The bold thesis of Canonical Theism is that the good and life-giving Holy Spirit has equipped the church not only with a canon of scripture but also with an abundant canonical heritage of materials, persons, and practices. However, much of the latter has been ignored or cast aside. The authors call for the retrieval and redeployment of the full range of this rich legacy. Voices from across the spectrum here chart and defend that mine of opportunity and invite the entire church to explore the benefits of their discoveries.

Ambitious in its scope and agenda, Canonical Theism offers insights that will enable the readers to discover anew the faith that has nourished converts, created saints, and upheld martyrs across the years.

Contributors include:

William J. Abraham
Frederick D. Aquino
Paul L. Gavrilyuk
Charles Gutenson
Douglas M. Koskela
Mark E. Powell
Frederick W. Schmidt
Horace Six-Means
Natalie B. Van Kirk
Jason E. Vickers
David F. Watson

Product Information

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Title: Canonical Theism: A Proposal for Theology & the Church
By: Edited by W. Abraham, J.E. Vickers & N.B. Van Kirk
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 355
Vendor: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Publication Date: 2008

Dimensions: 9.00 X 6.00 (inches)
Weight: 1 pound 1 ounce
ISBN: 0802862381
ISBN-13: 9780802862389
Stock No: WW862389

Publisher's Description

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Canonical Theism is a post-Protestant vision for the renewal of both theology and church. The editors call for the retrieval and redeployment of the full range of materials, persons, and practices that make up the canonical heritage of the church, including scripture, doctrine, sacred image, saints, sacraments, and more.

The central thesis of the work is that the good and life-giving Holy Spirit has equipped the church with not only a canon of scripture but also with a rich canonical heritage of materials, persons, and practices. However, much of the latter has been ignored or cast aside. This unplumbed resource of canonical heritage waits for the church to rediscover its wealth. With a bold set of thirty theses, the authors chart and defend that mine of opportunity. They then invite the entire church to explore the benefits of their discoveries.

This ambitious book offers insights to be integrated into the church body, renewing the faith that nourished converts, created saints, and upheld martyrs across the years.

Author Bio

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William J. Abraham (1947–2021) was Professor Emeritus of Wesley Studies at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, and the inaugural director of the Wesley House of Studies at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University. His books include The Logic of Evangelism and The Logic of Renewal, and Among the Ashes: On Death, Grief, and Hope.

Endorsements

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"Serious systematic theology in North America is showing vitality and energy but little unity of vision. Among the many various theological movements we must now add a fascinating and creative minority voice: canonical theism. After meeting together for several years, William Abraham and several like-minded theologians have put together this programmatic collection that covers many of the central themes of Christian doctrine. . . . By grounding theology at the center of classic Christianity, these authors provide a rich feast for theologians of all types to read, ponder, and critique. The way forward for theology in the twenty-first century is not to abandon the great tradition of the church but to creatively engage it. This book helps us do just that." -Alan G. Padgett, Luther Seminary

Editor Bio

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William J. Abraham is Albert Cook Outler Professor of Theology and Wesley Studies at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. His other books include Canon and Criterion in Christian Theology: From the Fathers to Feminism.

Jason E. Vickers is assistant professor of theology and Wesleyan studies at United Theological Seminary.

Natalie B. Van Kirk is canon theologian and adjunct faculty at Perkins School of Theology.