Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
A powerful new theology of relationship, based on Emil Brunner's seminal work.
With the theme of relationship receiving renewed attention in a variety of areas, theological expressions of the subject are also being brought back into the spotlight. Although the concept of a personal relationship with God is a common Christian expression, it is often poorly defined. Here, Michael Berra draws on the Swiss theologian Emil Brunner to redefine and rehabilitate the analogy of relationship.
Basing his study primarily on Brunner's seminal work Truth as Encounter, Berra proposes that relationship ought to be the central motif for the whole of theology. He investigates the theme in light of modern relationship science, arguing that God-human interaction categorically meets the definition of a relationship, and that it is existentially intended to be intimate. Scholars and church leaders will find in Berra's approach a refreshing voice in this dynamic field.
With the theme of relationship receiving renewed attention in a variety of areas, theological expressions of the subject are also being brought back into the spotlight. Although the concept of a personal relationship with God is a common Christian expression, it is often poorly defined. Here, Michael Berra draws on the Swiss theologian Emil Brunner to redefine and rehabilitate the analogy of relationship.
Basing his study primarily on Brunner's seminal work Truth as Encounter, Berra proposes that relationship ought to be the central motif for the whole of theology. He investigates the theme in light of modern relationship science, arguing that God-human interaction categorically meets the definition of a relationship, and that it is existentially intended to be intimate. Scholars and church leaders will find in Berra's approach a refreshing voice in this dynamic field.
Price: $36.95
Pages: 268
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: James Clarke
Publication Date:
25 January 2024
Trim Size: 5.98 X 8.98 in
ISBN: 9780227179895
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
RELIGION / Christian Theology / General, Christianity, Theology
Discursive theology needs a philosophy that translates the biblical witness convincingly and boldly. How do we understand God and the world? Twentieth-century systematic theology responds with a relational ontology. From this, Michael Berra goes further and deeper. Drawing on Emil Brunner's groundbreaking 'theology of relationship,' he points to ways of reconstructing our habits of thought. It is worthwhile to follow him there.
— Ralph Kunz, University of Zürich
Christian theology, at its best, is a dynamic endeavor that attends to a rich heritage and responds to the contemporary context. This volume contributes well to that task. With precision and confidence, Berra juxtaposes Christian doctrine and relationship science to argue for a singular theme around which all of theology should turn: relationship. Readers will benefit from his careful analysis of Brunner's work and its enduring relevance for Christian thinking and living today.
— Cynthia Bennett Brown, author of Believing Thinking, Bounded Theology: The Theological Methodology of Emil Brunner
The great Emil Brunner is mentioned today often only in discussion as an anecdote or side tangent. Yet his theology of relationship is powerful, complex, and more relevant today than ever. Michael Berra reintroduces Brunner and the category of relationship as theology's leitmotif, while critically assessing relationality in light of contemporary research. Using analogical reasoning, Berra provides a theological framework of relational depth and breadth. This book was a joy to read!'
— Thomas Jay Oord, author of Pluriform Love
The great Emil Brunner is mentioned today often only in discussion as an anecdote or side tangent. Yet his theology of relationship is powerful, complex, and more relevant today than ever. Michael Berra reintroduces Brunner and the category of relationship as theology's leitmotif, while critically assessing relationality in light of contemporary research. Using analogical reasoning, Berra provides a theological framework of relational depth and breadth. This book was a joy to read!
— Thomas Jay Oord, author of Pluriform Love
Christian theology, at its best, is a dynamic endeavor that attends to a rich heritage and responds to the contemporary context. This volume contributes well to that task. With precision and confidence, Berra juxtaposes Christian doctrine and relationship science to argue for a singular theme around which all of theology should turn: relationship. Readers will benefit from his careful analysis of Brunner's work and its enduring relevance for Christian thinking and living today.
— Cynthia Bennett Brown, author of Believing Thinking, Bounded Theology: The Theological Methodology of Emil Brunner
— Ralph Kunz, University of Zürich
Christian theology, at its best, is a dynamic endeavor that attends to a rich heritage and responds to the contemporary context. This volume contributes well to that task. With precision and confidence, Berra juxtaposes Christian doctrine and relationship science to argue for a singular theme around which all of theology should turn: relationship. Readers will benefit from his careful analysis of Brunner's work and its enduring relevance for Christian thinking and living today.
— Cynthia Bennett Brown, author of Believing Thinking, Bounded Theology: The Theological Methodology of Emil Brunner
The great Emil Brunner is mentioned today often only in discussion as an anecdote or side tangent. Yet his theology of relationship is powerful, complex, and more relevant today than ever. Michael Berra reintroduces Brunner and the category of relationship as theology's leitmotif, while critically assessing relationality in light of contemporary research. Using analogical reasoning, Berra provides a theological framework of relational depth and breadth. This book was a joy to read!'
— Thomas Jay Oord, author of Pluriform Love
The great Emil Brunner is mentioned today often only in discussion as an anecdote or side tangent. Yet his theology of relationship is powerful, complex, and more relevant today than ever. Michael Berra reintroduces Brunner and the category of relationship as theology's leitmotif, while critically assessing relationality in light of contemporary research. Using analogical reasoning, Berra provides a theological framework of relational depth and breadth. This book was a joy to read!
— Thomas Jay Oord, author of Pluriform Love
Christian theology, at its best, is a dynamic endeavor that attends to a rich heritage and responds to the contemporary context. This volume contributes well to that task. With precision and confidence, Berra juxtaposes Christian doctrine and relationship science to argue for a singular theme around which all of theology should turn: relationship. Readers will benefit from his careful analysis of Brunner's work and its enduring relevance for Christian thinking and living today.
— Cynthia Bennett Brown, author of Believing Thinking, Bounded Theology: The Theological Methodology of Emil Brunner
Introduction
a) Relationships Are Booming
b) Evangelical Shibboleth: A Personal Relationship with God
c) Emil Brunner: Unique among Relational Theologians
d) Motivation, Methodology and Structure: Building on Brunner in Light of Relationship Science
I: Truth as Encounter: Emil Brunner, the Relationship Theologian
1. Relationship: Emil Brunner's leitmotif
a. Existnetial: Relationship at Praxis
b. Epistemological: Relationship as Theological Leitmotif
2. Why Building on Emil Brunner?
a. Why Not Brunner?
b. Why Brunner?
II: Personal Correspondence: Emil Brunner's Leitmotif
3. Personal Correspondence: Preliminary Considerations
a. Brunner's Evolving Terminology
b. The Problem of Systematizing Personal Correspondence
c. The Question of Structuring Personal Correspondence
4. Personal Correspondence as Ontic Basis
a. Personal Correspondence as Primordial Relationship
b. Responsory Actuality as Actual Relation
c. Conclusions and Outlook
5. God-Towards-Human: The Call to Restoration of Personal Correspondence
a. The Mediator: Jesus Christ, the Incarnated Word
b. Immediated by the Holy Spirit, Mediated through the Church
6. Human-Towards-God: The Answer to Restoration of Personal Correspondence
a. The Turning from Faith as Believing Something
b. Happy Asymmetry: God First, Humans Second
c. The Importance of Reciprocity in Freedom
d. Faith as Self-Disclosure in Loving Responsiveness
III: The Analogy of Relationship: Personal Correspondence in Light of Relationship Science
7. Analogy of Relationship: Preliminary Considerations
a. What is a relationship?
b. Relationship Science as Point of Reference
c. A Working Theory of Analogy
8. Comparing Human and God-Human Relationships
a. A Personal Relationship with God?
b. A Close Relationship with God?
c. An Intimate Relationship with God?
d. Conclusion: The Analogy of Relationship
IV: Towards a Theology of Relationship
9. The Analogical Argument
a. The Categorical Argument
b. The Existential Argument
c. The Epistemological (Theological) Argument
d. The Argument towards a Theology of Relationship
e. Objections
10. Outlook: Ten Propositions Expanding Emil Brunner's Leitmotif of Relationship
a. Material: Towards a Systematic Theology of Relationship
b. Existential: Towards an Intimate Relationship with God
c. Formal: Towards a Communication of Relationship
Epilogue
Appendix: A Brief Introduction to the Major Frameworks of Relationship Science
Bibliography
a) Relationships Are Booming
b) Evangelical Shibboleth: A Personal Relationship with God
c) Emil Brunner: Unique among Relational Theologians
d) Motivation, Methodology and Structure: Building on Brunner in Light of Relationship Science
I: Truth as Encounter: Emil Brunner, the Relationship Theologian
1. Relationship: Emil Brunner's leitmotif
a. Existnetial: Relationship at Praxis
b. Epistemological: Relationship as Theological Leitmotif
2. Why Building on Emil Brunner?
a. Why Not Brunner?
b. Why Brunner?
II: Personal Correspondence: Emil Brunner's Leitmotif
3. Personal Correspondence: Preliminary Considerations
a. Brunner's Evolving Terminology
b. The Problem of Systematizing Personal Correspondence
c. The Question of Structuring Personal Correspondence
4. Personal Correspondence as Ontic Basis
a. Personal Correspondence as Primordial Relationship
b. Responsory Actuality as Actual Relation
c. Conclusions and Outlook
5. God-Towards-Human: The Call to Restoration of Personal Correspondence
a. The Mediator: Jesus Christ, the Incarnated Word
b. Immediated by the Holy Spirit, Mediated through the Church
6. Human-Towards-God: The Answer to Restoration of Personal Correspondence
a. The Turning from Faith as Believing Something
b. Happy Asymmetry: God First, Humans Second
c. The Importance of Reciprocity in Freedom
d. Faith as Self-Disclosure in Loving Responsiveness
III: The Analogy of Relationship: Personal Correspondence in Light of Relationship Science
7. Analogy of Relationship: Preliminary Considerations
a. What is a relationship?
b. Relationship Science as Point of Reference
c. A Working Theory of Analogy
8. Comparing Human and God-Human Relationships
a. A Personal Relationship with God?
b. A Close Relationship with God?
c. An Intimate Relationship with God?
d. Conclusion: The Analogy of Relationship
IV: Towards a Theology of Relationship
9. The Analogical Argument
a. The Categorical Argument
b. The Existential Argument
c. The Epistemological (Theological) Argument
d. The Argument towards a Theology of Relationship
e. Objections
10. Outlook: Ten Propositions Expanding Emil Brunner's Leitmotif of Relationship
a. Material: Towards a Systematic Theology of Relationship
b. Existential: Towards an Intimate Relationship with God
c. Formal: Towards a Communication of Relationship
Epilogue
Appendix: A Brief Introduction to the Major Frameworks of Relationship Science
Bibliography