Series Editors: Gareth Jones and Lewis Ayres Canterbury Christ Church University College, UK and Emory University, US
Challenges in Contemporary Theology is a series aimed at producing clear orientations in, and research on, areas of ‘challenge’ in contemporary theology. These carefully co-ordinated books engage traditional theological concerns with mainstreams in modern thought and culture that challenge those concerns. The ‘challenges’ implied are to be understood in two senses: those presented by society to contemporary theology, and those posed by theology to society.
These Three are One: The Practice of Trinitarian Theology David S. Cunningham
After Writing: On the Liturgical Consummation of Philosophy Catherine Pickstock
Mystical Theology: The Integrity of Spirituality and Theology Mark A. McIntosh
Engaging Scripture: Theology, Politics, and the Body of Christ Stephen E. Fowl
Torture and Eucharist: A Model for Theological Interpretation William T. Cavanaugh
Sexuality and the Christian Body: Their Way into the Triune God Eugene F. Rogers, Jr.
On Christian Theology Rowan Williams
The Promised End: Eschatology in Theology and Literature Paul S. Fiddes
Powers and Submissions: Spirituality, Philosophy, and Gender Sarah Coakley
A Theology of Engagement Ian S. Markham
Alien Sex: The Body and Desire in Cinema and Theology Gerard Loughlin
Scripture and Metaphysics: Aquinas and the Renewal of Trinitarian Theology Matthew Levering
Faith and Freedom: An Interfaith Perspective David Burrell
Keeping God’s Silence Rachel Muers
Christ and Culture Graham Ward
Theology in the Public Square: Church, Academy, and Nation Gavin D’Costa
Rewritten Theology: Aquinas After His Readers Mark D. Jordan
© 2005 by Graham Ward
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The right of Graham Ward to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher.
First published 2005 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd
1 2005
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Ward, Graham, 1955–
Christ and culture / Graham Ward
p. cm.—(Challenges in contemporary theology)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4051-2140-8 (hardback : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 1-4051-2140-8 (hardback : alk. paper)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4051-2141-5 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 1-4051-2141-6 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Jesus Christ—Person and offices. 2. Christianity and culture.
3. Incarnation. I. Title. II. Series.
BT203 W37 2005
232—dc22
2005005884
A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
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to Rowan
These essays represent ten years of reflection upon the work of Christ and the operation of redemption. They also represent ten years of ongoing conversation with friends, students, colleagues and opponents. Drafts of some of them appeared in journals (particularly Literature and Theology and Modern Theology) or edited collections, such as Paul Heelas, Religion, Modernity and Postmodernity (Oxford: Blackwell, 1998) and Robert Gibbs and Elliot Wolfson, Suffering Religion (London: Routledge, 2002); the others were given as papers at conferences or colloquiums and have remained unpublished. Many people have been involved in commenting upon them, referring me to material I did not know, and pointing out inadequacies. I owe a debt of gratitude to all of these people, and I have learnt so much from others. I particularly wish to thank Marcella Althaus-Reid, Page du Bois, Michael Hoelzl, David Jasper, Todd Klutz, Gerard Loughlin, Walter Lowe, John Milbank, Dale Martin, Stephen Moore, Peter Oakes, Catherine Pickstock, and all those who belong to the Thursday night Krobar group, without whom life would be a lot less fun and intellectually challenging. Mention must also be made of my copy-editor, David Williams, at The Running Head, who saved me a great deal of embarrassment in his meticulous handling of the final draft. I dedicate this book to Rowan Williams, whose trust I have valued.