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Book Cover for: Rethinking Fundamental Theology, Gerald O'Collins

Rethinking Fundamental Theology

Gerald O'Collins

This book identifies the distinguishing features of fundamental theology, as distinct from philosophical theology, natural theology, apologetics, and other similar disciplines. Addressing the potential for confusion about basic Christian claims and beliefs, Gerald O'Collins sets out to relaunch fundamental theology as a discipline by presenting a coherent vision of basic theological questions and positions that lay the ground for work in specific areas of systematic theology.

Rethinking Fundamental Theology examines central theological questions: about God, human experience and, specifically, religious experience; the divine revelation coming through the history of Israel and through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus; human faith that responds to revelation; the nature of tradition that transmits the record and reality of revelation; the structure of biblical inspiration and truth, as well as basic issues concerned with the formation of the canon; the founding of the Church with some leadership structures; the relationship between Christ's revelation and the faith of those who follow other religions. O'Collins concludes with some reflections on theological method.

Written with the scholarship and accessibility for which O'Collins is known and valued, this book will relaunch fundamental theology as a distinct and necessary discipline in faculties and departments of theology and religious studies around the world.

Book Details

  • Publisher: OUP Oxford
  • Publish Date: Jul 21st, 2011
  • Pages: 380
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.50in - 5.60in - 1.00in - 1.40lb
  • EAN: 9780199605569
  • Categories: Christian Theology - SystematicTheology

About the Author

Born in Melbourne (Australia), Gerald O'Collins was ordained a priest in 1963, took his PhD at the University of Cambridge in 1968 and taught for 33 years at the Gregorian University (Rome), where he was also dean of theology (1985-91). Now living back in Australia, he is an adjunct professor of the Australian Catholic University. Author or co-author of 56 published books and of hundreds of articles in professional and popular journals, he is widely known for his appearances on BBC and as a lecturer in many universities and colleges around the world and has chaired conferences for the Templeton Foundation.. He has received numerous honorary doctorates and other awards, including the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), the highest honour awarded through the Australian government.

Praise for this book

"Educated readers of all kinds will find much to inspire them and to challenge their preconceptions about the role and task of theology."--Commonweal

"A very fine text that should be welcomed by teachers, scholars, and students of all kinds...This is an outstanding and impressive survey, written by one of the leading experts in the field. One has to marvel at the author's ability to summarize complex positions and problems in admirably clear, succinct prose. O'Collins's deep learning is obvious throughout, and anyone interested in fundamental theology can learn much from this work."--Theological Studies