The issue of authority has been contended in Anglican Theology since the Reformation, and remains very much alive today. Setting his critique within its ecumenical context, Avis examines the way that Anglican theologians throughout history have developed their theories of authority in relation to the Bible, tradition, reason and experience.
Metaphor, Symbol and Myth in Religion and Theology
Exploring the significance of metaphor, symbol, and myth, Paul Avis challenges the notion that figurative language is merely superficial in contemporary culture. He presents an alternative tradition rooted in the Romantic poets Blake, Wordsworth, and Keats, alongside the ideas of Cleridge and Newman. By integrating insights from modern philosophy and science, Avis argues that these elements are essential for a deeper understanding of God and the sacred, emphasizing their enduring value in spiritual discourse.
The book explores the challenges posed by influential thinkers like Feuerbach, Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud, who contend that religious belief is merely an illusion arising from psychological and social needs. It also examines Jung's perspective, which suggests that traditional Christianity misrepresents the divine. Through these critiques, the text questions the validity of Christianity's truth claims in the face of modern criticism.
Focusing on the dual themes of conflict and dialogue within Christianity, Paul Avis presents a nuanced exploration of Anglicanism and ecumenism. He examines the interplay between argument and harmony in contemporary theology and church practices, advocating for a vision that transcends traditional liberal and orthodox divisions. Through his analysis, Avis provides insights into fostering agreement and understanding in a diverse religious landscape, making his work both rigorous and accessible.
The emergence of a sense of the past in Renaissance humanism gave rise to a new historical consciousness about the meaning of history and methods of historical enquiry. This book, originally published in 1986, provides an in-depth critical introduction to the historical thought of some of the most influential thinkers of Western culture, from Machiavelli¿s reflections on history and power to the revolutionary intuitions of Giambattista Vico¿s New Science of historical understanding, taking in Bodin, Montaigne, Bacon, Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, Newton, Leibniz and Bayle on the way.
The articles of this collection examine contemporary structures of authority in the Christian church. Scholars critically explore their own churches, looking at historical as well as contemporary discussions about authority: the conciliar tradition, secular developments, experiences of non-ordained ecclesial leadership, on to more confessional principles, rules, and practices relevant for church governance. Contributions represent the following traditions: Anglican, Old Catholic, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, and Reformed. The goal is not only to theorize about authority abstractly, but also to explore potential paths for closer ecclesial union and ecumenical action.