Theology and the Enlightenment: A Critical Enquiry into Enlightenment Theology and Its Reception

by Paul Avis

Publisher:

T&T Clark

, 2022

Overview

Challenging the common assumption that the Enlightenment of the late seventeenth and the eighteenth centuries was an essentially secular, irreligious and atheistic movement, this book critiques this standard interpretation as based on a narrow view of Enlightenment sources.

Building on the work of revisionist historians, this volume takes the argument squarely into the theological domain, whether Anglican, Dissenting, Lutheran or deistic, whilst also noting that the Enlightenment deeply affected Roman Catholic and Jewish theologies. It challenges the stereotype of ’Enlightenment rationalism’, and the penultimate chapter brings out the biblical and ecclesial roots of the image of enlightenment and reclaims it for Christian faith.

Key Features

Challenges the prevailing theological interpretation of the Enlightenment as rationalistic and hostile to Christianity and proposes an alternative paradigm
Re-assesses the Anglican Enlightenment in England and the deistic Enlightenment in France, showing that Enlightenment themes were embedded in theology and lay at the heart of the established churches
Places the imperative of Enlightenment back at the heart of Christian theology and faith

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1:
Engaging the Enlightenment

Chapter 2:
Scapegoating the Enlightenment

Chapter 3:
A Virtuous Enlightenment

Chapter 4:
The Enlightenment and Religion

Chapter 5:
The Anglican Enlightenment

Chapter 6:
Enlightenment History and the Bible

Chapter 7:
The Enlightenment in the Frame of Christian Theology

Bibliography
Index

Praise for Theology and the Enlightenment

In this momentous work, the author gives a comprehensive and fresh examination of the Enlightenment’s philosophies, religious thought and theology. This book is an invaluable guide for navigating the critical debates on the Enlightenment. Anyone interested in understanding the theological dimension of the Enlightenment will definitely welcome this magnificent book.

This book makes a very significant contribution to recent re-working of the Enlightenment. Avis, with his customary detailed scholarship and careful articulation, has drawn out the issues and presents a provocative and detailed account of theology and the End the Enlightenment. An excellent piece of accessible scholarly writing.

Product Details

• Title: Theology and the Enlightenment: A Critical Enquiry into Enlightenment Theology and Its Reception
• Author: Paul Avis
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Pages: 416
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9780567705662, 9780567705648, 0567705641, 0567705668
• Resource ID: LLS:9780567705662
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-04-23T00:05:29Z

About Paul Avis

Paul Avis is an honorary assistant priest in the Church of England, serving in the Diocese of Exeter, and a brother to Elizabeth Baxter. He was in parish ministry for 23 years before becoming General Secretary of the Council for Christian Unity. He is currently an honorary professor in the University of Edinburgh School of Divinity. Paul is Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed journal Ecclesiology and Editor of the monograph series Anglican-Episcopal Theology and History (both published by Brill). He has also edited The Oxford Handbook of Ecclesiology. Paul’s recent publications include Jesus and the Church: The Foundation of the Church in the New Testament and Modern Theology (2021), Reconciling Theology (2022), Theology and the Enlightenment: A Critical Enquiry into Enlightenment Theology and its Reception (2022), and Revelation and the Word of God (2024). He is a long-serving consultant to Holy Rood House.