Pattison, George (University of Oxford)

Kierkegaard and the Theology of the Nineteenth Century: The Paradox and the ‘Point of Contact’ Pattison, George (University of Oxford)

Marc Notes: Originally published: 2012.; Includes bibliographical references and index.; This text shows how Kierkegaard's mature theological writings reflect his engagement with the wide range of theological positions he encountered as a student, including German and Danish Romanticism, Hegelianism and the writings of Fichte and Schleiermacher. Table of Contents: References to Kierkegaard's works; Introduction; 1. Beginning with the beginning of modern theology; 2. Speculative theology; 3. David Friedrich Strauss; 4. Immanence and transcendence; 5. Out there with the lilies and the birds; 6. Sin; 7. Redemption; 8. Proclaiming the Word; 9. Christianity after the Church; 10. Kierkegaard's hands; Bibliography; Index. Review Quotes: ..".relatively compact but thoroughly comprehensive.... Truly, as a contribution to Kierkegaard scholarship, Pattison s book is an extremely rich resource for further development. The textual documentation dives broadly and deeply into Kierkegaard s writings, many of which have been largely neglected up until this point..." --Jason Goltz, Westminster College, The Bibliographia"Review Quotes: "Pattison's very interesting book contributes substantially to existing scholarship by presenting Kierkegaard's theological position as both coherent and unique. For those who prefer to neglect or undermine the theological commitments of Kierkegaard's thought, his book poses a real challenge. And on the other hand, for those who are concerned that regarding Kierkegaard as a theologian may come at the expense of appreciating him as a philosopher, it elegantly demonstrates that there is no place for such a concern. His book should be of great interest to students and scholars in both philosophy and theology." Sharon Krishek, The Hebrew University of JerusalemReview Quotes: " relatively compact but thoroughly comprehensive Truly, as a contribution to Kierkegaard scholarship, Pattison s book is an extremely rich resource for further development. The textual documentation dives broadly and deeply into Kierkegaard s writings, many of which have been largely neglected up until this point " Jason Goltz, The Bibliographia"Review Quotes: "George Pattison's detailed and illuminating work provides an important and welcome service to the field This expansive exposition of Kierkegaard and his context warrants an esteemed place as one of the first ports of call for any theological engagement with a great thinker whose time, even yet, has perhaps not fully arrived." Simon D. Podmore, The Expository Times"Publisher Marketing: This study shows how Kierkegaard's mature theological writings reflect his engagement with the wide range of theological positions which he encountered as a student, including German and Danish Romanticism, Hegelianism and the writings of Fichte and Schleiermacher. George Pattison draws on both major and lesser-known works to show the complexity and nuances of Kierkegaard's theological position, which remained closer to Schleiermacher's affirmation of religion as a 'feeling of absolute dependence' than to the Barthian denial of any 'point of contact', with which he is often associated. Pattison also explores ways in which Kierkegaard's theological thought can be related to thinkers such as Heidegger and John Henry Newman, and its continuing relevance to present-day debates about secular faith. His volume will be of great interest to scholars and students of philosophy and theology.

Contributor Bio:  Pattison, George George Pattison is Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford and Canon of Christ Church Cathedral. His publications include God and Being; An Enquiry (2011); Crucifixions and Resurrections of the Image (2009) and Kierkegaard, Religion and the Nineteenth Century Crisis of Culture (Cambridge University Press, 2002). He is editor and translator of Kierkegaard's Spiritual Writings (2010).