In Face of Mystery: A Constructive Theology

by Gordon D. Kaufman

In the symbolic world of Christianity, which millions have inhabited for centuries, is there room for modern and postmodern life―for today’s real world of cultural relativism and religious pluralism, of scientific knowledge and historical understanding? In Face of Mystery draws these two worlds together in a full-scale reconception of Christian theology.

Theology, Gordon Kaufman suggests, is an imaginative construction, the creation of a symbolic world for ordering life. As it has been constructed, so it can be reconstructed, and Kaufman does so in a way that clarifies both the historic roots and the present-day applications of Christian symbolism. He works with a “biohistorical” interpretation of human life, one that portrays humanity as a product of biological evolution and historical development. While taking account of cultural and religious pluralism, and while providing criteria for making comparative assessments and judgments, this interpretation of human historical existence also situates human beings―with their capacities for freedom and creativity―within the ecological wed that sustains all life. Human beings, Kaufman argues, have created religious symbolism as a necessary part of their attempt to orient themselves in the world. He shows how Christianity, as a system of symbols, has figured in this effort, and he carefully examines the separate elements of the Christian perspective―foremost among them, God. How does the concept of God, as an ultimate point of reference, enhance our understanding of today’s world; and how does the symbol “Christ” qualify this concept? The answers Kaufman proposes clarify the changing relevance of the symbolic world of Christianity.

Firmly embedded in physical and social science and in the tradition of American pragmatism, this thorough reconception of a Christian worldview offers insight into the most basic questions confronting humanity today―questions of value, meaning, and self-identity.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Nonfiction

528 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1993

About the author

Gordon D. Kaufman is Professor of Theology Emeritus at Harvard Divinity School. He is a past president of the American Academy of Religion and of the American Theological Society, as well as a member of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies. Professor Kaufman is author of numerous articles and reviews as well as 12 books, including In Face of Mystery: A Constructive Theology (Harvard University Press, 1993), which won the 1995 American Academy of Religion Award for "Excellence" in the "Constructive-Reflective" category of scholarly books on Religion; and two recent books, In the beginning . . . Creativity (Fortress Press, 2004) and Jesus and Creativity (Fortress Press, 2006). He has lectured widely, and taught at universities across the United States, and also in India, Japan, South Africa, England, and Hong Kong. Professor Kaufman has been an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church for 50 years, and has been the subject of two Festschriften.

Reviews

[Poetreehugger · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a New Year attempt at tying up loose ends, I had to make myself finish this book, as I kept picking up easier books to read, or more pleasant reads. This one was mental work, not a bad thing but a thing that takes a level of determination or commitment I don't usually need to apply to reading. I had difficulty getting my mind around the basic concept of deconstruction applied to theistic or Christic beliefs.
However, I did come away with quite a list of quotations and passages I wanted to make note of. Page 57, repentance means giving up our "certainty". Page 79-80, a (partial) definition of God, that which brings liberation, therefoe any devotion which oppresses humans is idolatrous, the god of tradition may be an idol to some. Page 345, "...a picture of the world is indispensable to our ability to act in the world..." (Does this explain the disorientation after a foundation-shaking life event, when we find ourselves questioning our view of the world?) Page 369, "to trust in God" is to "expect to be led or drawn beyond our own present insights."
So I'm glad I read this book, but I'm glad I finished it.

[Joseph Gascho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugely important book for me. Don't know if I agree but very important way of looking at "God"