Rhyming Hope and History

Synopsis: The subject of "culture" has provided theologians with a whole new realm of exploration. By the turn of the twentieth century and the beginning of this new milennium the subject of culture had presented itself to theologians and church leaders for vital consideration. As one of the world's leading theologians, Robert Jenson's eminent career has coincided with the pre-eminence of culture in theological and churchly discussion. Having described himself as a theologian of culture in his earliest works, culture continually informs Jenson's systematic theology, which in turn works its way out in countless cultural forms. In Rhyming Hope and History we explore the philiosophical and theological influences of Jenson's work and outline their vast and varied applications to the world of culture and the life of the church. For Jenson, the church is the cultural embodiment of the risen Christ in the fallen reality of our world. In a series of conversations between Jenson and leading thinkers, including G.W.F. Hegel, Jonathan Edwards, Wittgenstein, Richard H. Niebuhr, Kathryn Tanner, Paul Tillich, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Augustine, and Jeremy Begbie, we explore this creative and courageous proposal. Endorsements: "Robert Jenson is one of the most creative and interesting theologians to emerge in America in recent generations. In this fine study, Russell Rook offers important insights into his theology, and in particular, highlights the constant dialogue with American--and broader Western--culture that has been such a significant part of Jenson's project. Rook writes with verve and with an easy mastery of the subject; this is a very good book on an important figure." --Stephen R. Holmes Senior Lecturer in Theology The University of St. Andrews "Robert Jenson is a towering figure in contemporary theology, one who has made a signal contribution to understanding culture theologically rather than letting theology be determined by the cultural shibboleths of the day. Russell Rook provides the first systematic analysis of Jenson's work and in the process makes an astute, lucidly written, and doctrinally rich contribution to broader debates about what it means to be the church in our Christ haunted and Christ forgetting cultural context." --Luke Bretherton Reader in Theology and Politics King's College London Author Biography: Russell D. Rook is a member of The Salvation Army and was formerly the chair of Spring Harvest, one of Europe's largest Christian conventions. A writer and teacher, Russell's publications include: What Are We Waiting For? Reflections on Eschatology and Contemporary Culture (with Stephen Holmes) and Living Out Loud: Conversations in Virtue, Ethics and Evangelicalism with Stanley Hauerwas and Friends.