By the Renewing of Your Minds: The Pastoral Function of Christian DoctrineThis book develops the thesis that classical Christian theology seeks to help believers flourish by knowing and loving God. Ellen Charry argues this premise by example, offering a close reading of a number of classical texts, from the New Testament era to the Reformation, including works of Paul, Augustine, Athanasius, Basil of Caesarea, Anselm, and Calvin. She points out the pastoral and moral aims that shape the teachings of these theologians on a wide range of topics, including the Trinity; human beings as created in the image of God; the incorporation of Jews and Gentiles into the body of Christ in baptism; the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ; and the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Charry explains that the very logic of their arguments is shaped by the author's concern for the goodness and happiness that should result from living into the doctrines. She further shows that although the spiritual and pastoral purposes of these writings are many and complex, they are invariably concerned to foster what modern people can, without difficulty, recognize as human dignity--what she calls "excellence"--in action, affection, and self-appraisal. |
Contents
Basil of Caesarea | 101 |
The Practical Task of the Catholic Faith | 137 |
Assessment | 147 |
Copyright | |
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anger Anselm aretegenic aretology argues argument Athanasius Augustine Augustine's authority baptism Basil become behavior believers biblical called Calvin character Christ Christian doctrine Christian excellence Christian identity christology church compassion creation criticism cross death dignity discussion divine doxology E. P. Sanders Eadmer epistemology eternal faith Father fear formation gentiles gifts goal God's love grace Holy Spirit homoousios human humility identity Incarnation interpretation Jesus Jewish Jews Judaism judgment Julian knowledge live Matthean Matthew medieval mind Mishnah modern moral Neoplatonic norm obedience one's ourselves pagans passion pastoral patristic Paul Paul's perhaps Pharisees piety practice prayer proper Proslogion psychology purity reader relationship resurrection rhetorical righteousness saints salvation sapience scripture Sermon simply social soteriology soul standard subordinationism suggests Tannaitic task teaching theme theologians theology theosis things Thomas tion tradition transformation treatise trinitarian Trinity trust truth turn understanding virtue wisdom Word wrath