Colin E. Gunton was one of the most distinctive and influential voices in British theology. His works have been widely-acclaimed for their penetrating treatment of Christian doctrines (most notably that of the Trinity), and sharp criticism of modernity and its intellectual fallout. Throughout his many works, he maintains a commitment to classical Christian theology and a joyful enthusiasm for fruits of academic inquiry.
The Colin E. Gunton Theology Collection gathers much of this fruit together. Through these six volumes, Gunton’s keen intellect reflects upon such principal theological concerns as the Christian sacraments, Christology, faith, atonement, creation, and the church. The Trinity, as well, is given ample attention as Gunton meditates on these and other paramount issues in Christian doctrine.
Included also is The Theology of Reconciliation, a collection of essays edited by Gunton on the nature of reconciliation throughout several spheres of Christian life and belief. The volume features essays from leading theologians from America and Europe, and Gunton himself contributes the introduction and closing essay.
A brilliant and accessible introduction to Trinitarian thought. Colin Gunton argues that the theology of the Trinity has profound implications for all dimensions of human life. Central to his work is his argument that the doctrine should offer ways of articulating the being of God and of the world so that we may be better able to live before God and with each other.
One of the most perceptive and important theological books to appear in the last few years.
—Church of England Newspaper
Clear, enlightening, brilliant.
—Theological Studies
A very stimulating and suggestive account of the potential richness of Trinitarian theology.
—Church Times
The best example I know of creative retrieval of the classical Christian doctrine of God for the Christian community today. It is a major contribution to the contemporary Christian church’s theology of God.
—Anglican Theological Review
A fresh perspective on a classical theological topic.
—Theology Today
This carefully chosen collection assembles some thirty sermons by Colin Gunton with a foreword by Christoph Schwöbel. Together, they provide a broad overview of the Christian faith and reflections on the importance of theological preaching. The theological significance of these sermons will be of interest not only to preachers, professional and lay, but also to theologians and students.
Theology is not of much practical use if it cannot be preached and related to everyday life. Colin Gunton shows how this can be done. His language is simple, his ideas clearly expressed and his thought profound. These sermons relate belief to the local church: what better way to learn about the Christian faith?
—Cyril Rodd
The lynch-pin of worship in the Reformed churches is preaching. To succeed in its daunting task, this preaching must be both learned and evangelical… It is widely felt that the requisite craft and motivation are not now as widely distributed as they could be, or even perhaps as they once were. But when Colin Gunton preaches in the tiny church of Brentwood, one hears what the Reformed fathers had in mind. Read these sermons to find out how to do it.
—Robert W. Jenson, Center for Theological Inquiry, Princeton
This splendid collection of sermons by Colin Gunton… is all that one would expect from a master theologian: Biblically rooted, pastorally acute, humane, and above all alert and responsible to the judgment, consolation and joy of the gospel.
—John Webster, University of Aberdeen
In this volume, Gunton develops his conception of Christian Doctrine. Each essay addresses a topic of central importance in Trinitarian theology, ranging from the knowledge of God to the Christian sacraments. Together they reflect in particular on an increasing interest in the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and its bearing on the structure of the doctrine of the Trinity and its various sub-themes of Christology and soteriology etc.
This collection of essays edited by Colin Gunton provides a broad treatment of the theological doctrine of reconciliation. The papers are designed to present a broad treatment of the subject, including contributions on scripture, ethics and the church, as well as a bearing of other theological topics - Trinity, Christology - on the central question. There is an introduction by the editor, who also contributes a closing piece in which the central questions arising in the volume are addressed. The contributors include leading theologians from Europe and America: Christoph Schwöbel, Douglas A. Campbell, Douglas Farrow, Murray Rae, John Webster, Sue Patterson, and Robert W. Jensen.
In this volume, Colin Gunton discusses a variety of vital issues. These include the nature of dogma and Christian knowledge claims, holiness and virtue, salvation according to Calvin and the doctrine of election, and freedom in the gospel. Full of mature reflections on some of the central questions in theology, this book will be essential reading for all scholars and students of systematic theology and Christian doctrine - and of modern theology in general. An important collection, including many hitherto unpublished studies.
As we have come to expect from Gunton, this is academic theology that makes demands on the reader, but it is written from a clear commitment of faith and a pastoral heart, the warmth of which reaches us in every chapter.
—Church Times
Intellect and Action has something of the feel of a masterclass: following a well-versed thinker through his reflections on major issues as they were put by major thinkers.
—Heythrop Journal
Barth, Calvin, Coleridge, Dale, Forsyth, Irving, Jüngel, Luther, Newman, Niebuhr, Owen, Zizioulas - through this engagement with major theologians, Colin Gunton enables the reader to address some of the central questions of theology. The book begins by treating the nature of Christian theology and the doctrine of God, leading to discussions on Christology, pneumatology, atonement, creation and the church. Professor Gunton's study will be invaluable for all scholars and students of systematic theology and Christian doctrine - and of modern theology in general.
Colin E. Gunton (1941-2003) was professor of systematic theology at King's College, London from 1969 until his death. He was appointed professor of theology in 1984 and then served as Head of the Department of Theology & Religious Studies from 1993-96. In 1992 Gunton delivered the Bampton Lectures at the University of Oxford and in 1993 delivered the Warfield Lectures at Princeton Theological Seminary. Together with John Webster, Gunton co-founded the International Journal of Systematic Theology.
Gunton is often cited as one of the most important British theologians of his generation. Just before his death, he was awarded the earned D. D. by the University of Oxford, where he had taken his three previous degrees. Also just before his death, King's College had decided to make him a fellow of the college, its highest honor, which was then awarded posthumously.