On Christian Theology

In this comprehensive collection of his work, Rowan Williams, one of the most significant theologians of his generation, tackles many of the most searching questions of theology and society at the end of the twentieth century. This is a book that bridges the gap between the academic, the spiritual and the political. It is the culmination of 20 years of teaching theology and of pastoral ministry, and reflects a continuing engagement with the patristic and medieval tradition of theology as well as with issues of contemporary theology and philosophy. Williams argues that theology moves constantly between the three registers of the celebratory, the communicative and the critical, and is held together by something not captured by any of these modes. He reflects on the fundamental connection between theology and self–awareness and self–critique, and discusses doctrinal issues – creation, incarnation, the Trinity – in this light. He addresses the nature of signs and sacraments and looks at the public and ethical embodiment of this theological vision. Overall, Williams presents a theological perspective acutely aware of the cultural and political crises of our time. He suggests that detachment from doctrinal tradition will not solve our problems and argues instead for an imaginative reworking of the doctrinal tradition, formed in an intense dialogue with modernity and postmodernity.

Acknowledgements. Preface. Prologue. 1. Defining the Enterprise. Theological Integrity. The Unity of Christian Truth. The Judgement of the World. The Discipline of Scripture. 2. The Act of God. On Being Creatures. Beginning with the Incarnation. The Finality of Christ. Word and Spirit. 3. The Grammar of God. Trinity and Revelation. Trinity and Ontology. Trinity and Pluralism. 4. Making Signs. Between the Cherubim: the Empty Tomb and the Empty Throne. The Nature of a Sacrament. Sacraments of the New Society. 5. Living the Mystery. Incarnation and the Renewal of Community. Interiority and Epiphany: a Reading in New Testament Ethics. Resurrection and Peace: More on New Testament Ethics. ′Nobody Knows Who I Am Till the Judgement Morning′. Index.

Rowan Williams was enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury in February 2003. His previous positions include Archbishop of Wales, Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity, Oxford and Dean of Clare College, Cambridge. He has taught theology for more than fifteen years in five continents, worked as a parish priest, and published widely. His previous publications include Teresa of Avila (1991), Open to Judgment (1994) and Sergi Bulgakov (1999).

"I believe Rowan Williams is one of the most creative and profound theologians writing in the latter half of the twentieth century. There is extraordinary significance to bringing together many of these essays into one book which makes them available to a wider public." L. Gregory Jones, Duke University <!––end––> "A sustained and remarkably coherent essay on the daunting task of doing theology today. They again show him to be a theologian of immense erudition and maturity, and, perhaps more importantly, of fine sensitivity to the subterfuges of human frailty." Times Literary Supplement "It is certainly a thought–provoking book; and if it gets people thinking honestly and deeply about the problems it discusses, then I am sure its author will be satisfied." Church Times "Few contemporary theologians could offer such an exhilarating, authoritative and properly demanding exploration of what it means to do Christian theology. A companion volume on Christian ethics would be more than welcome." Nicholas Sagovsky, University of Newcastle. "Rowan Williams speaks out of a fund of learning and pastoral experience which has made him arguably the most distinguished theologian in the English–speaking world. In Williams′ hands the language of finality and universal significance gains unexpected energy." The Way. "[On Christian Theology] exhibits a distinctive theological posture...having remarkable and deep internal coherence. His terms of engagement do not so much incite challenge and response as provoke fresh and more supple thinking of one′s own. And that provocation is accompanied by the intense esthetic satisfaction of being drawn into the intellectual dance of so nimble and inventive a theological sensibility." David H. Kelsey, Yale Divinity School . "The range of these essays, the importance of the subjects they treat, and, of course, Williams′s erudition all mean that these essays will need to be taken seriously. A wide range of readers will owe Williams a debt of gratitude for the scatter of characteristically brilliant insights in these essays." The Heythrop Journal "All in all, this is a valuable and stumulating book – one to which the reader will want to return." Studies in World Christianity