Comments on Faith and Theology: New Rowan Williams book: coming soon

Ben, as I mentioned in an earlier comment, I'm...

2012-01-30T09:53:23.680-06:00

Ben, as I mentioned in an earlier comment, I'm about to write a master thesis on Rowan Williams and spirituality from August on. As a preparation for the project, I'm currently reading about the Anglican Church, both historically and theologically. But these books aren't about Williams. What kind of literature would you recommend as reading material in my project besides Williams' own books? I guess I'm asking for literature which has been formative for Williams' own theology/spirituality. Best regards, Andreas

No doubt the book will far exceed its cover! Could...

2011-12-16T09:59:48.479-06:00

No doubt the book will far exceed its cover! Could the good folks at T&T not afford an illustrator?!

Looking forward to this read.

stonehenge, lad! aye the Augustinian-Hegelian Tor...

2011-12-14T10:24:27.127-06:00

stonehenge, lad!

aye the Augustinian-Hegelian Tory-Druid Khrust

Congratulations, Ben! I can't wait to read it....

2011-12-11T21:48:52.095-06:00

Congratulations, Ben! I can't wait to read it. As a still total noob in theology, Williams stands as a sentinel at the gate to my mind. Anything that can help situate his work historically for me is very much appreciated. I must say, though, that 'On Christian Theology' was one of the first books of his I read and I found it very enjoyable. That said, I agree that the icon books and Tokens of Trust are much better first reads.

Depending on how long you are in town and if you a...

2011-12-09T17:20:22.541-06:00

Depending on how long you are in town and if you are looking for conversation. It would be a pleasure to take you to lunch sometime. I teach Theology and Ethics at Azusa Pacific University (20 minutes away from Fuller) and studied at Fuller and the University of Aberdeen. My e-mail is blugioyo@apu.edu

Brian Lugioyo

Hi Andreas — sounds like a good topic. I don't...

2011-12-08T20:52:03.947-06:00

Hi Andreas — sounds like a good topic. I don't have any specific advice, though you might consider focusing on one particular influence on Wms' theology of spirituality — e.g. Augustine, the ascetic tradition, Russian Orthodoxy, Thomas Merton...

Ben, I am going to write my master thesis in theol...

2011-12-08T16:41:23.441-06:00

Ben, I am going to write my master thesis in theology next fall, and I am thinking about studying Rowan Williams and his view on spirituality. Do you have any advice concerning particular areas within this major subject?

Even worse: if Aquinas is the Trinity, then there&...

2011-12-07T13:17:54.245-06:00

Even worse: if Aquinas is the Trinity, then there's no vocabulary left for describing Augustine!

Hi Plessey. Mike Higton's book is excellent: I...

2011-12-07T13:16:46.978-06:00

Hi Plessey. Mike Higton's book is excellent: I highly recommend it. One difference is that he provides a thematic study of Williams' thought, while I try to give a chronological account of the way Wms' work has developed since the 60s, as well as exploring some of his main sources and influences.

Nope, no lectures — I'll just be quietly readi...

2011-12-07T12:13:21.784-06:00

Nope, no lectures — I'll just be quietly reading and writing.

Congrats Ben. Williams was certainly pivotal in m...

2011-12-07T08:53:46.329-06:00

Congrats Ben. Williams was certainly pivotal in my own theological formation.

Do you have any engagements in the Great Northwest...

2011-12-06T21:48:34.102-06:00

Do you have any engagements in the Great Northwest? Seattle, Portland, or Vancouver? Lord knows we need some Gospel up here! obliged.

Ben, Will you be giving any lectures at Fuller?

2011-12-06T13:34:53.895-06:00

Ben, Will you be giving any lectures at Fuller?

Thomas Aquinas the Trinity? I know people h...

2011-12-06T03:14:10.117-06:00

Thomas Aquinas the Trinity? I know people hold Thomas in high regard, but this seems to be elevating him above his station...

Seriously, congrats on the book, and have a great time in the US. But you know, the UK could do with a Myerslian visit.

Look forward to reading this, Ben!

2011-12-05T21:24:10.888-06:00

Look forward to reading this, Ben!

Thanks for the pointers - now I remember my experi...

2011-12-05T14:29:01.531-06:00

Thanks for the pointers - now I remember my experience reading On Christian Theology better. What frustrated me was that I did not find the stuff that attracted me in other short/popular texts and other people's engagement with him.

Patrik, your experience of the frustration of '...

2011-12-05T13:38:06.054-06:00

Patrik, your experience of the frustration of 'finding it hard to get a sense of the shape of the whole thing' might not be accidental. Williams eschews systematic closure, and there is a deliberate polyphony to his theologising. You might have noticed that occasional essays are his favoured mode of writing (a habit perhaps picked up from MacKinnon). You might also have noticed that even the same terms can be employed in divergent ways in different essays. This, in its own way, is something of a theological move - a form of hesitation appropriate to the subject of theology.

However, if you stick with him, you will find what I think is a coherent vision... You will find emerging themes and recurring patterns, forms and motifs. But you will find that vision expressed in different theological 'voices' and cadences depending on the occasion.

For my own opinion on where to start - if you've read On Christian Theology and found it frustrating, you might want to try Tokens of Trust for a more 'popular' explication of Williams' theology. I also think his book on Dostoevsky is theological masterpiece disguised as a book about literature.

Any one who read the book on Rowan Williams, "...

2011-12-05T11:07:21.637-06:00

Any one who read the book on Rowan Williams, "Difficult Gospel" by Mike Higton can point out what the differences are between the books?

I have read "On Christian Theology" - it...

2011-12-05T10:44:29.806-06:00

I have read "On Christian Theology" - it was a while ago, but I think my frustration started right there. I remember liking some essays, but finding it hard to get a sense of the shape of the whole thing.

I agree with Lewis Ayres - "the complex paths...

2011-12-05T09:00:47.715-06:00

I agree with Lewis Ayres - "the complex paths of Williams’ theology are introduced with clarity and verve." Scholars in general, and readers of F&T in particular, are going to love this book. Congratulations on a project well done.

Congratulations, Ben. I saw the book on the table...

2011-12-05T08:02:54.260-06:00

Congratulations, Ben. I saw the book on the table at the AAR---really looking forward to reading it.

Ben--Congratulations on the new book! I am lookin...

2011-12-05T07:49:28.681-06:00

Ben--Congratulations on the new book! I am looking forward it. I continue to find Wiliams fascinating and illuminating. With frequency I often select a short passage of Williams (drawn from a wide range of his writings) for silent reflection as part of prayers with my seminary classes.

Patrik--"On Christian Theology," a collection of essays, offers an overview of sorts of Wililams' theology. Personally, I would begin with Williams' two books on praying with icons--"Ponder These Things" and "The Dwelling of the Light." In both small books the reader encounters the rich perichoretic character of theology and spirituality in Williams' thought; plus, you are "introduced" to the influence of Orthodox thought on Williams' thought.

I find reading Williams frustrating - I happened t...

2011-12-05T07:31:44.298-06:00

I find reading Williams frustrating - I happened to write about it a second ago - what are the "essential" texts one should read?