The Logic of Incarnation: James K. A. Smith's Critique of Postmodern Religion

With his Logic of Incarnation James K. A. Smith has provided a compelling critique of the universalizing tendencies in some strands of postmodern philosophy of religion. A truly postmodern account of religion must take seriously the preference for particularity first evidenced in the Christian account of the incarnation of God. Moving beyond the urge to universalize which characterizes modern thought Smith argues that it is only by taking seriously particular differences--historical religious and doctrinal--that we can be authentically religious and authentically postmodern. Smith remains hugely influential in both academic discourse and church movements. This book is the first organized attempt to bring both of these aspects of Smiths work into conversation with each other and with him. With articles from an internationally respected group of philosophers theologians pastors and laypeople the entire range of Smiths considerable influence is represented here. Discussing questions of embodiment eschatology inter-religious dialogue dogma and difference this book opens all the most relevant issues in postmodern religious life to a unique and penetrating critique.