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The Culture of Theology
John Webster, one of the world's leading systematic theologians, published extensively on the nature and practice of Christian theology. This work marked a turning point in Webster's theological development and is his most substantial statement on the task of theology. It shows why theology matters and why its pursuit is a demanding but exhilarating venture. Previously unavailable in book form, this magisterial statement, now edited and critically introduced for the first time, presents Webster's legendary lectures to a wider readership. It contains an extensive introductory essay by Ivor Davidson.
- GenresTheology
172 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2019
23 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
John B. Webster
47 books39 followersProfessor John B. Webster, MA, PhD, DD, FRSE was a notable contemporary British theologian of the Anglican communion writing in the area of systematic, historical and moral theology. He was educated at the independent co-educational Bradford Grammar School and at the University of Cambridge.
See also: John Webster
Image: Drawn by Rachel Nigh
See also: John Webster
Image: Drawn by Rachel Nigh
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 3, 2022
A collection of lectures that focuses on developing theological study in the University.
The final chapter on habits is my favorite.
The final chapter on habits is my favorite.
January 6, 2024
Um livro espetacular! Este é o segundo livro de John Webster publicado em português. Trata-se de uma série de 6 palestras sobre a cultura da teologia: o que é a prática teológica, o papel das Sagradas Escrituras, a relação da teologia com a tradição, o papel da teologia em um ambiente acadêmico, a contribuição da teologia enquanto crítica fomentada pela revelação divina e como o teólogo deve proceder, quais virtudes ele deve buscar cultivar, não apenas pelo exercício formativo, mas, acima de tudo, através da oração.
Definitivamente, não é um livro para quem está acostumado a ler bibotalks da vida. Aqui é sustança! Tutano puro!
Definitivamente, não é um livro para quem está acostumado a ler bibotalks da vida. Aqui é sustança! Tutano puro!
November 3, 2022
Wonderful read!
“At the heart of theological existence is calling upon God”
“At the heart of theological existence is calling upon God”
January 30, 2021
Bold, energetic, enjoyable. Three words that characterize all of his work.
December 31, 2024
“Christian faith, and therefore Christian theology, emerges out of the shock of the gospel” (43).
“…among the most important practices which need to be cultivated—especially at the present time—are textual practices, habits of reading. There can be few things more necessary for the renewal of Christian theology than the promotion of awed reading of classical Christian texts, scriptural and other…” (45).
“He, the risen Jesus, the new (counter-) creation, is the presence of the eschaton, and it is because of him that Christian culture is eschatological” (53).
“Reading the Bible is an incident in the baptismal process of mortification and vivification, of overthrow and re-establishment; anything less would not match up to the eschatological character of Christian reading” (74).
“Like Noah, Ezra, and Nehemiah, Christian theologians are to get on with the job without troubling themselves too much about the dissuaders. There is never a point at which Christian theology can absolve itself from the task of articulating its own world” (113).
“A theological school is a school for the formation of gospel character, a community of learners engaged in common enterprises which build up patterns of fellowship through which they become people with certain habits of life and mind-certain structured and not immediately reflective ways of reading the world and acting within it” (136).
“…among the most important practices which need to be cultivated—especially at the present time—are textual practices, habits of reading. There can be few things more necessary for the renewal of Christian theology than the promotion of awed reading of classical Christian texts, scriptural and other…” (45).
“He, the risen Jesus, the new (counter-) creation, is the presence of the eschaton, and it is because of him that Christian culture is eschatological” (53).
“Reading the Bible is an incident in the baptismal process of mortification and vivification, of overthrow and re-establishment; anything less would not match up to the eschatological character of Christian reading” (74).
“Like Noah, Ezra, and Nehemiah, Christian theologians are to get on with the job without troubling themselves too much about the dissuaders. There is never a point at which Christian theology can absolve itself from the task of articulating its own world” (113).
“A theological school is a school for the formation of gospel character, a community of learners engaged in common enterprises which build up patterns of fellowship through which they become people with certain habits of life and mind-certain structured and not immediately reflective ways of reading the world and acting within it” (136).
January 10, 2025
This is one of the most moving books I've ever read on theological formation. There's a lot to chew on here, from Webster's ecclesial hermeneutics, to his understanding of Christ's present-ness in this age, to the essentiality of virtue for truly Christian theology (i.e., theological formation is, in its true form, spiritual formation). There are a few aspects I'm not entirely certain I agree with or completely understand (e.g., his reliance on Barth as well as phenomenology--though he is critical of both at times). However, this is a profound work, and a must-read introduction to the particularly *Christian* study of theology.
August 4, 2022
I would say 4.5 stars, but I rounded up because I feel like the deficiency is in me, not Webster. This is a profound series of lectures on the task of theology that deserves reading and re-reading.
December 15, 2025
Absolutely and utterly incredible. Webster’s writing (or, in the case of this collection of lectures, speaking) consistently leads me to joyful worship and humble prayer—what all good theology should do. The final paragraph of the final lecture on page 147 is one of the best—and most clarifying—paragraphs I have ever read in my life.
October 26, 2022
Honestly, I felt bored by most of this...but then again the last essay/lecture on habits was one of the best things I have EVER read. So it gets 5 stars.
July 20, 2020
A solid book, originally delivered as the Burns Lectures at the University of Otago in 1998. Webster's major concerns here were the nature and tasks of theology, the relation of Christian theology to the university, and the demands of the gospel on the theologian.
Ivor Davidson's introduction is super helpful, not just for its summary and exposition of the lectures themselves but for its careful consideration of how Webster might have spoken differently about these topics later in his career. Although this was not a definitive statement--JBW himself considered the text "inchoate: self-conscious, over-invested in the language of cultural practices, not yet clear enough on a doctrine of creation or history or on the abundance of God's Godness as basis of God's outer works, and thus as beginning and end of everything the theologian ever is or does" (2)--it is nonetheless marked by all the features that make Webster's work so rich and enduring: joy, humility, precision, respect for his theological forebears and peers, clear statement and description of the questions that matter, deference to Scripture and the gospel, love for the church, and love for the church's Lord.
He argues that theology needs to be rooted in its proper culture and the practices of that culture--praise, prayer, repentance--and needs both roots ("the discipline of location") and astonishment, for the eschatological space of the church and theology is characterized by "a dialectic of homelessness and belonging" (56). He argues that theologians must speak and write using both a "rhetoric of effacement" (self-renunciation for the sake of attention to the Lord and his word) and a "rhetoric of edification," for "theology cannot be anything other than a commendation of the gospel" (79). He argues that the university benefits from theology and theology from the university when the university is--as it should be but rarely is--a place of "consent to conflict." He argues that the content of our faith enables self-critique: "Pertinent criticism will be criticism which takes the measure of a distinctive form of human life and culture by setting it in the light of appropriate standards ... In sum: the end of critical theological inquiry is to press the question of the fidelity of all forms of Christian apostolic life, though, and speech to the revelation of God which projects them into being" (125). This section could have used more on Scripture as the norma normans non normata. Perhaps this need drove Webster to his consideration of Holy Scripture in the years following these lectures. In the final lecture he argues that theologians must be marked by prayer, and then he commends three specific "virtues" (a term he appreciated but still resisted at this point) to the theologian or would-be theologian: fear of God, patient teachability, and freedom from self-preoccupation. Lord, grant all three to the doctors of your church!
"Good theological practice depends on good theologians" (45). "The gospel of the new world" (63). "Theology offers an orderly statement of an amazing reality" (93). "Revelation is nothing other than the history of God's covenant with humanity in its own intrinsic perspicuity" (121). Sanctification: "so all-consuming in its demands, so rewarding in ways that we can scarcely imagine" (132). "Prayer is that basic human action which corresponds to our incapacity, to our unsuitability for what is required of us, and therefore to the utter necessity of the merciful intervention of God. To pray is to be human in the theater of grace" (143-144). "Little progress is possible in theology unless one's will is broken ..." (145).
Ivor Davidson's introduction is super helpful, not just for its summary and exposition of the lectures themselves but for its careful consideration of how Webster might have spoken differently about these topics later in his career. Although this was not a definitive statement--JBW himself considered the text "inchoate: self-conscious, over-invested in the language of cultural practices, not yet clear enough on a doctrine of creation or history or on the abundance of God's Godness as basis of God's outer works, and thus as beginning and end of everything the theologian ever is or does" (2)--it is nonetheless marked by all the features that make Webster's work so rich and enduring: joy, humility, precision, respect for his theological forebears and peers, clear statement and description of the questions that matter, deference to Scripture and the gospel, love for the church, and love for the church's Lord.
He argues that theology needs to be rooted in its proper culture and the practices of that culture--praise, prayer, repentance--and needs both roots ("the discipline of location") and astonishment, for the eschatological space of the church and theology is characterized by "a dialectic of homelessness and belonging" (56). He argues that theologians must speak and write using both a "rhetoric of effacement" (self-renunciation for the sake of attention to the Lord and his word) and a "rhetoric of edification," for "theology cannot be anything other than a commendation of the gospel" (79). He argues that the university benefits from theology and theology from the university when the university is--as it should be but rarely is--a place of "consent to conflict." He argues that the content of our faith enables self-critique: "Pertinent criticism will be criticism which takes the measure of a distinctive form of human life and culture by setting it in the light of appropriate standards ... In sum: the end of critical theological inquiry is to press the question of the fidelity of all forms of Christian apostolic life, though, and speech to the revelation of God which projects them into being" (125). This section could have used more on Scripture as the norma normans non normata. Perhaps this need drove Webster to his consideration of Holy Scripture in the years following these lectures. In the final lecture he argues that theologians must be marked by prayer, and then he commends three specific "virtues" (a term he appreciated but still resisted at this point) to the theologian or would-be theologian: fear of God, patient teachability, and freedom from self-preoccupation. Lord, grant all three to the doctors of your church!
"Good theological practice depends on good theologians" (45). "The gospel of the new world" (63). "Theology offers an orderly statement of an amazing reality" (93). "Revelation is nothing other than the history of God's covenant with humanity in its own intrinsic perspicuity" (121). Sanctification: "so all-consuming in its demands, so rewarding in ways that we can scarcely imagine" (132). "Prayer is that basic human action which corresponds to our incapacity, to our unsuitability for what is required of us, and therefore to the utter necessity of the merciful intervention of God. To pray is to be human in the theater of grace" (143-144). "Little progress is possible in theology unless one's will is broken ..." (145).
October 27, 2022
In diesem Buch ist eine Reihe von sechs Vorlesungen von Webster aus dem Jahr 1998, die er in an der University of Otago, Dunedin in Neuseeland hielt. Webster verstand sich selber als ein Theologe der Theologen, weswegen dieses Buch gerade für TheologInnen empfehlenswert ist. Er bearbeitet sechs große Bereiche, die theologisches Arbeiten ausmachen: 1) Culture 2) Texts 3) Traditions 4) Conversations 5) Criticism und 6) Habits. Dabei malt er eine idealisierte Version aus, wie er sich TheologInnen vorstellt. Dabei hat diese utopische Sichtweise einen besonderen Zweck: „Utopias afford us a vantage point from which we can see our present as it is in its relativity and contingency and from which we can therefore begin to consider the possibility that things could be other than they are.“ (S.100)
Er verfolgt das Ziel, sich als TheologeIn die Frage zu stellen: Was bedeutet es Theologie zu betreiben, die aus dem "shock of the gospel" (S.43) entspringt. Damit spielt er auf die eschatologische Spannung an, die durch Jesu Christus in seinem Tod und Auferstehung gesetzt wird: Die Wiederherstellung aller Dinge. Wie betreibe ich also Theologie unter diesen Bedingungen? Dabei legt er wert darauf mutig ins Gespräch mit anderen Disziplinen an der Universität zu gehen, dezidiert theologisch zu argumentieren und auf den Schatz der Tradition der Kirche zurückzugreifen. Er endet die Reihe mit einer eindrücklichen Ausführung zum Charakter eines/r TheologIn. Es geht um die Frage: Wie kann ich eine theologische Seele kultivieren?
Die Lektüre bietet erfrischende Auseinandersetzung und Reflektion der eigenen Arbeit und fordert nochmals heraus, eigene Prioritäten und Motive neu zu überdenken.
Er verfolgt das Ziel, sich als TheologeIn die Frage zu stellen: Was bedeutet es Theologie zu betreiben, die aus dem "shock of the gospel" (S.43) entspringt. Damit spielt er auf die eschatologische Spannung an, die durch Jesu Christus in seinem Tod und Auferstehung gesetzt wird: Die Wiederherstellung aller Dinge. Wie betreibe ich also Theologie unter diesen Bedingungen? Dabei legt er wert darauf mutig ins Gespräch mit anderen Disziplinen an der Universität zu gehen, dezidiert theologisch zu argumentieren und auf den Schatz der Tradition der Kirche zurückzugreifen. Er endet die Reihe mit einer eindrücklichen Ausführung zum Charakter eines/r TheologIn. Es geht um die Frage: Wie kann ich eine theologische Seele kultivieren?
Die Lektüre bietet erfrischende Auseinandersetzung und Reflektion der eigenen Arbeit und fordert nochmals heraus, eigene Prioritäten und Motive neu zu überdenken.
June 16, 2025
John Webster’s essay “Habits: Cultivating the Theologian’s Soul” was excellent. I’m also currently moving through an online course at my own pace from Greystone Theological Institute on John Webster’s thought more widely, thankful for his legacy.
March 12, 2020
A great little book, representative of some of the best material Webster put forward.
January 6, 2022
Best book I've read in seminary so far.
February 6, 2021
Few 21st century theologians write with such clarity and humility, with such reverence and controlled passion as John Webster. Here he sketches in modest detail the nature and task of Christian theology (culture, texts, traditions, interdisciplinary conversations, criticism, and cultivation of habits). Given the subsequent developments in his own thinking, it’s fair to say these lectures are outstanding, yet incomplete. This is partially explained in the introduction (which takes up the first quarter of the book). For more detail see David’s review, with which I concur.
March 21, 2025
A helpful discussion on Christianity and culture as well as the importance of Scripture and tradition for a proper theological method. Webster provides helpful considerations for a theological method and responds to various modern and enlightenment views such as Kant.
I appreciated his emphasis on the last chapter that theologians should develop Christian habits as he argues that studying theology is also related to sanctification rather than being two disconnected areas of Christian doctrine vs Christian living.
I appreciated his emphasis on the last chapter that theologians should develop Christian habits as he argues that studying theology is also related to sanctification rather than being two disconnected areas of Christian doctrine vs Christian living.
January 5, 2022
This book stretched my thinking quite a bit. It was a wonderful read even though there is a lot in it I feel like I still don’t understand. I would have preferred to have read it over several weeks rather than a few days. I am looking forward to hearing a lecture/discussion on it next week.
(About halfway through the intro by a different author I decide to skip the intro - and return to it later - ant just jump into Webster’s writing.)
(About halfway through the intro by a different author I decide to skip the intro - and return to it later - ant just jump into Webster’s writing.)
April 22, 2020
Having been fortunate to study theology under John Webster's supervision, and in an environment fostered by his oversight, it's wonderful to have a book which describes it. Clear and prescient, this belongs with Holiness and Holy Scripture as the third in a small Websterian trilogy of magesterial, pastoral works of doctrine.
May 16, 2025
I struggle a lot when reading Webster, but it's definitely more a problem with me. I had the opportunity to study this for a seminary class which forced me to really internalize the core principles within this series of lectures. Absolutely worth reading through as a call for theologians to embody the doctrines that our field of study depends upon.
February 23, 2021
Six brilliant lectures.
Helpful intro, and lots of footnotes - this is an entry point into Webster, and some intersting stuff about the doing of theology. Ofthe 176 pages just over a hundred are actualy JW.
Helpful intro, and lots of footnotes - this is an entry point into Webster, and some intersting stuff about the doing of theology. Ofthe 176 pages just over a hundred are actualy JW.
January 16, 2025
More than just addressing issues in academia, this lecture series helpfully injects eschatological and apocalyptic language back into theology. By moving towards a “theological theology,” theology can be more robust personally and academically.
Read
December 11, 2019Read for a class at RTS.
January 11, 2023
Phenomenal.
April 30, 2024
3.5 stars
Really good in some areas, really dense in others. Webster is one of my favorites when I can make my way through his writing to understanding. But sometimes he’s unhelpful in his wording.
Really good in some areas, really dense in others. Webster is one of my favorites when I can make my way through his writing to understanding. But sometimes he’s unhelpful in his wording.
August 18, 2024
Challenging account of what theology can, perhaps should, be.
January 14, 2025
Webster is dense, but ch. 6 makes this book (originally a lecture series) worth the read for any Christian.
November 7, 2025
Too much here to leave a substantive review.
The most consequential book that I read in 2025. Heartily recommend.
The most consequential book that I read in 2025. Heartily recommend.
October 5, 2023
This is a tremendous little book that seeks to convey the appropriate posture for studying and doing Christian theology: a sense of reverent awe and joy-filled wonder at the amazing condescension of God in speaking to us and in revealing himself to us. A series of lectures given early during Webster’s teaching stint at Oxford, the immediate audience for these six messages were largely public university students and academics. As such, the writing is intellectually rigorous, though nonetheless approachable and full of tremendous godly warmth and happy piety. Ivor Davidson’s introductory chapter also serves fantastically to give readers (like me) who may have never heard of Webster a clear, accessible overview of his thought and an awareness of how these lectures fit within the broader scope of Webster’s work. I’m sure to read this volume again, and it’s whetted my appetite for reading more of Webster in the very near future. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews