Rhetorical Word

'Theo Hobson presents a vigorous defence of Protestantism, and in its light generates powerful criticisms of almost every recent attempt to make theology comfortable in the modern academy... a fine piece of exposition and criticism... No complaints should be made about his plea for an assertive theology, theologians should surely be welcome in any healthy academic institution for the sake of what they distinctively have to offer. The problem is their loss of nerve, and this book has much to offer in remedying that, particularly in its salutary concern with truth.' Times Literary Supplement 'Ashgate is publishing some of the best academic theology right now, and this book deserves to be at the top of their very impressive list.' Reviews in Religion and Theology 'This is an unusual book of striking originality and vigour... power, authority, truth and violence are the big themes discussed by Hobson in an ambitious excursion through the tradition... This is a book with verbal punches and frequent challenges to theological complacency and I ams ure it will offend many. But it is about time theology stopped being polite, urbane and written to satisfy the demands of the educational bureaucrats - I for one am glad that this brilliant book made me feel uncomfortable...' Reviews in Religion and Theology 'This is an unusual book of striking originality and vigour.' Modern Believing 'The work [...] should provoke intense debate over the difficult question of the locus of authority in Protestant theology.' Religious Studies Review

• Contents: Introduction: Rhetorical Origins: The rhetorical gospel (I): Biblical and anthropological roots; The rhetorical gospel (II): theoretical questions; Before Protestantism: Augustine; Protestantism: 'Non vi sed verbo': Luther and the rhetorical militancy of faith; Protestant poetics (I): the 17th century; Kierkegaard and the crisis of authority; Protestant poetics (II): Romanticism and after; The rhetorical theology of Karl Barth; Barth and Nietzsche: prophetic rhetoric regained; After Barth; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.