Canonical Theology: The Biblical Canon, Sola Scriptura, and Theological Method

by John Peckham, Craig G. Bartholomew (Foreword by)

Overview

What are the roles of canon and community in the understanding and articulation of Christian doctrine? Should the church be the doctrinal arbiter in the twenty-first century? In Canonical Theology John Peckham tackles this complex, ongoing discussion by shedding light on issues surrounding the biblical canon and the role of the community for theology and practice.

Peckham examines the nature of the biblical canon, the proper relationship of Scripture and tradition, and the interpretation and application of Scripture for theology. He lays out a compelling canonical approach to systematic theology — including an explanation of his method, a step-by-step account of how to practice it, and an example of what theology derived from this canonical approach looks like.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467446198
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	11/27/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	309
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

John C. Peckham is associate professor of theology and Christian philosophy at the Theological Seminary of Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan. He is also the author of The Love of God: A Canonical Model.
 
Craig G. Bartholomew is H. Evan Runner Professor ofPhilosophy and professor of religion and theology atRedeemer University College, Ancaster, Ontario, andprincipal of the Paideia Centre for Public Theology. His otherbooks include Old Testament Wisdom Literature: ATheological Introduction and Where MortalsDwell: A Christian View of Place for Today.,

Table of Contents

Foreword Craig G. Bartholomew ix

Acknowledgments xii

1 Canon vs. Community? 1

2 Defining the Intrinsic Canon 16

3 Intrinsic Canonicity and the Inadequacy of the Community Approach 48

4 Communitarian Approaches to Theology 73

5 The Rule of Faith 109

6 Sola Scriptura: reductio ad absurdum? 140

7 Sola Scriptura and the Theology of the Trinity: A Case Study 166

8 The Canonical Approach to Systematic Theology: Revisiting the Analogy of Scripture 196

9 Canonical Hermeneutics and Theopathic Language 218

10 What Might a Canonical Theology Look Like? The Nature of Divine Love 246

Bibliography 260

Modern Author Index 281

Subject Index 285

Scripture Index 290

Editorial Reviews

Kevin J. Vanhoozer
--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
"Canonical Theology by John Peckham makes three timely and important contributions: first, it gives a robust account of what Peckham calls 'canonical sola Scriptura'; second, it sets forth a clarifying analysis of the difference between the concepts 'intrinsic' and 'communitarian' as applied to the canon, including a number of compelling arguments as to why the former is superior; third, it provides a platform on which exegetes, biblical theologians, and systematic theologians can meet, hopefully to fellowship and work toward an integrative theological method. In sum, Peckham has written what is perhaps the best account to date of what 'canonical theology' ought to mean and why it matters."

Craig G. Bartholomew
--from the foreword
"Peckham takes hold of one of the most pressing issues facing the church today, and does so clearly, with a refreshing and astonishingly wide range of engagement, pushing toward the conclusion that Scripture is intrinsically authoritative as the Word of God."

From the Publisher