Enlightenment & Alienation

IN THIS CRITIQUE OF THE LEGACY OF THE Enlightenment for Christian theology, Colin Gunton focuses on the concepts of truth, freedom, and faith. He argues that in these areas the emphasis of Enlightenment thought on knowledge which is observable and objective has alienated us from understanding or believing in whatever cannot be seen or scientifically deduced, and cut us off from reality, form ourselves, and form God. But the trinitarian structure of Christian belief contains within itself the resources to overcome this alienation and achieve an integrated perspective. Gunton finds in the doctrine of the Trinity–especially in Jesus Christ, in whom the mysterious and divine joined the physical and observable–a way to give validity both to scientific frames of thought and to religious belief. Absorbing and illuminating. . . . This book] deals in lucid fashion with the most fundamental issues which haunt us as human beings who are the heirs. . . of that movement which those who first participated in it called 'The Enlightenment'. . . . Colin Gunton gives us grounds for. . . the confidence that there can be enlightenment without the alienation and the skepticism which so easily tumbles into nihilism and despair. For this I am grateful. –Lesslie Newbigin from the forward Colin E. Gunton (1941-2003) was Professor of Christian doctrine at King's College London. He authored twelve books including 'The Christian Faith', 'Christ and Creation', and 'The Triune Creator'. He was also Associate Minister of the United Reformed Church at Brentwood in Essex for 28 years