Analyzing Doctrine - by Oliver D Crisp (Hardcover)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

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, Jr. "Modern Theology"

"A stimulating and instructive book."

-- "Choice"

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.

--Mark Smith "The Global Anglican"

...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.

--Forrest H. Buckner "Calvin Theological Journal"

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.