Faith and Criticism: The Sarum Lectures 1992 / Edition 1

by Basil Mitchell

Overview

Faith and Criticism addresses a central problem in the church today—the tension between traditionalists and progressives. Traditionalists want above all to hold fast to traditional foundations in belief and ensure that nothing of value is lost, even at the risk of a clash with "modern knowledge." Progressives are concerned above all to proclaim a faith that is credible today, even at the risk of sacrificing some elements of traditional doctrine. They are often locked in uncomprehending conflict. Basil Mitchell argues that, not only in theology but in any other serious intellectual pursuit, faith and criticism are interdependent. A tradition which is not open to criticism will eventually ossify; and without faith in some established tradition criticism has nothing to fasten upon. This interdependence of faith and criticism has implications for society at large. Religious education can be Christian without ceasing to be critical, and a liberal society can espouse Christian values.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198267584
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/16/1995
Series:	Sarum Lectures, 1992
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	178
Product dimensions:	8.81(w) x 5.69(h) x 0.76(d)

About the Author

Oriel College, Oxford (Emeritus)

Editorial Reviews

"Professor Mitchell offers a lucid and persuasive account of today's theological landscape."—Church Times

"...a splendid and powerful proposal for a universal structure of human experience that can embrace the efforts of science, philosophy, and religion as more similar than different."—Religious Studies Review

"This is an unpretentious, not overly technical, clearly written work....Mitchell shows that one can take history seriously without becoming a historicist."—Anglican Theological Review

"[T]his book, with its clarity and grace, is an affirmation of a reflective faith. There are wonderfully insightful passages in this book [and] the discussions are framed with such clarity that they are still illuminating."—Pro Ecclesia

"...this volume treats a complex set of questions in an eminently accessible and engaging manner....a deeply learned survey of difficult terrain. It will be read with profit by those informed by the more technical debate."—The Journal of Religion

From the Publisher