Download Description of Readings

TIC I Readings
During week 1 you will select four readings on which you will write a paper. At least one of
these will be presented to the class. Below is a very brief description of the author and content of
each reading, to help you choose. I’ve tried to indicate degree of difficulty, though this is
obviously subjective. Some readings are intended for broader audiences; some are intended for
more narrow academic ones and presuppose some familiarity with technical terms in philosophy
and theology. You should choose at least one of the harder/more academic readings!
Theological Anthropology
Schleiermacher. Great 19th Century Protestant systematic theologian, these Speeches
inaugurated the liberal school of theology that lasted into the late 20th century. This is an early
writing; the language is a bit flowery. Shows how religion is a vital component of humanity
even in the wake of Enlightenment attacks on its usefulness and believability. Difficult.
Sockness. Currently at Stanford, one of the leading American scholars of Schleiermacher. An
excellent essay that gets at the heart of Schleiermacher’s theological anthropology. Clearly
written but presupposes some knowledge. Medium
Niebuhr. One of the leading 20th-century American theologians. Recovers a robust
(Augustinian) notion of sin, but transforms it into social categories. One of Obama’s favorite
authors. Medium.
Saiving. This is the article that initiated feminist theology. Will seem dated to you, but its
radicalness still shines through. In basing theology in particular experience works out of
Schleiermacher’s school, lays groundwork for Black, Womanist, Latino, Mujerista, and Queer
theologies that are just around the corner. Medium
Harris. Iliff grad, teaches at Texas Christian University. A clear statement of Womanist
theological anthropology, placing it in conversation with Black theology and Black Humanism.
Easier.
Rauschenbusch. Leading figure of 20th-century Social Gospel movement. Not difficult at all but
wordy.
Isazi-Diaz. Leading figure in Mujerista theology (Latina/feminist). Clear statement of sources
and norms for Latina anthropology. Easy.
Weaver. American Indian theological anthropology. Medium.
Cobb. Retired from Claremont. Leading figure of Process Theology, an important 20th-century
move to rehabilitate traditional Christian categories in context of modern science that shows that
the universe is fundamentally dynamic (as opposed to static, as most westerners have assumed at
least since Plato). Difficult.
Kelsey. Recently retired from Yale. Good statement of what an anthropology would look like
from the perspective of narrative theology (a school strongly associated with Yale—basically the
idea that humans are fundamentally narrative; traditional Christian language is not in competition
with science or secularism, but tells a different story). Difficult.
Biblical Authority
Tillich. With Niebuhr, one of greatest 20th-century theologians (from Germany, taught at Union,
Harvard, Chicago). Argues for human need for symbols, and symbolically true religious
language. Medium.
Achtemeier. Retired from Union in Virginia. Lays out clearly choices that “conservative” and
“liberal” interpreters of the Bible make. Argues for third way (in the middle). Easy.
Pui-Lan. Teaches at Episcopal Divinity School. Leading contemporary post-colonial
theologian. Gives fascinating alternative readings of a key set of stories about women found in
the Bible. Easy.
Tracy. Recently retired from Chicago, leading Catholic theologian of the 20th century and main
proponent of “revisionist” theology, a school that argues for the value of “classic” literature and
tries to recover strong sense of biblical authority based on Bible’s status as classic. Difficult.
Brown. Former dean of Iliff and Claremont, died last year. Leading proponent of historicism,
argument that all theology (including the Bible) is squarely influenced by its historical context.
Task of theology is to make use of resources in tradition while always keeping in mind the
theologian’s own context. Easy.
Maimela. Black South African theologian who is sympathetic to theology of James Cone
(“father” of Black theology) but challenges his use of scripture. Easier.
Pluralism
Troeltsch. Early 20th-century German theologian, most profound analyst of effects of rise of
historical consciousness on traditional claims of Christianity, and what that means for how each
religion relates to the society in which it develops. Medium.
Barth. Most important Protestant systematic theologian of 20th century, founder of neoorthodoxy. Focuses on wholly otherness of God, revelation as source of knowledge, and special
place of Christian revelation (not Christianity!) in salvation. Medium.
Rahner. German Catholic, leading early/mid 20th-century German, main theological influence at
the Second Vatican Council. Argues that people of other religions can be saved as “anonymous
Christians.” Medium.
Lindbeck. Yale theologian died about 10 years ago, one of leaders of narrative theology.
Argues that religions are not different paths up the same mountain, but that each is
fundamentally different (tells different story). Difficult.
Pieris. Catholic theologian in Sri Lanka, interesting argument from a theologian in “developing”
world about truth of Christianity and value of indigenous religions. Medium
Hicks. A leading philosopher of religion and the foremost spokesperson of the view that
religions are fundamentally equal because they accomplish the same things for people, and are a
response to the same experience of the divine. Easy.