Books by James Gordon
Papers by James Gordon
International Journal of Systematic Theology, 2014
Both Friedrich Schleiermacher and Karl Barth attempted to keep Christian dogmatic theology free f... more Both Friedrich Schleiermacher and Karl Barth attempted to keep Christian dogmatic theology free from abstract philosophical speculation. However, Barth thinks that Schleiermacher is guilty of the very speculative theology to which Schleiermacher is so averse. This article will defend the claim that Barth misreads Schleiermacher's Glaubenslehre, such that Schleiermacher's theological method and formulations are just as anti-speculative as Barth's. To defend this claim, this article examines what Barth considers to be speculative theology as well as his accusation that Schleiermacher is guilty of such speculative proposals. After considering Barth's challenges, this article defends Schleiermacher's methodology and theology as anti-speculative. Finally, several additional accusations against Schleiermacher (those of Bruce McCormack and Thomas Curran) are overcome.
The Heythrop Journal, Jul 10, 2013
This essay asks what Karl Barth meant by ‘speculation’ in volume two of the Church Dogmatics. Rat... more This essay asks what Karl Barth meant by ‘speculation’ in volume two of the Church Dogmatics. Rather than equating speculative theology with metaphysical theology in general, Barth views speculation not as a monolithic act but as a conglomeration of modes of theological speech that undermine God's revelation in Jesus Christ. This essay argues that Barth's views of speculation, rather than undercutting the use of metaphysics in theology, pave the way for a responsible Christian use of metaphysics by tying one's use of categories and concepts in theology closely to the text of Scripture.
Essays in Edited Volumes by James Gordon
Trinity without Tiers, eds. Michael Bird and Scott Harrower (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, Forthcoming).
This essay offers a response to a recent defense of “eternal functional subordinationism” (EFS) i... more This essay offers a response to a recent defense of “eternal functional subordinationism” (EFS) in the Trinity. It argues that the theological and philosophical attempts to salvage EFS fail and that the traditional concepts of scholastic Trinitarian theology––especially those of Thomas Aquinas––render EFS inherently problematic. Further, it shows how the Trinitarian issues central to EFS are bound up with the omnipresence and saving presence of the Triune God. As such, to affirm EFS is to compromise the Triune work of redemption.
in Christian Theologies of the Sacraments, ed. Justin Holcomb (New York, NY: New York University ... more in Christian Theologies of the Sacraments, ed. Justin Holcomb (New York, NY: New York University Press, Forthcoming).
in Christian Theologies of Salvation, ed. Justin Holcomb (New York, NY: New York University Press... more in Christian Theologies of Salvation, ed. Justin Holcomb (New York, NY: New York University Press, Forthcoming).
in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Daniel J. Treier (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Forthcom... more in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Daniel J. Treier (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Forthcoming).
Book Reviews by James Gordon
International Journal of Systematic Theology, 19.1
International Journal of Systematic Theology, Sep 25, 2014
myself might begin the book assuming that the phrase refers specifically to the trinitarian doctr... more myself might begin the book assuming that the phrase refers specifically to the trinitarian doctrine espoused by the Nicenes of the fourth century, in opposition to the faith of the various groups lumped together as 'Arians'. Such a reader might expect the book to focus much more explicitly and narrowly on the theology of the Nicene Creed than it actually does. In fact, this volume seems to use the phrase 'Nicene faith' as a synonym for 'great tradition'. The Nicene faith is the traditional understanding of the Trinity forged in the first several Christian centuries on the basis of Scripture. This broad faith has united most branches of Christendom throughout Christian history, and the book's raison d'être is to probe the relation of evangelicalism to that broad, unifying faith. The book could have benefited from a more direct statement that this is what it means by 'Nicene faith', but once one realizes how broadly the volume uses the phrase, the book has much to offer to its evangelical readers, most of whom have probably thought very little about the relation between the great tradition that stands -whether we realize it or notbetween the Bible we know so well and our own short histories.
myself might begin the book assuming that the phrase refers specifically to the trinitarian doctr... more myself might begin the book assuming that the phrase refers specifically to the trinitarian doctrine espoused by the Nicenes of the fourth century, in opposition to the faith of the various groups lumped together as 'Arians'. Such a reader might expect the book to focus much more explicitly and narrowly on the theology of the Nicene Creed than it actually does. In fact, this volume seems to use the phrase 'Nicene faith' as a synonym for 'great tradition'. The Nicene faith is the traditional understanding of the Trinity forged in the first several Christian centuries on the basis of Scripture. This broad faith has united most branches of Christendom throughout Christian history, and the book's raison d'être is to probe the relation of evangelicalism to that broad, unifying faith. The book could have benefited from a more direct statement that this is what it means by 'Nicene faith', but once one realizes how broadly the volume uses the phrase, the book has much to offer to its evangelical readers, most of whom have probably thought very little about the relation between the great tradition that stands -whether we realize it or notbetween the Bible we know so well and our own short histories.
International Journal of Systematic Theology, Apr 2013
In this case, the 'newness' of what is offered here might still be better served by being labelle... more In this case, the 'newness' of what is offered here might still be better served by being labelled something other than 'evangelical' -although again, it depends somewhat ironically on who is defining the term.
(Online publication February 09 2011)
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Books by James Gordon
Papers by James Gordon
Essays in Edited Volumes by James Gordon
Book Reviews by James Gordon