In Face of Reality: The Constructive Theology of Gordon D. Kaufman

This study of the work of noted liberal theologian Gordon Kaufman tracks his career from his first published book Relativism Knowledge and Faith (1960) through his 2006 book Jesus and Creativity in light of recent conversations about divine action and modern scientific knowledge. James interprets Kaufmans mature position as a sophisticated reconstruction of divine activity that makes use of recent scientific theory and its naturalistic assumptions in order to revitalize a theocentric frame of reference rooted in classical theological tradition. Though there are costs to be paid in the construction of a theology of radical naturalism particularly with respect to the relation between divine action and the human good Kaufmans program offers a distinctive way forward. After developing a critical analysis of the limitations and possibilities of Kaufmans mature position James suggests that a christological reconsideration of the meaning of human flourishing offers the prospect of an even more radically naturalistic and theocentric theology. In this fine book James gives a sympathetic albeit critical analysis of Kaufmans constructive theology. James has thereby paid Kaufman the highest compliment any theologian can hope to receive namely to have his work taken with utter seriousness by a first-rate mind. This study is a model of intellectual clarity and incisive argument. -Paul E. Capetz Professor of Historical Theology United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities Thomas A. James is Assistant Professor of Theology at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond Virginia.