodernity: 1950-2005 [Paperback]

Gary Dorrien (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2006

In this concluding volume of his magisterial trilogy, Gary Dorrien sustains his previous definition of liberal theology and his mixture of theological, philosophical, and historical analysis, while emphasizing the unprecedented diversity of liberal theology in the postmodern age. Dorrien argues that liberal theology has been in crisis for the past half-century, yet despite the crisis, and also because of it, it has also experienced a “hidden renaissance” of intellectual creativity. Liberal theology in the early twenty-first century is more diverse, complex, and marginalized than ever before in its history, he concludes, but its essential idea—creating a progressive, credible, integrative third way between orthodox over-belief and secular unbelief—remains as necessary as ever.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gary Dorrien is Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, New York. He is the author of numerous books, including the first two volumes of The Making of American Liberal Theology and The Barthian Revolt in Modern Theology—all available from Westminster John Knox Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 688 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (November 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664223567
• ISBN-13: 978-0664223564
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #576,300 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MASTERFUL STUDY OF LIBERAL THEOLOGIY, July 4, 2007

By 

Clifford E. Stollings (uniontown, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Making of American Liberal Theology: Crisis, Irony, and Postmodernity: 1950-2005 (Paperback)

Gary Dorrien has written an extraordinary work of scholarship, more felicitiously written than one ordinarily expects of so much involved historical material. He gives full and detailed discussions of various schools of liberal theology: Personalism, the Chicago school, the Vanderbilt theologians, Romans Catholic, feminist, and a wide range of many individual theologians. The work is made even more interesting by pertinent biographical information, giving personal location to their work. The evaluations include diligent research into reviews and reactions by colleagues and their responses. The work is also enlivened by reports of many persoanl conversations and responses.
The book seemed to be even-handed in its approach to different points of view. I could not sense Dorrien's personal stance, except that he was in the liberal camp as post-neoorthodox. I felt he did give a very generous amount of space to tracing the fortunes of the Chicago school. I was also impressed with the positive treatment he gave to Nels Ferre, of whom little has been heard in recent years. Dorrien's mastery of massive, difficult material makes one hope he will one day give us his own systematic take on matters theological.
As an M.Div. of Union Seminary, N.Y., in 1949, I have lived through the period covered by the book, and am impressed by its coverage. A few impressions: (1) the courageous endeavor of liberal theology to deal with the world of our time; (2) its extreme pluralistic character; (3) its orientation to the academy, rather than the church; (4) as a pastoral minister for 51 years, it gives me some idea of why the church has had such a struggle, and why it has been so stressful to try to be a "believer" in this period.

(The Rev.) C. Eugene Stollings

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Liberal Theology Reconsidered, May 22, 2010

By 

C. Burton "C. Emory Burton" (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Making of American Liberal Theology: Crisis, Irony, and Postmodernity: 1950-2005 (Paperback)

Gary Dorrien is a highly informed writer on American theological history. His is a needed correction to the widespread view that religious history is a history of reactionary thought and ultra-conservative views. Such ideas are present in the history of American Christianity, to be sure, but Dorrien selects those whose ideas were more creative and progressive.

Much of American thelogy in the 1950s and after had a "neo-orthodox" cast to it, meaning it took a somewhat pessimistic view of human nature, emphasized human sin and called for a return to more orthodox beliefs, though in a sophistocated framework. Dorrien deals with this movement, but shows how many of its spokesmen, such as Reinhold Niebuhr, were actually liberals at heart. The stress is on a modern, intellectual, contemporary theology that is compatible with science and the thinking of some of our best minds.

Not everyone will agree with the thought of this book, but its analysis is very well done and deserves careful reading.

4 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dorrien is the best, January 23, 2007

By 

Dale A. Sorenson "Theolog" (L.A.CA.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Making of American Liberal Theology: Crisis, Irony, and Postmodernity: 1950-2005 (Paperback)

I have yet to read this volume, but have read 3 previous works, all top notch. His incredible erudition is matched by his fluid writing, making him a joy to read.