A penetrating critique of Gunton's analysis of Augustine, illuminating Augustine's insight into the relationship between creation and redemption.The British systematic theologian Colin Gunton argued that Augustine bequeathed to the West a theological tradition with serious deficiencies. According to Gunton, Augustine’s particular construal of the doctrine of God led to fundamental errors and problems in grasping the relationship between creation and redemption, and in rightfully construing a truly Christian ontology. In Colin Gunton and the Failure of Augustine, Bradley G. Green’s close reading of Augustine challenges Gunton’s understanding.Gunton argued that Augustine’s supposed emphasis of the one over the many severed any meaningful link between creation and redemption, contra the theological insights of Irenaeus, and furthermore that because of Augustine’s supposed emphasis on the timeless essence of God at the expense of the three real persons, he failed to forge a truly Christian ontology, effectively losing the insights of the Cappadocian Fathers). For all of Gunton’s many insights, Green argues that on the contrary, Augustine did not sever the link between creation and redemption, but rather affirmed that the created order is a means of genuine knowledge of God, that the created order is indeed the only means by which redemption is accomplished, that the cross of Christ is the only means by which we can see God, and that the created order is fundamentally oriented toward a telos – redemption. Concerning ontology, Augustine’s teaching on the imago Dei, and the prominent role that relationship plays in Augustine’s doctrines of man and God, provides the kind of relational Christian ontology that Gunton sought. In short, Green argues, Augustine could have provided Gunton key theological resources in countering the modernity he so rightfully challenged.

History demonstrates that wherever the cross is planted, the academy follows. But history alone cannot demonstrate why this is—and must be—the case. Green engages theology and philosophy to prove that the Christian vision of God, mankind, and the world provides the necessary precondition for and enduring foundation of meaningful intellectual life.The Gospel and the Mind, deeply rooted in Augustinian and Reformed thought, shows that core principles of the West’s Christian inheritance—such as creation and the importance of history, the centrality of a telos to all things, and the logos and the value of words—form the matrix of any promising and sustainable intellectual life.More than a lament of the state of the evangelical mind or even an argument for the primacy of a Christian worldview, The Gospel and the Mind is a paradigm-shifting declaration that the life of the mind starts at the cross.

An In-Depth Look at the History and Philosophy of Critical Theory from a Gospel PerspectiveCritical theory was born over a century ago. Created to foster social transformation, this emerging theory would soon influence universities, politics, and pop culture across the globe and spark tense debates between groups across the sociopolitical spectrum. But what exactly lies at the heart of critical theory, and how should Christians engage with this controversial perspective? To answer these questions, we must examine the history, philosophy, and ideas of the thinkers who shaped its development. This book offers a balanced and thoughtful analysis of the core principles and implications of critical theory, as well as the published works of its key philosophers and their views concerning biblical themes, including creation and reality; sin and the human dilemma; and redemption, history, and eschatology. Through his concise Christian perspective, Bradley G. Green helps readers articulate what critical theory is—a view of human nature in opposition to the gospel narrative. Analytical: Uses a dispassionate tone to examine the history and key components of critical theory Examines Critical Theory’s Major Thinkers: Walter Benjamin, Max Horkheimer, Herbert Marcuse, and Theodor AdornoChristian Perspective: Examines topics including creation and reality; sin and the human dilemma; and redemption, history, and eschatologyThoughtful: Perfect for Christian college students, pastors, and readers interested in other works on critical theory

Arguably the most significant theologian in Church history, Augustine is nonetheless a figure of dispute in protestant circles, distrusted for his views on ecclesiology, amongst other subjects. Yet his love for the Lord and articulation of the doctrine of grace ensure that his writings remain relevant and inspiring to many Christians today.For anyone looking to begin to understand this theological giant, Bradley Green’s biography offers a clear insight into Augustine’s life and beliefs. In the words of the patristic himself, ‘Take and Read’.

Colin Gunton argued that Augustine bequeathed to the West a theological tradition with serious deficiencies. According to Gunton, Augustine''s particular construal of the doctrine of God led to fundamental errors and problems in grasping the relationship between creation and redemption, and in rightfully construing a truly Christian ontology. Bradley G. Green''s close reading of Augustine challenges Gunton''s understanding.Gunton argued that Augustine''s supposed emphasis of the one over the many severed any meaningful link between creation and redemption (contra the theological insights of Irenaeus); and that because of Augustine''s supposed emphasis on the timeless essence of God at the expense of the three real persons, Augustine failed to forge a truly Christian ontology (effectively losing the insights of the Cappadocian Fathers). For all of Gunton''s insights (and there are many), Green argues that Augustine did not sever the link between creation and redemption, but rather affirmed that the created order is a means of genuine knowledge of God, the created order is indeed the only means by which redemption is accomplished, the cross of Christ is the only means by which we can see God, and the created order is fundamentally oriented toward a telos-- redemption. Concerning ontology, Augustine''s teaching on the imago Dei, and the prominent role that relationship plays in Augustine''s doctrines of man and God, provides the kind of relational Christian ontology that Gunton sought. In short, Green argues, Augustine could have provided Gunton key theological resources in countering the modernity he so rightfully challenged.

A key issue in Christianity is the nature of works or obedience or faithfulness in the Christian life. While evangelicals can generally agree that one enters into a covenant relationship with God by grace (even solely by grace) apart from works, there is often much more disagreement over how to construe the nature of works, or obedience, inside this covenantal relationship.From a close study of key Old and New Testament texts, Bradley Green shows that in the new covenant, works or obedience will be a God-elicited, real and necessary part of Christian life.

A penetrating critique of Gunton's analysis of Augustine, illuminating Augustine's insight into the relationship between creation and redemption.The British systematic theologian Colin Gunton argued that Augustine bequeathed to the West a theological tradition with serious deficiencies. According to Gunton, Augustine’s particular construal of the doctrine of God led to fundamental errors and problems in grasping the relationship between creation and redemption, and in rightfully construing a truly Christian ontology. In Colin Gunton and the Failure of Augustine, Bradley G. Green’s close reading of Augustine challenges Gunton’s understanding.Gunton argued that Augustine’s supposed emphasis of the one over the many severed any meaningful link between creation and redemption, contra the theological insights of Irenaeus, and furthermore that because of Augustine’s supposed emphasis on the timeless essence of God at the expense of the three real persons, he failed to forge a truly Christian ontology, effectively losing the insights of the Cappadocian Fathers). For all of Gunton’s many insights, Green argues that on the contrary, Augustine did not sever the link between creation and redemption, but rather affirmed that the created order is a means of genuine knowledge of God, that the created order is indeed the only means by which redemption is accomplished, that the cross of Christ is the only means by which we can see God, and that the created order is fundamentally oriented toward a telos – redemption. Concerning ontology, Augustine’s teaching on the imago Dei, and the prominent role that relationship plays in Augustine’s doctrines of man and God, provides the kind of relational Christian ontology that Gunton sought. In short, Green argues, Augustine could have provided Gunton key theological resources in countering the modernity he so rightfully challenged.

History demonstrates that wherever the cross is planted, the academy follows. But history alone cannot demonstrate why this is—and must be—the case. Green engages theology and philosophy to prove that the Christian vision of God, mankind, and the world provides the necessary precondition for and enduring foundation of meaningful intellectual life.The Gospel and the Mind, deeply rooted in Augustinian and Reformed thought, shows that core principles of the West’s Christian inheritance—such as creation and the importance of history, the centrality of a telos to all things, and the logos and the value of words—form the matrix of any promising and sustainable intellectual life.More than a lament of the state of the evangelical mind or even an argument for the primacy of a Christian worldview, The Gospel and the Mind is a paradigm-shifting declaration that the life of the mind starts at the cross.

An In-Depth Look at the History and Philosophy of Critical Theory from a Gospel PerspectiveCritical theory was born over a century ago. Created to foster social transformation, this emerging theory would soon influence universities, politics, and pop culture across the globe and spark tense debates between groups across the sociopolitical spectrum. But what exactly lies at the heart of critical theory, and how should Christians engage with this controversial perspective? To answer these questions, we must examine the history, philosophy, and ideas of the thinkers who shaped its development. This book offers a balanced and thoughtful analysis of the core principles and implications of critical theory, as well as the published works of its key philosophers and their views concerning biblical themes, including creation and reality; sin and the human dilemma; and redemption, history, and eschatology. Through his concise Christian perspective, Bradley G. Green helps readers articulate what critical theory is—a view of human nature in opposition to the gospel narrative. Analytical: Uses a dispassionate tone to examine the history and key components of critical theory Examines Critical Theory’s Major Thinkers: Walter Benjamin, Max Horkheimer, Herbert Marcuse, and Theodor AdornoChristian Perspective: Examines topics including creation and reality; sin and the human dilemma; and redemption, history, and eschatologyThoughtful: Perfect for Christian college students, pastors, and readers interested in other works on critical theory

Arguably the most significant theologian in Church history, Augustine is nonetheless a figure of dispute in protestant circles, distrusted for his views on ecclesiology, amongst other subjects. Yet his love for the Lord and articulation of the doctrine of grace ensure that his writings remain relevant and inspiring to many Christians today.For anyone looking to begin to understand this theological giant, Bradley Green’s biography offers a clear insight into Augustine’s life and beliefs. In the words of the patristic himself, ‘Take and Read’.

Colin Gunton argued that Augustine bequeathed to the West a theological tradition with serious deficiencies. According to Gunton, Augustine''s particular construal of the doctrine of God led to fundamental errors and problems in grasping the relationship between creation and redemption, and in rightfully construing a truly Christian ontology. Bradley G. Green''s close reading of Augustine challenges Gunton''s understanding.Gunton argued that Augustine''s supposed emphasis of the one over the many severed any meaningful link between creation and redemption (contra the theological insights of Irenaeus); and that because of Augustine''s supposed emphasis on the timeless essence of God at the expense of the three real persons, Augustine failed to forge a truly Christian ontology (effectively losing the insights of the Cappadocian Fathers). For all of Gunton''s insights (and there are many), Green argues that Augustine did not sever the link between creation and redemption, but rather affirmed that the created order is a means of genuine knowledge of God, the created order is indeed the only means by which redemption is accomplished, the cross of Christ is the only means by which we can see God, and the created order is fundamentally oriented toward a telos-- redemption. Concerning ontology, Augustine''s teaching on the imago Dei, and the prominent role that relationship plays in Augustine''s doctrines of man and God, provides the kind of relational Christian ontology that Gunton sought. In short, Green argues, Augustine could have provided Gunton key theological resources in countering the modernity he so rightfully challenged.

A key issue in Christianity is the nature of works or obedience or faithfulness in the Christian life. While evangelicals can generally agree that one enters into a covenant relationship with God by grace (even solely by grace) apart from works, there is often much more disagreement over how to construe the nature of works, or obedience, inside this covenantal relationship.From a close study of key Old and New Testament texts, Bradley Green shows that in the new covenant, works or obedience will be a God-elicited, real and necessary part of Christian life.