The Oxford Handbook of the Epistemology of Theology

Description

The Oxford Handbook of the Epistemology of Theology brings together leading scholars in the fields of theology and epistemology to examine and articulate what can be categorized as appropriate epistemic evaluation in theology. Part one focuses on some of the epistemic concepts that have been traditionally employed in theology such as knowledge of God, revelation and scripture, reason and faith, experience, and tradition. This section also considers concepts that have not received sufficient epistemological attention in theology, such as saints, authority, ecclesial practices, spiritual formation, and discernment. Part two concentrates on epistemic concepts that have received significant attention in contemporary epistemology and can be related to theology such as understanding, wisdom, testimony, virtue, evidence, foundationalism, realism/antirealism, skepticism, and disagreement. Part three offers examples from key figures in the Christian tradition and investigates the relevant epistemological issues and insights in these writers, as well as recognizing the challenges of connecting insights from contemporary epistemology with the subject of theology proper, namely, God. Part four centers on five emerging areas that warrant further epistemological consideration: Liberation Theology, Continental Philosophy, modern Orthodox writers, Feminism, and Pentecostalism. This authoritative collection explores how the various topics, figures, and emerging conversations can be reconceived and addressed in light of recent developments in epistemology. Each chapter provides an analysis of the crucial moves, positions, and debates, while also identifying relevant epistemic considerations. This Handbook fulfils the need for the development of this new conversation that will take its natural place in the intersection of theology and epistemology. It links the fields of theology and epistemology in robust, meaningful, and significant ways. Cover Acknowledgements Contents List of Abbreviations List of Contributors Introduction: The Epistemology of Theology PART I EPISTEMIC CONCEPTS WITHIN THEOLOGY 1. Knowledge of God 2. Revelation and Scripture 3. Reason and Faith 4. The Experiential Grounding of Religious Belief 5. Saints and Saintliness 6. Authority in Religious Communities 7. The Inner Witness of the Spirit 8. Tradition 9. Ecclesial Practices 10. Spiritual Formation, Authority, and Discernment PART II GENERAL EPISTEMIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO THEOLOGY 11. Understanding 12. Wisdom in Theology 13. The Epistemology of Testimony and Religious Belief 14. Virtue 15. Evidence and Theology 16. Foundationalism 17. Realism and Anti- realism 18. Scepticism 19. Disagreement and the Epistemology of Theology PART III SAMPLINGS FROM THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION 20. Paul the Apostle 21. Origen of Alexandria 22. Augustine 23. Maximus the Confessor 24. Symeon the New Theologian 25. Anselm 26. Thomas Aquinas 27. John Duns Scotus 28. Richard Hooker 29. Teresa of Ávila 30. John Wesley 31. Jonathan Edwards 32. Friedrich Schleiermacher 33. Søren Kierkegaard 34. John Henry Newman 35. Karl Barth 36. Hans Urs von Balthasar PART IV EMERGING CONVERSATIONS 37. Liberation Theology 38. Continental Philosophy 39. Modern Orthodox Thinkers 40. The Epistemology of Feminist Theology 41. Pentecostalism Index