The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to Christian theology in the twentieth century, Second Edition (The Great Theologians) [Paperback]

David F. Ford (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0631195920 | ISBN-13: 978-0631195924 | Edition: 2

This is a thoroughly revised and expanded edition of The Modern Theologians, and is now available in a single volume. It provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the main Christian theologies of the twentieth century, and is the ideal text for students at universities, colleges and seminaries. Each chapter is written by a leading theologian and gives a clear picture of a particular movement, topic or individual theologian.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reviews from the first edition:

"An excellent textbook overview of the theology of our time ... comprehensive, clearly written, fair and most informative." Journal of Religion

"A distinguished and outstanding work." Theology

From the Back Cover

This is a thoroughly revised and expanded edition of The Modern Theologians, first published in 1989, and is now available in a single volume. The Modern Theologians provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the main Christian theologies of the twentieth century, and is the ideal text for students at universities, colleges and seminaries.

Each chapter is written by a leading modern theologian and gives a clear picture of a particular movement, topic or individual theologian. It also furthers the critical debates in the field.

The new edition includes many new distinguished contributors and new chapters on French theology, black and Hispanic theology, African theology, biblical and hermeneutical theology, theologies of mission, postmodern theology, Judaism and Christian theology, theology and the natural sciences, theology and the social sciences, and theology and the arts. The new edition also includes expanded treatment of feminist and womanist theologies. The volume editor gives a full introduction to twentieth century theology and concludes with an appraisal of Christian theology at the turn of the millennium.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 772 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (January 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631195920
• ISBN-13: 978-0631195924
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,143,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The century just past..., April 23, 2004

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FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to Christian theology in the twentieth century, Second Edition (The Great Theologians) (Paperback)

Like its companion volume from Blackwell (`The Medieval Theologians'), this text, `The Modern Theologians', edited by David Ford, provides a wonderful in-depth and broad-ranging introduction to twentieth century theology. In fact, the modern period which Ford delineates is post-World War I to the present; in many ways, the first world war provided a defining turning point for much of intellectual history, and theology was no exception. Ford admits that the selection process might be somewhat controversial - in any history or survey, the amount of material excluded is always vast - but is largely based upon those theologians who both covered the broadest range of topics and/or are currently studied in earnest by scholars, theologians and others in universities, seminaries, and religious institutions.

This is a book on Christian theology, not a comparative religions text, but it does cover the main branches of Christianity, looking at modern theology based upon personality, geography, and theological approach. The first section examines the lives and work of some of the most significant theological voices to dominate the century, most of whom were European (no surprise, given the dominance of the European voices in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as well). These people include Roman Catholics and Protestants - Congar, de Lubac, Rahner, Balthasar, Schillebeeckx, and Kung on the Catholic side, Barth, Bonhoeffer, Jungel, Bultmann, tillich, Pannenberg and Moltmann on the Protestant side.

The second through fourth sections look at theologies based on geography - theology from Britain, theologies of North America (arguably one of the primary centres of theology as we enter the twenty-first century), and theologies from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, essential untapped domains with strong potential, perhaps poised to surpass the traditional Western lands as the realm of creative and strong theological endeavours. Among the topics here include the cross-disciplinary aspects of theology as undertaken in Britain (theology and history, theology and philosophy, theology and culture/society), different kinds of liberation theology (Black theology, Hispanic theology, Native American, Womanist, Feminist theologies, in addition to the original Latin American), as well as contextual theologies arising from so-termed third world nations, and the newly developing realm of postliberal and postmodern theology.

The final four sections look at key topics - Evangelical theology on the one hand and Orthodox theology on the other (the article on Orthodox theology was written by the now-Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams); connections between the Bible and theology, theology as it addresses relations with other religions in the world, and Judaism in particular; and the connection of theology to the natural sciences, social sciences, and the arts.

The contributors to this volume themselves constitute a significant collection of major modern voices in academic theology. In addition to the above-mentioned Williams are well-known scholars such as Graham Ward, Rebecca Chopp, Peter Ochs, Peter Sedgwick, Werner Jeanrond, Daniel Hardy, William Placher and Ann Loades.

Ford's own essay as the Epilogue provides and interesting forward look into the trends of theology presently coming into play. He addresses key questions of theological study - the relationship with God and truth, the placing of theology in the academy and/or churches as authentic, and the ultimate question, always worthwhile, of just who does theology?

Each essay is wonderfully annotated with notes and bibliography for further research, making this an ideal tool for students and scholars. There is a chart at the end of a list of dates for placing the major theologians of the twentieth century in proper order and context with other world events. The glossary is very useful for students of theology, and the index is very well done.

Blackwell has a strong reputation as a publisher of quality theological and other scholarly works, and this volume, the second edition of a text first published in the 1980s, has all the hallmarks of this deserved fame.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent overview ..., December 8, 1999

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forehandshanker (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to Christian theology in the twentieth century, Second Edition (The Great Theologians) (Paperback)

Of the often confusing world of 20th century theology. 20th century theology often feels like an orchestra that's warming up before a symphony. Complete and utter chaos! Not everyone is playing the same tune, nor are they coming from the same perspective. Pluralism is the order of the day. I consider this my hitchiker's guide.

It is a set of essays of professional journal quality, written experts on the respective topics they are writing on. There are sections on specific theologians (e.g Barth, Bultmann, Tillich, Moltmann, Pannenberg, Jungel, Kung, Balthasar, Rahner, etc.), specific topics (Judaism & Christian theology, evangelicalism, theology & science, hermeneutics, postliberalism, feminist theology, liberation theology, etc.). Basically, all the major people & movements you should ever know about.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential roadmap for 20th century theology, February 16, 2004

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Kerry Walters (Lewisburg, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to Christian theology in the twentieth century, Second Edition (The Great Theologians) (Paperback)

Theology aims to reveal something about God. Perhaps it succeeds, occasionally, in this enterprise. My guess, however, is that theology is more revelatory of humans (and so, indirectly, of God). The theological enterprise sheds light on the best and the worst in us. The best is a yearning, a striving, for that which is good and complete and life-giving. In doing theology, we make our intellects and hearts instruments in the service of that for which we yearn. Good theology is poetry. The worst, on the other hand, is a will-to-power, an arrogant urge to build a Babelesque Tower, invade heaven, and capture (with sophisticated words and theories) God. Movement from the best to the worst is always a theological temptation. Few theologians completely resist it.

This collection of essays about the major 20th century theologians nicely illustrates both the best and the worst. The essays for the most part are wonderfully written--they provide good surveys with a minimum of arcane theological vocabulary, and they nicely place the discussed figures in relation with their times and with one another. The scope of the essays is also welcome, ranging from the Barthian rejection of neo-Protestant liberalism at the beginning of the century to David Ford's forward-looking essay on theological directions in the new millennium. Liberation theologies, feminist theologies, evangelical theologies, as well as the alternately fruitful or antagonistic relationship between theology and world religions, the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the arts, are also examined. Throughout, I found myself amazed by the incredible insights of some theologians and horrified at the intellectualistic hubris of others. Maybe this is a healthy response to theology: excitement at its promise, occasional weariness with its pretensions.

For both the beginning student of theology as well as more seasoned ones looking for a convenient and reliable summae, this volume is the best I've discovered. Highly recommended (even though, as with all Blackwell books, it's horribly over-priced).