Living without a Why
Mysticism, Pluralism, and the Way of Grace
Published on 30. April 2015
136 pages
978-0-227-90454-1 (ISBN)
Description
In this book Paul O. Ingram adds his voice to a long list of writers seeking to relate Christian tradition to the hard realities of this post-Christian age of religious and secular pluralism. As a Lutheran, Ingram thinks grace flows over this universe like a waterfall. So he brings Christian mystical theology into a discussion of the meaning of grace.
Alfred North Whitehead's philosophical vision provides a language that serves as a hermeneutical bridge by which historians of religions can interpret the teachings and practices of religious Ways other than their own without falsification, and by which theologians can appropriate history-of-religions research as a means of helping Christians advance in their own faith journeys.
The purpose of the journey of faith is what Whitehead called "creative transformation". The contemporary theological tradition that has most systematically and coherently followed Whitehead's lead in its reflection on non-Christian Ways is process theology, which is perhaps the only liberal or progressive theological movement now active in the twenty-first century.
Alfred North Whitehead's philosophical vision provides a language that serves as a hermeneutical bridge by which historians of religions can interpret the teachings and practices of religious Ways other than their own without falsification, and by which theologians can appropriate history-of-religions research as a means of helping Christians advance in their own faith journeys.
The purpose of the journey of faith is what Whitehead called "creative transformation". The contemporary theological tradition that has most systematically and coherently followed Whitehead's lead in its reflection on non-Christian Ways is process theology, which is perhaps the only liberal or progressive theological movement now active in the twenty-first century.
Reviews / Votes
"The book is broad in scope (touching the realms of history of religions, theology, inter-religious dialogue and neuroscience), and written in a clear style clear which is very accessible to general readers or undergraduates keen to gain an introduction to the phenomenon of mysticism. Ingham writes with personal conviction, and his broad book is sure to inspire readers to probe in further depth the message of the mystics."-Declan Anthony Lawell, Theological Book Review, Vol. 27 No.1, 2016
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
File size
1,25 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-227-90454-1 (9780227904541)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
04/2015
James Clarke & Co Ltd
€43.52
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
Paul O. Ingram is Professor Emeritus of History of Religions at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. He is the author of 'Buddhist-Christian Dialogue in an Age of Science' (2008), 'The Process of Buddhist Christian Dialogue' (James Clarke & Co, 2011), 'Theological Reflections at the Boundaries' (2012), and 'Passing Over and Returning: A Pluralist Theology of Religions' (2013).
Content
Foreword by Marit Trelstad
Preface
1. Introduction
2. History of Religions: Methodology as Metaphor
3. The Difficult Path
4. What's in a Name?
5. Butterfly in a Mirror
6. A Theological Reflection on Mystical Experience
7. The Jesus Way of Living without a Why
8. Living without a Why: The Way of Grace
Bibliography
Scripture Index
Index of Names
Preface
1. Introduction
2. History of Religions: Methodology as Metaphor
3. The Difficult Path
4. What's in a Name?
5. Butterfly in a Mirror
6. A Theological Reflection on Mystical Experience
7. The Jesus Way of Living without a Why
8. Living without a Why: The Way of Grace
Bibliography
Scripture Index
Index of Names
