By the Renewing of Your Minds The Pastoral Function of Christian Doctrine

by Charry, Ellen T.

• ISBN13: 9780195097108
• ISBN10: 0195097106
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-07-03
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This book develops the thesis that classical Christian theology seeks to help believers flourish by knowing and loving God. Ellen Charry argues this premise by example, offering a close reading of a number of classical texts, from the New Testament era to the Reformation, including works ofPaul, Augustine, Athanasius, Basil of Caesarea, Anselm, and Calvin. She points out the pastoral and moral aims that shape the teachings of these theologians on a wide range of topics, including the Trinity; human beings as created in the image of God; the incorporation of Jews and Gentiles into thebody of Christ in baptism; the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ; and the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Charry explains that the very logic of their arguments is shaped by the author's concern for the goodness and happiness that should result from living into the doctrines. She furthershows that although the spiritual and pastoral purposes of these writings are many and complex, they are invariably concerned to foster what modern people can, without difficulty, recognize as human dignity--what she calls "excellence"--in action, affection, and self-appraisal.

Table of Contents

PART I: INTRODUCTION	3	(32)
One The Art of Christian Excellence	3	(32)
God for Human Flourishing	3	(2)
The Art of Theological Practice	5	(11)
Aretegenic Interpretation of Christian Texts	16	(3)
Colonizing the Mind	19	(9)
Salutarity in Dogmatics	28	(7)
PART II: NEW TESTAMENT FOUNDATIONS	35	(52)
Two Co-optation into the Work of God: Paul and His School	35	(26)
God's Co-optation of Pagans	36	(7)
Consecration of Believers	43	(3)
Empowered by the Spirit	46	(4)
The Discipled Community	50	(7)
Assessment	57	(4)
Three Authoritative Teaching: The Sermon on the Mount	61	(26)
The Setting for Matthean Purity	61	(7)
The Structure of the Sermon on the Mount	68	(1)
An Aretegenic Reading of the Sermon on the Mount	69	(10)
Assessment	79	(8)
PART III: PATRISTIC VOICES	87	(68)
Four Defeating the Fear of Death: Athanasius of Alexandria	87	(14)
The Bishop as Catechist	87	(1)
The Persistent Lure of Paganism	87	(4)
Curing a Disordered Mind	91	(4)
Athanasian Christology	95	(3)
Assessment	98	(3)
Five Drinking in the Majesty and Grace of God: Basil of Caesarea	101	(19)
Grammar for Virtue	101	(2)
Remedying Social Dysfunction	103	(2)
The Virtue of Knowing God	105	(12)
Calling Forth a Reader's Best Self	117	(3)
Six Dwelling in the Dignity of God: Augustine of Hippo	120	(35)
The State of the Trinitarian Question	120	(8)
Learning to Savor God	128	(9)
The Practical Task of the Catholic Faith	137	(5)
The Salutarity of Sapience	142	(5)
Assessment	147	(8)
PART IV: MEDIEVAL PIETY	155	(44)
Seven Learning the Cross of Christ: Anselm of Canterbury	155	(21)
Testimony from Anselm's Biography	155	(3)
Testimony from Anselm's Letters	158	(3)
Testimony from Anselm's Prayers	161	(5)
Testimony from Anselm's Treatises	166	(7)
Assessment	173	(3)
Eight Learning Love and Justice: St. Thomas and Dame Julian	176	(23)
The Climb toward Humility	176	(4)
The Passion According to St. Thomas	180	(5)
The Work of Christ Our Mother	185	(9)
Assessment	194	(5)
PART V: SIXTEENTH-CENTURY REFORM	199	(26)
Nine "By the Renewing of Your Minds": John Calvin	199	(26)
The Task	199	(6)
Diagnosing the Problem	205	(5)
The Way Back	210	(3)
The Divine Pedagogy	213	(4)
Assessment	217	(8)
PART VI: CONCLUSION	225	(22)
Ten Sapiential Theology	225	(22)
The Salutarity of Christian Doctrine	225	(10)
Renewing Sapiential Theology	235	(4)
Practicing the Theological Art	239	(8)
Works Cited	247	(8)
Index	255