Theology and the Enlightenment: A Critical Enquiry into Enlightenment Theology and its Reception

by Paul Avis

Overview

Challenging the common assumption that the Enlightenment of the late seventeenth and the eighteenth centuries was an essentially secular, irreligious and atheistic movement, this book critiques this standard interpretation as based on a narrow view of Enlightenment sources.

Building on the work of revisionist historians, this volume takes the argument squarely into the theological domain, whether Anglican, Dissenting, Lutheran or deistic, whilst also noting that the Enlightenment deeply affected Roman Catholic and Jewish theologies. It challenges the stereotype of 'Enlightenment rationalism', and the penultimate chapter brings out the biblical and ecclesial roots of the image of enlightenment and reclaims it for Christian faith.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780567705648
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/15/2022
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	5.45(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.87(d)

About the Author

Paul Avis is Honorary Professor in the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, UK, as well as Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Exeter, UK, and Editor-in-Chief of Ecclesiology.

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1:
Engaging the Enlightenment

Chapter 2:
Scapegoating the Enlightenment

Chapter 3:
A Virtuous Enlightenment

Chapter 4:
The Enlightenment and Religion

Chapter 5:
The Anglican Enlightenment

Chapter 6:
Enlightenment History and the Bible

Chapter 7:
The Enlightenment in the Frame of Christian Theology

Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

In this momentous work, the author gives a comprehensive and fresh examination of the Enlightenment's philosophies, religious thought and theology. This book is an invaluable guide for navigating the critical debates on the Enlightenment. Anyone interested in understanding the theological dimension of the Enlightenment will definitely welcome this magnificent book.” —Nikolaus Knoepffler, The University of Jena, Germany

“This book makes a very significant contribution to recent re-working of the Enlightenment. Avis, with his customary detailed scholarship and careful articulation, has drawn out the issues and presents a provocative and detailed account of theology and the End the Enlightenment. An excellent piece of accessible scholarly writing.” —Bruce Kaye, Charles Sturt University, Canberra

From the Publisher