On the Scope and Truth of Theology: Theology as Symbolic Engagement

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This is the first volume of Robert Cumming Neville's magnum opus, Theology as Symbolic Engagement. Neville is the premier American systematic theologian of our time. His work is profoundly influenced by Paul Tillich, Friedrich Schleiermacher, and the American pragmatists John Dewey and Charles Sanders Pierce. From Tillich he takes the notion of religion, art, and morality as symbol, and the notion that religion is the substance of culture and culture the form of religion. Thus, theology is symbolic engagement with cultural forms, and Neville explores the ways that such engagement occurs among various religious traditions. One of the most important tasks in theology is to devise ways of testing, correcting, or affirming claims that we had been unable to question before. This book will argue that "system" in theology is not merely correlating assertions, but rather building perspectives from which we can render the various parts of theology vulnerable for assessment. In fact, one of the unique features of this book is its engagement with other religions. Such dialogue has been a feature of Neville's work from the beginning. Theology as Symbolic Engagement breaks the boundaries of systematic theology and moves away from the static character that characterizes such enterprises from Barth onward. Instead, Neville's book showcases the dynamic character of all theology. The hallmark of this entire project is its effort to show theology to be hypothetical and to make it vulnerable to correction.

Reviews

"This important new study of theological method comes at the culmination of the author's distinguished career as both a scholar and creative thinker in philosophy and theology. It makes an important, groundbreaking and programmatic contribution to contemporary thinking about theological method. It derives its creativity in no small measure by grounding theological method in the American pragmatic tradition." -Donald S. Gelpi, American Journal of Theology and Philosophy, Vol. 31, May 2010
mention in Journal of Religion, April 2008
Robert Neville's important new book outlines what he calls a "theology of symbolic engagement." Utilizing his key concepts (symbols) of "ultimacy" and "ultimate matters," he carefully examines, draws together, and systematizes many meanings, practices, and truths (largely from Western and East Asian religious traditions) that theological thinking must take into account today.This "philosophy of theology" (as I would call it) is not an easy book to read, but it is quite rewarding in the end, as one grasps the wide reach and the well thought-through structure of Neville's vision of "symbolic engagement." --Gordon D. Kaufman, Mallinckrodt Professor of Divinity, Emeritus, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts *** QUOTE MAY NOT BE MODIFIED WITHOUT DR. KAUFMAN'S PERMISSION -- Gordon D. Kaufman * Blurb from reviewer *
"In a world where every religion is changing and yet rediscovering itsroots, theologies too are necessarily deconstructed and fashioned anew. Thevery rules of religious knowing are being experimentally refined amongmyriad religions, amidst the new comparative conversation that is definingour century. No one is more agile in mapping and theorizing the path aheadthan Robert C. Neville. His clear, intelligent, and bold proposals will haveintellectual and religious force for years to come." --Francis X. Clooney,S.J., Parkman Professor of Divinity, Harvard Divinity School" -- Francis X. Clooney * Blurb from reviewer *
"A superb achievement, this is the definitive expression of Robert Neville's theological system. The most compelling feature, for me, is the dialogue Neville advances here with every major contemporary theologian." --Nancy Frankenberry, John Phillips Professor of Religion, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire -- Nancy Frankenberry * Blurb from reviewer *

Author Bio

ROBERT CUMMINGS NEVILLE is Dean of Marsh Chapel andProfessor of Religion, Philosophy and Theology at Boston University.