The Word As True Myth - Paperback

by Gary Dorrien (Author)

The twentieth century saw a wide variety of theological stands that were often confusing. Gary Dorrien sorts through theological trends by focusing on the notions of Christ and word. He presents the story of recent theology in a narrative style that makes the book ideal for classroom use, integrating the major theologians of the century along with other developments in philosophy and culture.

Back Jacket

Gary Dorrien follows the threads of theology through the twentieth century, examining how Christians have reconciled their myth-filled religious beliefs within a world secularized by Enlightenment criticism and science. To understand how religion keeps its place in Christians' lives, Dorrien writes, we must explore how modern theologians have answered the question of myth in today's Christianity. Dorrien's narrative walks readers through modern theology - stopping with each of the major thinkers along the way to see how they dealt with the issue of modern Christian mythology. Ultimately he offers his own "new neo-orthodoxy", a theology of Word and Spirit that is pluralistic and affirms the mythical character of the gospel while holding fast to the Gospels' myth-negating condemnation of idolatry and their focus on history.