Theology without metaphysics : God, language, and the spirit of recognition / Kevin Hector.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hector, Kevin.

Series:

Current issues in theology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

God (Christianity).

Philosophical theology.

Language and languages--Religious aspects--Christianity.

Language and languages.

Metaphysics.

Physical Description:

x, 301 pages ; 21 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : Cambridge University Press, 2011.

Summary:

One of the central arguments of post-metaphysical theology is that language is inherently "metaphysical." and consequently that it shoehorns objects into predetermined categories. Because God is beyond such categories, it follows that language cannot apply to God.

Drawing on recent work in theology and philosophy of language, Kevin W. Hector develops an alternative account of language and its relation to God, demonstrating that one need not choose between fitting God in to a metaphysical framework, on the one hand, and keeping God at a distance from language, on the other. Hector thus elaborates a "therapeutic" response to metaphysics: given the extent to which metaphysical presuppositions about language have become embedded in common sense, he argues that metaphysics can be fully overcome only by defending an alternative account of language and its application to God, of such a kind as to strip such presuppositions of their apparent self-evidence and release us from their grip. Book jacket.

There is a need among upper-undergraduate and graduate students of theology, as well as among Christian teachers and church professionals, for a series of short, focussed studies of particular key topics in theology written by prominent theologians. Current Issues in Theology meets this need.

The books in the series are designed to provide a "state-of-the-art "statement on the topic in question, engaging with contemporary thinking as well as providing original insights. The aim is to publish books which stand between the static monograph genre and the more immediate statement of a journal article, by authors who are questioning existing paradigms or rethinking perspectives. Book jacket.

Contents:

Therapy for metaphysics

Concepts, rules, and the spirit of recognition

Meaning and meanings

Reference and presence

Truth and correspondence

Emancipating theology.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0521279704

9781107010284

1107010284

9780521279703

OCLC:

733755557

Publisher Number:

99945969686