The Perils of Human Exceptionalism: Elements of a Nineteenth-Century Theological Anthropology

(Hardback)

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Over the course of the nineteenth century, transatlantic intellectuals slowly revised theological anthropology, or the doctrine of humanity seen in light of the divine. Gradually, elite discourse deposed humanity from its lofty estate and centering it within a naturalistic account wherein likeness to animal fauna became the central evaluative lens. Durst argues that theological anthropologies across the disciplines increasingly shifted focus away from classic confessional themes such as the soul and the image of God, and toward the methods of natural theology and intuitionism. This occurred in the form of challenges to theology in biology, phrenology, transcendentalism, anti-theology, Christian socialism, intuitionism, and religious experience. The human soul and human sinfulness also found a revised articulation in terms increasingly shaped by the cultural authority of science. An ascendant subjective approach to human nature emerged whereby religious experiences, not theological claims to truth, assumed prominence as the central measures of religious life.

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This book shows clearly how important thinkers in the nineteenth century wrestled with the problem of human uniqueness. With thorough research and patient exploration of the era's bold new ideas, Durst explores strengths and weaknesses of the many attempts to replace traditional Christian understandings of the human person. Careful attention to science, theology, philosophy, and psychology aid Durst in articulating traditional Christian positions while at the same time crediting insights from Friedrich Schleiermacher, F. D. Maurice, William James, and other major thinkers.

Author Bio

Dennis L. Durst is associate professor of theology at Kentucky Christian University.