SUGGESTION: Faithful Persuasion: In Aid of a Rhetoric of Christian Theology
Faithful Persuasion: In Aid of a Rhetoric of Christian Theology by David S. Cunningham
In Faithful Persuasion David S. Cunningham offers the contemporary era’s first sustained account of the relationship between rhetoric and Christian theology. Cunningham argues that Christian thinkers should abandon their attempts to codify argumentation within the canons of formal logic and suggests that they should instead come to a more organic understanding of the process of persuasion. This rhetorical approach to theology can cast new light on longstanding theological controversies and estalbish a new agenda for the study of the methods, sources, and norms of Christian theology.
Drawing chiefly upon the rhetorical insights of Aristotle, and on the reappropriation of Aristotle’s views by numerous modern rhetoricians—ranging from John Henry Newman to Kenneth Burke and Chaim Perelman—Cunningham establishes a firm foundation from which to support his central assertion that ‘Christian theology can best be understood as a form of persuasive argument.’ In addition, he explores the implications of a rhetorical method for studies in doctrinal formulation, biblical exegesis, and church history.
Written for theologians, clergy members, and laypeople with a strong interest in theology, this book will introduce readers to the richness of the rhetorical tradition and its important implications for the discipline of Christian theology.
“This book is an important contribution to theological method and one that deserves a wide reading. Cunningham has explored a dimension of theology that has been almost entirely overlooked in the history of its disciplinary self-understanding, and he offers imaginative suggestions for the implementation of the approach he commends.”—Theological Studies
“This work will be widely appreciated by many. Certainly it falls within the great learned tradition of Cardinal Newman and Oxbridge theology over the last hundred years.”—Journal of Religion
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
Comments
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MJ. Smith said:
Faithful Persuasion: In Aid of a Rhetoric of Christian Theology by David S. Cunningham
Cunningham argues that Christian thinkers should abandon their attempts to codify argumentation within the canons of formal logic and suggests that they should instead come to a more organic understanding of the process of persuasion.
I'm willing to give this a look just for this statement, however, as useful as logic and rhetoric can be, I think everyone should remember that Aristotle was the personal tutor of the man who is described in Dan. 8:5 and Dan. 11:3, and whose efforts constitute the iterations of the Beast mentioned in Dan. 2:32, 39 and Dan. 7:6. Don't become too enamored--revelation (which has its own logic) supersedes the logic of man.
MJ. Smith said:
Drawing chiefly upon the rhetorical insights of Aristotle, and on the reappropriation of Aristotle’s views by numerous modern rhetoricians—ranging from John Henry Newman to Kenneth Burke and Chaim Perelman—Cunningham establishes a firm foundation from which to support his central assertion that ‘Christian theology can best be understood as a form of persuasive argument.’ In addition, he explores the implications of a rhetorical method for studies in doctrinal formulation, biblical exegesis, and church history.
One could add...and prophetic revelation.
ASUS ProArt x570s Creator, AMD R9 5950x, HyperX 64gb 3600 RAM, ASUS Strix RTX 2080 ti
"The Unbelievable Work...believe it or not." Little children...Biblical prophecy is not Christianity's friend.
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David Paul said:
I think everyone should remember that Aristotle was the personal tutor of the man who
It's good to be well educated; However, the fact is irrelevant to the content or evaluation of the content of the book.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
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MJ. Smith said:David Paul said:
I think everyone should remember that Aristotle was the personal tutor of the man who
It's good to be well educated; However, the fact is irrelevant to the content or evaluation of the content of the book.
From a logical-historical perspective, I agree. Prophetically...well, prophecy has tentacles that reach into areas you would least expect. How much is to be found here? I would have to read the book to develop an opinion.
ASUS ProArt x570s Creator, AMD R9 5950x, HyperX 64gb 3600 RAM, ASUS Strix RTX 2080 ti
"The Unbelievable Work...believe it or not." Little children...Biblical prophecy is not Christianity's friend.
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