“Constructive theology—the phrase has become commonplace in theological circles and in the job titles of a growing number of seminary and divinity school professors. But, surprisingly, the term has received little sustained historical and methodological analysis. Just what is constructive theology? When did the phrase first come into circulation? What are its historical antecedents and its contemporary obligations? Jason Wyman has written the first book length treatment of these questions, and, in a fully constructive key, he also offers compelling proposals about what constructive theology might yet become. This book is indispensable reading for all who care about constructive theology’s rich past and promising future.”
Constructing Constructive Theology: An Introductory Sketch
To date, constructive theology hasn’t been viewed or conceptualized as a movement or trend in theology on its own as a whole. Questions arise as to what constructive theology is, where it came from, why it considers itself “constructive,” and why “constructive” is something different from the ways in which theology has been done in the past. This book traces the overall historical arc of constructive theology, from proto-movement through the present. Inklings of constructive theology emerged well before it began to take any formalized shape. At the same time, an important shift occurred when a group of theologians decided to create the Workgroup on Constructive Theology. Further, even as the workgroup continues to work collectively, producing textbooks, statements, and methodologies concerning theology, many theologians who are not part of the workgroup or may not even know it exists have adopted the moniker of “constructive theologian.” The book also considers the term “constructive” itself, offering possible reasons and historical contexts that led to this distinction being made in contrast to “systematic” theology and its subcategories. Constructive theology speaks to a very specific, historically situated emergence in the academy generally and in theology’s attempts to engage those shifts specifically.
- Publisher Fortress Press
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781506418605
- eBook ISBN 9781506418612
- Dimensions 6 x 9
- Pages 234
- Publication Date July 15, 2017
Samples
Contents:
Introduction
1. The Emergence of Constructive Theology
2. The Workgroup on Constructive Theology
3. Constructive Theology as Interdisciplinary Theology
4. Constructive Theology as Activist Theology
5. Constructive Theology as a Method and a Tradition
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index