Theology and Culture (Cascade Companions) [Paperback]

D. Stephen Long (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cascade Companions | Publication Date: December 31, 2007

Starting from a series of questions about the nature of our speaking to God, the author draws our attention to what we mean by culture, and how we use this very complex term both in our everyday language and especially in the language of faith. Culture is an exceedingly complex term that nearly everyone uses, but no one is sure what it means. This work examines various uses of the term culture in theology today.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Modernity, Steve Long tells us with his patented acerbity, is a broken record that never stops repeating its supposed novelty. If broken records require sharp, swift smacks to be knocked out of their tiresome grooves, Long's palm-sized book delivers a salutary slap that gets us back on track - and out of confused modern conceptualities that pit theology against culture. An excellent, masterly introduction to its topic." Rodney Clapp, author of A Peculiar People and Border Crossings "This work, as the title suggests, offers a bird's eye view of the state of play between theology and culture. It provides a valuable summary of the contribution of Richard Niebuhr to the subject, but also suggests there is a need to revise Niebuhr's classifications in the wake of the rising influence of the theology of Henri de Lubac common to both the Radical Orthodoxy and Communio Catholic scholars. From de Lubac's perspective, Christ transforms cultures, rather than standing aloof outside them. The dynamics of this transformation is now a pressing theological concern which flows over confessional boundaries." Tracey Rowland, author of Culture and the Thomist Tradition: After Vatican II "For its remarkable brevity and ease of reading, Stephen Long's recent guide to theology and culture provides an excellent overview to the host of issues surrounding such a rich and often controversial topic - Long's guide will remain an important starting point for anyone interested in understanding well the complex relationship between theology and culture." Taylor Worley, Theological Book Review "Long succeeds in demonstrating the primary nature of this question [theology's relation to culture] and its importance as a foundational discussion for theology...this would make a most thought-provoking book for an advanced college student, or for an undergraduate seeking an effective and speedy introduction to the debate." Brutus Green, Theology "Long introduces readers to the discussions about the relationship between culture and theology that have been going on since the late 19th century. His goal is not to argue a position or propose a resolution, but to allow people to understand and perhaps take part." Book News Inc, February 2011 "For its remarkable brevity and ease of reading, Stephen Long's recent guide to theology and culture provides an excellent overview to the host of issues surrounding such a rich and often controversial topic - Long's guide will remain an important starting point for anyone interested in understanding well the complex relationship between theology and culture." Taylor Worley, in Theological Book Review --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

D. Stephen Long is Professor of Systematic Theology at Marquette University. Among his recent publications are Tragedy, Tradition, Transformism (2007), The Goodness of God (2008). Forthcoming from James Clarke & Co in Autumn 2010 is his Sovereighnty of God Debate. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Cascade Books; First edition (December 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155635052X
• ISBN-13: 978-1556350528
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #424,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple, not simplistic, July 14, 2010

By 

Roderick T. Leupp "Theologian" (Bartlesville, OK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Theology and Culture (Cascade Companions) (Paperback)

Long crafts a short but worthy introduction to the complex interaction between theology and culture. The focus is more on the latter than the former, with more elaborate definitions/discussions offered regarding culture than theology. He also covers key figures such as Ernst Troeltsch, Paul Tillich, and H. Richard Niebuhr, but why not Robert Jenson, an American Lutheran theologian who is regarded as perhaps the preeminent U.S. theologian of his generation.

Long's grasp of relevant philosophical issues is strong enough to afford lucid presentations of obscure issues.

Adding "s" to his title word DISCUSSION would have been more accurate. Conversations between culture and theology are at least as old as the Acts of the Apostles and will be forevermore "dangling" and reiterative.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction, February 14, 2009

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B.A.2010 (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Theology and Culture (Cascade Companions) (Paperback)

This seemed a very understandable and concise introduction to the matter of theology and culture. If anything, it would err on the side of being too brief, but each section offers plenty of references to other major texts for further illumination. Highly recommended.