The Drama Of Doctrine: A Canonical-Linguistic Approach To Christian Theology (Paperback)

~ (Author) "A drama is a doing, an enactment..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

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: 488 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.com Sales Rank: #203,840 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Timothy J. Mills (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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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 in that continuing drama. Doctrine teaches us to improvise fittingly in the continuing Divine 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.

14 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Spencer Gear (Bundaberg, Q., Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Stop! Read Lindbeck!, October 21, 2008

By	J. Tyler Pearson (Johnson City, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Vanhoozer tries to appropriate George Lindbeck's cultural-linguistic approach for biblicists via what he calls a "canonical-linguistic" approach. Basically, he claims the Bible has a logic of usage and thus a system of habituating consistent meanings internal to itself, before it is socialized into ecclesial life. Historically this is highly problematic, given that the Bible's content and orthodox meaning were determined by the Church over several centuries (50AD-400ish, if not later). If you don't believe that last sentence then you will probably love Vanhoozer's book. If you're looking for something a bit more intellectually satisfying then you should probably skip Vanhoozer's qualifications of Lindbeck and go read Lindbeck's "The Nature of Doctrine" yourself. On the plus side, Vanhoozer displays more or less sophisticated dealings with many post-modern theorists that do not get dealt with by many of Vanhoozer's colleagues, and that should be applauded.