Analyzing Doctrine: Toward a Systematic Theology

by Oliver D. Crisp

Overview

In  Analyzing Doctrine Oliver Crisp carefully considers the relationship of systematic theology to analytic philosophy, arguing that the tools of analytic philosophy can be fruitfully applied to traditional systematic theology. Doing so, as  Analyzing Doctrine reveals, creates a distinct and rich analytic theology.
 
Analyzing Doctrine employs traditional themes of systematic theology to structure Crisp’s analytic theological analysis. Crisp examines the doctrine of God, the mystery of the Trinity, and God’s intention in creating and relating to the world. He then addresses the incarnation, original sin, the virgin birth, Christ’s two wills, salvation, and, finally, the resurrection. In the process of making his constructive case, Crisp engages a range of historic theological voices from the tradition, as well as contemporary biblical studies and systematic theology.
 
Clear, accessible, and engaging,  Analyzing Doctrine establishes analytic theology’s place in the architecture of systematic theology while also challenging some of its misconceptions. By seamlessly weaving together Christian tradition and analytic philosophy to construct his theology, Crisp argues for the integral role that analytic theology plays in the theological imagination.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481309868
Publisher:	Baylor University Press
Publication date:	07/01/2019
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.06(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Oliver D. Crisp is Professor of Analytic Theology in the Institute for Analytic and Exegetical Theology at the University of St Andrews.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Analytic Systematic Theology
2. Picturing God
3. Divine Simplicity
4. Trinity and Mystery
5. God’s Eternal Purpose
6. Incarnation Anyway
7. Original Sin
8. Virgin Birth
9. Christ’s Two Wills
10. Salvation as Participation
11. Bodily Resurrection
Conclusion

What People are Saying About This

Murray Rae

Exhibiting the intellectual rigour of the recent tradition of analytic theology and drawing deeply upon the resources of theological tradition, Oliver Crisp explores the complexities of contemporary debates in theology and sounds forth a compelling witness to the God who comes among us in Christ and draws us into the abundance of his own life.

Matthew Levering

Analyzing Doctrine is eloquent, easy to read, and coherently organized.It begins with methodological considerations regarding analytic theology—in which domain Crisp increasingly has identified himself—and then undertakes ‘analytic theological’ engagements with key debates on God.In each instance, Crisp engages a significant interlocutor, whether a theologian or a biblical scholar, and often seeks to adopt a reasonable or ‘moderate’ position that accepts some part of the critique (or some part of the eccentric insight) while pushing back in the direction of the traditional doctrine.

William Wood

Oliver Crisp helped found the now-thriving analytic theology movement, and with this book he gives us its first comprehensive systematic theology. In a single volume, he discusses all the major theological topics, including some that are frequently neglected by analytic theologians, and in each chapter he steers the reader towards sensible, ‘moderate Reformed’ conclusions. The bookjoins analytic clarity with a proper respect for mystery and the ecumenical Church tradition. It is both a valuable work of constructive thought and a useful guide to the best recent work in analytic theology.

Thomas McCall

Oliver D. Crisp has emerged as one of the leading voices in English-speaking theology today.Simply put, Analyzing Doctrine is excellent: well-informed, wide-ranging, clear, penetrating, and judicious as well as gracious.It engages sympathetically and straightforwardly with much recent work in more mainstream 'systematic' or 'dogmatic' theology, and it even stretches to include some discussion of biblical scholarship.

Editorial Reviews

Oliver Crisp’s Analyzing Doctrine is the sort of work that one has come to expect from Crisp: beautifully written prose, philosophically rigorous thinking, historically informed and theologically sensitive positions, and a congenial tone. As its subtitle suggests, it is not a full-blown systematic theology, but it is moving Crisp’s work in that direction. This, to my mind, reflects a virtue underrepresented in academic writing: patience. This book is an exercise in patient reflection, argument, and analysis. It is also an exercise in patient theological construction.

James T. Turner

…A valuable addition to contemporary theological discourse that sheds ecumenical light on many contentious theological topics through the tools and assets of good analytic theology.

Calvin Theological Journal - Forrest H. Buckner

Crisp writes (as one would expect) crisply, and he packs a huge amount in to 280 pages—over eleven chapters he provides carefully-argued accounts of divine simplicity, Trinitarian ontology, the creator/creature distinction, original sin, the virgin birth, the incarnation, Christ’s two wills, salvation, and bodily resurrection. Crisp is eminently lucid, thorough, and judicious in all these explorations, and especially helpful in surveying the latest work in particular fields.

The Global Anglican - Mark Smith

"A stimulating and instructive book."

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