Dear I.B.Tauris publishers
You have sent me your catalogue, offering amongst many things, ‘A Modern Introduction to Theology: New Questions for Old Beliefs’. Your blurb says:
Most existing undergraduate textbooks begin from basically traditional positions on the bible, doctrine, authority, interpretation, and God. It is very difficult to find a satisfactory survey of what theology is about, and how it has developed historically, unless one shares the assumption that these traditional positions are normative. It is hardly surprising that people many people from outside the theological guild, or the Church, dismiss theology as anachronistic and self-absorbed discipline of little relevance to modern life. What makes this book singularly important and uniquely different is that it has a completely new starting point. The author contends that traditional Christian theology must extensively overhaul many of its theses because of a multitude of modern social, historical, and intellectual revolutions. … A Modern Introduction to Theology moves a tired and increasing incoherent discipline in genuinely fresh and exciting directions.
Incoherent? There is certainly something incoherent here, most obviously your surprise that theology textbooks talk about God. Your blurb is surprised that ‘most existing undergraduate textbooks begin from basically traditional positions on the bible, doctrine, authority, interpretation, and God.’ If textbooks begin from basically new positions, they simply cannot be textbooks. If you find theology ‘anachronistic’ – we hear your hostility – do not read it or publish it. Publish something else that you do enjoy instead.
These traditional positions are normative – Thanks be to God. That means that they are binding on us, so you and I cannot change them. That is what is meant by dogma, the summaries of the teaching of the Church, repeated in the creeds. To be surprised that traditional positions are normative is as vain at protesting that we are ‘still’ playing football according to the old dogma of two teams, two goals, one football.
If you find it unacceptable that Christian dogma does not change, you are free to give up your interest in Christianity. Why not find another religion? Can’t find one to your taste? Make one up. But when you do, don’t call it Christianity.
