Purpose and Providence

Taking Soundings in Western Thought, Literature and Theology

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Inspiration & Meditation, Faith, Theology
Cover of the book Purpose and Providence by Revd Canon Vernon White, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Revd Canon Vernon White ISBN: 9780567663436
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: October 22, 2015
Imprint: T&T Clark Language: English
Author: Revd Canon Vernon White
ISBN: 9780567663436
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: October 22, 2015
Imprint: T&T Clark
Language: English

Do our lives have purpose? Despite the rise of secularism, we are still confronted by a sense of meaning and direction in the events of history and our own lives - something which is beyond us and not our own creation/imagination. Using the novels of Thomas Hardy and Julian Barnes, Vernon White tracks this belief in intellectual history and tests its resilience in modern literature. Both novelists portray modern and late-modern scenarios where, although the idea of an objective purpose has been deconstructed, it still haunts the protagonists.

Using literature as the starting point, the discussion moves on to an exploration of this belief in its theological form, through the doctrine of providence. White critically reviews the classic canon of providence and its pressure points - the problems in divine causality, the metaphysical assumptions required in its acceptance, and the contradictions to be found between God's purpose and the metanarratives of history. Using Barth and Frei, White suggests new ways of re-imagining divine providence to take account of these issues. The credibility of this re-defined providence is then tested against scripture, experience and praxis, with the result being an understanding of providence that does not rely on empirical progress.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Do our lives have purpose? Despite the rise of secularism, we are still confronted by a sense of meaning and direction in the events of history and our own lives - something which is beyond us and not our own creation/imagination. Using the novels of Thomas Hardy and Julian Barnes, Vernon White tracks this belief in intellectual history and tests its resilience in modern literature. Both novelists portray modern and late-modern scenarios where, although the idea of an objective purpose has been deconstructed, it still haunts the protagonists.

Using literature as the starting point, the discussion moves on to an exploration of this belief in its theological form, through the doctrine of providence. White critically reviews the classic canon of providence and its pressure points - the problems in divine causality, the metaphysical assumptions required in its acceptance, and the contradictions to be found between God's purpose and the metanarratives of history. Using Barth and Frei, White suggests new ways of re-imagining divine providence to take account of these issues. The credibility of this re-defined providence is then tested against scripture, experience and praxis, with the result being an understanding of providence that does not rely on empirical progress.

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book Translating the Poetry of the Holocaust by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book Doing Philosophy Comparatively by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book US World War II Amphibious Tactics by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book Education in the United Kingdom by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book Applied Theatre: Performing Health and Wellbeing by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book Rucksack Guide - Mountain Walking and Trekking by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book Hens Dancing by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book River Cottage Fruit Every Day! by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book Jesus and the Gospels by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book The Wombles to the Rescue by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book British Light Tanks 1927–45 by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book The Soviet T-54 Main Battle Tank by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book Leading on Pastoral Care by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book Marx by Revd Canon Vernon White
Cover of the book Ordoliberalism, Law and the Rule of Economics by Revd Canon Vernon White
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy