Reformed Catholicity: The Promise of Retrieval for Theology and Biblical Interpretation

by R. Michael Allen; Scott R. Swain

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2015

Overview

Can Christians and churches be both catholic and Reformed? Can they commit not only to the ultimate authority of apostolic Scripture but also to receiving the Bible within the context of the apostolic church? This volume argues that to be Reformed means to go deeper into true catholicity rather than away from it. Michael Allen and Scott Swain offer a manifesto for a catholic and Reformed approach to dogmatics that seeks theological renewal through retrieval of the rich resources of the historic Christian tradition. The authors survey recent approaches to theological retrieval and offer a renewed exploration of the doctrine of sola scriptura.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Presents a way for Christians to be both Reformed and catholic
• Argues that the Reformed faith, when properly understood, is truly apostolic
• Seeks theological renewal through retrieval of the rich resources of the historic Christian tradition

Contents

• Learning Theology in the School of Christ: The Principles of Theology and the Promise of Retrieval
• Retrieving Sola Scriptura, Part One: The Catholic Context of Sola Scriptura
• Retrieving Sola Scriptura, Part Two: Biblical Traditioning
• A Ruled Reading Reformed: The Role of the Church’s Confession in Biblical Interpretation
• In Defense of Proof Texting

Top Highlights

“Because the anointing of Christ dwells within the church, the church is the school of Christ. The Spirit of Christ teaches the church in sufficient and unmixed verity such that the church need not seek theological understanding from any other source or principle.” (Page 18)

“Reformed catholicity is a theological sensibility, not a system” (Page 12)

“The second charge brought against the defendant is that proof texting too easily suggests that doctrinal language is the biblical language with no sensitivity for the horizon of the interpreter or the hermeneutical task involved in working with the biblical language.” (Page 120)

“to be Reformed means to go deeper into true catholicity, not to move away from catholicity.” (Page 4)

“The rule of faith sets Scripture’s most recurring themes or ‘common places’ in their proper relations to one another and in relation to Scripture’s overarching purpose.” (Page 110)

Praise for the Print Edition

Intellectually alert and edifying Christian theology will be attentive to divine instruction in Scripture and to its reception, transmission, and explanation in the writings of the apostolic church in time. This fine book explains why, with clarity, grace, and dedication.

—John Webster, professor of divinity, St. Mary’s College, University of St. Andrews

Allen and Swain here blaze an old trail in helpful new ways, correcting misinterpretations of what it means to be Reformed, and, in the process, indicate a vital way forward for biblical interpretation and theology.

—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Drawing on recent historical scholarship and engaging with contemporary Christian thought across the confessional spectrum, this is a bracing manifesto that sets out a clear pathway for the future of Protestantism.

—Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Reformed Catholicity: The Promise of Retrieval for Theology and Biblical Interpretation
• Authors: R. Michael Allen, Scott R. Swain
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2015
• Logos Release Date: 2017
• Pages: 176
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Theology; Bible › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Church renewal
• ISBNs: 9781441220424, 9780801049798, 1441220429, 0801049792
• Resource ID: LLS:RFRMDCTHLCTY
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:42:15Z

About the Author

Michael Allen is associate professor of systematic theology at Knox Theological Seminary.

Scott R. Swain is assitant professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He is the author of Trinity, Revelation, and Reading: A Theological Introduction to the Bible and Its Interpretation.