These are just a few glimpses of the overall conversation. I am looking forward to when everyone gets the book and adds their voice to the conversation.
"After reading this it has become even more obvious and clear that many
people today are struggling as they leave a foundationlist world. I
find myself going back and forth and am currently struggling through
the theological question of embrace and homosexuality. What I have
found is my own presuppositions and foundationalism has cornered my
thinking and not allowed me to step out of my own limited imagination.
Though I do not suppose this book will solve my problem as I grapple
with embracing homosexuals and a part of the Christian community and
the many webs of theological questions it brings up, I do think it
will help me develop a model on which I can work off of. I will
leave this pondering at that at this time so i do not bore you with my
struggles as a pastor trying to be embracive and biblical." (Steven White)
"Steven,
I see your question and it is a difficult one. I think there is a danger in declaring one’s self to be free from foundationalism and in the process just create another foundation and thus not enter foundationalism. However the word foundation and the idea of foundationalism are two different things. The foundationalism tends to create universals but a foundation is a starting point or a base. In this manner I think it is possible to move beyond the universals (foundationalism) while having a foundation but the difference comes in how you treat that starting point. I think there can be no perfect starting point, as we all come from different places (ideologies, education, culture...) which greatly shape all ‘starting points.’ What do you think?
Great question. "
Eric R.
"Here is a question. Can the ‘fragmentation’ of the theological spectrum actually be overcome/ resolved/ left-behind? I think it definitely is not resolved by sticking to the current argument. I picture it like this: imagine the a town council arguing over some issue and no one is willing to compromise. Now to resolve the issue what someone does is shout ‘Fire,’ then everyone has a common goal- get the heck out, the issues are dropped and the council members never return to the debate. Do I honestly think this can happen? No.
Here is a question: is fragmentation a bad thing? The theological differences that exist, should they be resolved or just left to themselves? " Eric R.
"Though I don´t have the book yet, I would like to respond to Eric´s excellent post which gets at what seems to me to be important "first questions." How do we do theology? From my LT influence I like their "hermeneutical circle." It doesn´t matter where one starts in this circle to develop "theologies" that are always changing. Human theologies are not authoritative as we say Scripture is at least in some way.
Biblical Study
Personal experience Theological reflection
Pastoral Action
So then, How do we use Scripture? Scripture is a divinely inspired collection of books that are designed to instruct, inspire, encourage and challenge us as we seek to follow the will of God in this world. It is one of a number of tools at our disposal to help us discern how we ought to act toward ourselves, our neighbor, our environment and our God. "
Swanyriver
"I think Eric poses a great question regarding hermeneutics and the how of doing it. Grentz & Franke( G&F) talk about the task of engaging Theology and the communitarian approach to doing so. I think we might be butting up against the distinction between Theology and Biblical Studies as unique disciplines and rules of engagement. Does the following disciplinary comparison stand ? --- Method is to Theology as Hermeneutics is to Biblical Studies" JP Anderson
