Reclaiming Narrative for Public TheologyThis book furthers the development of American public theology by arguing for the importance of narrative to a theological interpretation of the nation's social and political life. In contrast to both sectarian theologies that oppose a diverse public life and liberal theologies that have lost their distinctiveness, narrative public theology seeks an engaged yet critical role consistent with the separation of church and state and respectful of the multireligious character of the United States. Mary Doak argues for a public theology that focuses on the narrative imagination through which we envision our current circumstances and our hopes for the future. This theology sees both our national stories and our religious ones as resources that can contribute to a public and pluralistic conversation about the direction of society. Doak highlights arguments from Paul Ricoeur, Johann Baptist Metz, William Dean, Stanley Hauerwas, Franklin Gamwell, and Ronald Thiemann that can both contribute to and challenge a narrative public theology. She also proposes a model of public theology using narratives from Abraham Lincoln, Virgil Elizondo, and Delores Williams. |
Contents
| 1 | |
2 Public Theology in a Pluralistic Society | 27 |
3 E Pluribus Unum? National Narratives and the Recovery of Public Life | 71 |
4 Toward a Narrative Public Theology | 107 |
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Common terms and phrases
action African-American American Arendt argument basis Benjamin Valentin biblical challenge Christian beliefs Christian faith Christian narrative Christian story church civil religion commitment common comprehensive purpose concern context contribute critical critique culture David Tracy Dean Dean’s defend developed differences discourse discussion double narrative Elizondo emplotment engage especially ethical evaluation experiences further Gamwell Gamwell’s Gettysburg Address goal God’s purposes Hagar Hannah Arendt Hauerwas’s historical narratives hope human Ibid identity and purpose implications important inherently insights insists insofar interpretation involved Johann Baptist Metz John Courtney Murray justice liberal Lincoln ment Metz’s moral narration narratival narrative public theology narrative theology national narratives one’s oppression particular Paul Ricoeur perspective pluralistic public plurality political theology position possible praxis Press public debate public role public theology reject religious beliefs religious freedom Ricoeur secular seek shared social society specific Stanley Hauerwas sure temporal theologians Thiemann tion tive understanding University Virgil Elizondo Williams