Between Relativism and Fundamentalism

by Berger, Peter L.

• ISBN13: 9780802863874
• ISBN10: 0802863876
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-12-30
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co

Summary

Our contemporary culture is dominated by two extremes relativism and fundamentalism. Neither is desirable: relativism claims that all questions of truth are irrelevant, whereas fundamentalism insists on sole possession of absolute truth. Internationally renowned sociologist of religion Peter Berger has gathered a group of scholars to consider how, from out of different traditions, one can define a middle position between both extremes. / After an extensive introductory overview by Berger, three essays (sociological descriptions) give an objective picture of how relativism and fundamentalism play out in todays world. In the second part (theological directions) authors from several different Christian traditions and one conservative Jewish tradition flesh out a normative middle ground that is neither relativist they affirm specific truth claims nor fundamentalist their affirmations include tolerance of the claims of others.

Author Biography

Peter L. Berger is senior research fellow and founder of the Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs at Boston University. His many previous books include The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics and (with Anton Zijderveld) In Praise of Doubt: How to Have Convictions without Becoming a Fanatic.

Table of Contents

Contributors	p. vii
Preface	p. ix
Introduction: Between Relativism and Fundamentalism	p. 1
Sociological Descriptions
Fundamentalism and Relativism Together: Reflections on Genealogy	p. 17
An English Example: Exploring the Via Media in the Twenty-First Century	p. 35
Evangelicals in Search of a Political Theology	p. 56
Theological Directions
Religious Conviction in a Diverse World: A Jewish Perspective on Fundamentalism and Relativism	p. 105
Christianity in an Age of Uncertainty: A Catholic Perspective	p. 124
A Lutheran Approach	p. 152
Pilgrim at the Spaghetti Junction: An Evangelical Perspective on Relativism and Fundamentalism	p. 164
Relativism and Fundamentalism: An Eastern Church Perspective from the ôParis Schoolö and Living Tradition	p. 180
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