Church Society And University

In 1241/4 the theology masters at the university at Paris with their chancellor, Odo of Chateauroux, mandated by their bishop, William of Auvergne, met to condemn ten propositions against theological truth. This book represents the first comprehensive examination of what hitherto has been a largely ignored instrument in a crucial period of the university’s early maturation. However, the book’s ambition goes wider than this. The condemnation provides a window through which to view the wider doctrinal, intellectual, institutional and historical developments within the emerging university. These include the advent of the Dominicans and Franciscans at the university; and the developing focus of Paris theologians on using their learning for preaching at a time of a rapid and sometimes divergent development of doctrine and concerns over the newly-translated Aristotelian and associated Arab and Jewish works, heresy, the Greek Church and the Jews. The book compares the condemnation’s ten articles with the major statement of Catholic principles in the first canon of the Fourth Lateran Council, 1215, and assesses what conclusions can be drawn from their apparent correlation. Its examination of the condemnation in the context of the surrounding wider developments provides the basis for a much better understanding of the university and its theology faculty in the formative years between the grant of its statutes in 1215 and the better known period from the 1250s onwards, which included major figures such as Thomas Aquinas; and this, in turn, should lead to a better understanding of the later period itself and its doctrinal and institutional developments.

In 1241/4 the theology masters at the university at Paris with their chancellor, Odo of Chateauroux, mandated by their bishop, William of Auvergne, met to condemn ten propositions against theological truth. This book represents the first comprehensive examination of what hitherto has been a largely ignored instrument in a crucial period of the university's early maturation. However, the book's ambition goes wider than this. The condemnation provides a window through which to view the wider doctrinal, intellectual, institutional and historical developments within the emerging university. These include the advent of the Dominicans and Franciscans at the university; and the developing focus of Paris theologians on using their learning for preaching at a time of a rapid and sometimes divergent development of doctrine and concerns over the newly-translated Aristotelian and associated Arab and Jewish works, heresy, the Greek Church and the Jews. The book compares the condemnation's ten articles with the major statement of Catholic principles in the first canon of the Fourth Lateran Council, 1215, and assesses what conclusions can be drawn from their apparent correlation. Its examination of the condemnation in the context of the surrounding wider developments provides the basis for a much better understanding of the university and its theology faculty in the formative years between the grant of its statutes in 1215 and the better known period from the 1250s onwards, which included major figures such as Thomas Aquinas; and this, in turn, should lead to a better understanding of the later period itself and its doctrinal and institutional developments.

"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2) Renewing Minds serves as a clear introduction to the field of higher Christian education, focusing on the distinctive, important role of Christian-influenced learning—both in the Kingdom of God and in the academic world. Union University president David S. Dockery writes for administrators, trustees, church leaders, faculty, and staff who are just beginning their service or association with a Christ-centered institution, and also to students and parents who are considering a Christian college or university. Chapters include: "Loving God with Our Minds," "Renewing Minds, Serving Church and Society," "Shaping a Christian Worldview," "Reclaiming the Christian Intellectual Tradition," "Integrating Faith and Learning," "Envisioning a Shared Community of Tradition, Belonging, and Renewing Minds," "Establishing a Grace-Filled Academic Community," "Developing a Theology for Christian Higher Education," and "Thinking Globally about the Future." New source information and footnotes have been added to this second edition. While the chapters still reflect their original shape as formal addresses given in various settings, this revised and updated edition formats the book in a way that is more consistent with academic rather than popular expectations.

STAR - Studies in Theology and Religion 6 Theology between Church, University, and Society includes contributions to the international NOSTER conference “Theology between Church, University and Society,” held in the Netherlands in June 2000. In the current academic world theologians are often suspected of confessionalism, bias and narrow-mindedness. They in turn try to regain respect by producing specialist historical, empirical and analytical studies that are in line with other academic research. This retreat into neutrality renders them suspect in the eyes of their religious communities. Some churches react by reformulating their appointment policies, and become more strict in order to secure the full loyalty of the theological staff of their institutions. Therefore, many theologians feel a conflict between loyalty to their tradition and loyalty to the academic world. Student populations have also changed considerably during the last few decades. Quite a number of students have a lively interest in religion but no religious affiliation at all. University teachers have to adapt to these new audiences and faculties need to reorient themselves to reestablish their goals. This volume is concerned with these three challenges: academic, religious and societal. In all of the contributions the tension between descriptive research and normative theses or the relation between theology and society at large is discussed. Not only are there descriptions of the structures of theological institutions in the Netherlands, the USA, and South Africa but also of the relations between churches and theological institutions, and Vatican policy regarding theological faculties.

Boldly challenges Christians to rethink liberal assumptions about higher education, envisioning a church-centered education.

In the year 2000--and beyond--what will the church be like? What challenges will it face? Will the church be able to provide a strong sense of community? Will it be an ethical force in the lives of Americans? And what role will religion play in politics and in the marketplace? In Christianity in the 21st Century Robert Wuthnow reflects on these provocative questions as he seeks to identify changes that are taking place now in American society that churches must address if they are to remain vital in the future. He foresees five critical areas--institutional, ethical, doctrinal, political, and cultural--in which major challenges will arise, then meets the thorny issues head-on. How will churches' resource bases, their very identity, and their capacity to carry on their spiritual traditions be altered? till they continue to function as sources of caring in a needy world? What impact will the resurgence of fundamentalism have, and how will moderate and liberal congregations react? How will the political activities of churches influence their capacity to be heard in the public arena, and what will the impact be of pluralism and the prevailing materialism of our society? Drawing on a wide range of first-hand observations and research, Wuthnow demontrates that in each of these five areas people of faith have strong reasons to enter the next century with confidence in their religious institutions. But he also highlights worrisome signs, and points to specific areas that need to be addressed to ensure the continuing vitality for Christianity in America--not least among these are the rampant individualism that erodes spiritual communities and the religious infighting that diminishes the Christian sense of unity. The onset of a new millennium affords a historic opportunity to take stock of the present situation and to plan for the future--in the years ahead, much reflection is likely to occur about all our major institutions. Christianity in the 21st Century aims to contribute to those reflections by offering a sobering, realistic, and ultimately hopeful assessment of where the church is now, and where the church is headed.

Parishes of all denominations are in decline, shrinking, closing, dying. We know that there are increasing numbers, young and older, who are religious “nones” and “dones.” This book explores why the decline is taking place, why the distancing is going on. But it goes on to examine parishes from all over the country and from various church bodies that are resurrecting. The central theme of death and resurrection shapes the analysis of parishes covered. Parishes are resurrecting by reinventing their ministries, by repurposing their building to better serve their neighborhoods, thus replanting and reconnecting with them. All of this is the Spirit’s doing but through the community of sisters and brothers who make up each congregation of faith. Community as the core of church is the other reality shaping the book’s reflection. And community, a parish being with those around, living for more than its own survival are visions for going forward. Other aspects of congregational life are also examined, most importantly the pastors—how they serve when budgets shrink, how they are trained, how pastors act with the community not above it. No recipes are suggested for parish resurrection, but the stories of the parishes that have revived bear within numerous lessons for us in the future.