A critical evaluation of the holiness of God in the theology of John Webster

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A critical evaluation of the holiness of God in the theology of John Webster

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title: A critical evaluation of the holiness of God in the theology of John Webster

creator: Collings, Luke

subject: Webster, John

subject: Holiness

description: Abstract reads : "In classical Reformed dogmatics the holiness of God has been understood as referring simultaneously to the ontological transcendence and moral purity of the divine being, locating it as an attribute inherently proper to the immanent Trinity. Current systematics, influenced by the contributions of Barth, have seen a reorientation of the attributes based on a greater emphasis on the economy, which has resulted in numerous proposed redefinitions of divine holiness related to the freedom of God in his acts of revelation and grace. The current project seeks to evaluate the theology of the holiness of God as presented by John Webster with principle reference to his monograph Holiness to determine whether his work on this subject adheres to and fulfils the vision for systematics that he presents in his broader work.Of particular interest is whether Webster’s presentation of divine holiness as a relational attribute that provides the nexus between the immanent and economic Trinity in “God the Holy One in our midst” may be regarded as coherent. Webster’s work will be examined to determine to what extend it exhibits both formal coherence (i.e. it corresponds with the form of systematics that he advocates) and material coherence (i.e. his particular conclusions are supported by the standards which he sets for himself).Chapter Two of this project presents an overview of Webster’s theological vision and key principles with reference to the place of systematic theology within the academy, the nature of the authority of scripture, and his preferred definition of systematics as redeemed thinking in the presence of God.Chapter three reviews Webster’s broader work on the doctrine of God against the background of the Reformed tradition and Webster’s engagement with the topic within the context of post-Barthian systematics.Chapter Four examines Webster’s presentation of a threefold formula for the holiness of God –in his triune identity, in his works, and as the holy one in our midst –as presented in the Holiness monograph, and concludes that while Webster’s presentation manifests formal coherence with his theological vision his attempt at an exegetical systematic is inconsistent at key points and thus has not been sufficiently demonstrated as meeting the requirements to be considered materially coherent. Chapter five continues the analysis of Webster’s presentation of the holiness of God as evidenced in the holiness of the church and individual Christian, similarly concluding that Webster’s theology appears formally coherent but cannot be conclusively deemed materially coherent owing to inconsistency in the exegetical warrant for several of Webster’s conclusions.Chapter six summarises the analysis of Webster’s work presented in the prior chapters and suggests avenues for future research in the theology of the divine attributes in general and the holiness of God and the church in particular."Chapter One: IntroductionChapter Two: The Theological Method of John WebsterChapter Three: John Webster on the Doctrine and Attributes of GodChapter Four: John Webster on the Holiness of GodChapter Five: John Webster on the Holiness of God in the Church and the Individual ChristianChapter Six: ConclusionThis thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree of Master of Theology, Pathway 2, Moore Theological College.

publisher: Moore Theological College

date: 2019-05-01

type: Text

language: English

rights: In copyright - educational use only.

rights: This item may be used for the purposes of research and study. Please acknowledge that it is held by Moore Theological College.

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