Synopses & Reviews
Do people know about God just by being human beings? Or do they need special divine assistance, through the Bible and the church? Natural theology is the idea that human beings "by nature," that is just through being human, know something of God; or that they gain such knowledge from observing the world we live in. Its opposite is revealed theology, or the knowledge of God communicated only through special channels--through Jesus Christ, through the Bible, through the church. Natural theology was long accepted as a basic ingredient in all theology, but in the twentieth century it was rejected by important theologians, especially Karl Barth. His views denied all natural theology and placed greater emphasis on the Bible. But what if the Bible itself uses, depends on, and supports natural theology? In this book, Barr pursues these questions within the Bible itself and within the history of ideas, and he looks at their implications for religion and theology in the future.
Review
"This is an important book for guiding much Protestant theology back from a strange byway it took under the pressure of Karl Barth. Barr's treatment once again locates faith and theology in the natural openness of the human spirit to God, making us radically able to receive as pure gift the self-revelation of God in his word to the ancient people of the covenant, and in his Son Jesus Christ."--Theological Studies
"As usual, a very thought-provoking book, vintage Barr."--Old Testament Abstracts
"This is a book from which much can be gained and on many levels. Not only is it written with an admirable clarity of thought and style, it is also rich and rewarding, shedding a great deal of light on many subjects along the way of exploring its main theme....The dialogue with Karl Barth throughout the book provides a thoughtful and valuable commentary on contemporary theology and its methods....[An] excellent book."--Theology
"Those concerned with biblical theology will find matters re-assessed and fresh balances struck, chiefly in relation to Old Testament examples, with Barr's usual authority and clarity."--Contact
"The Gifford Lectures for 1991 make a splendid book, with bibliographies and indexes included. As usual, Barr makes complex problems appear in a different, and usually clearer, light, yet without undue simplification."--Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
Synopsis
Do people know about God just by being human beings? Or do they need special divine assistance, through the Bible and the church? Natural theology was long accepted as a basic ingredient in all theology, but in the twentieth century it was rejected by important theologians, especially Karl Barth. His views denied all natural theology and placed greater emphasis on the Bible. But what if the Bible itself uses, depends on, and supports natural theology? Professor Barr here pursues these questions within the Bible itself and within the history of ideas, earlier and more recent; and he looks at their implications for religion and theology in the future.
Table of Contents
1. Natural theology in this century: Concepts and approaches
2. Paul on the Areopagus
3. St Paul and the Hebrew background
4. Natural theology in the Jewish tradition
5. Within the Old Testament
6. A return to the modern discussion
7. Religion, tradition, and natural theology
8. The image of God and natural theology
9. Science, language
10. Scripture
11. Natural theology and the future of biblical theology