The Oxford Handbook of the Epistemology of Theology

The Oxford Handbook of the Epistemology of Theology brings together leading scholars in the fields of theology and epistemology to examine and articulate what can be categorized as appropriate epistemic evaluation in theology. Part one focuses on some of the epistemic concepts that have been traditionally employed in theology such as knowledge of God, revelation and scripture, reason and faith, experience, and tradition. This section also considers concepts that have not received sufficient epistemological attention in theology, such as saints, authority, ecclesial practices, spiritual formation, and discernment. Part two concentrates on epistemic concepts that have received significant attention in contemporary epistemology and can be related to theology such as understanding, wisdom, testimony, virtue, evidence, foundationalism, realism/antirealism, scepticism, and disagreement. Part three offers examples from key figures in the Christian tradition and investigates the relevant epistemological issues and insights in these writers, as well as recognizing the challenges of connecting insights from contemporary epistemology with the subject of theology proper, namely, God. Part four centres on five emerging areas that warrant further epistemological consideration: liberation theology, continental philosophy, modern orthodox writers, feminism, and Pentecostalism.

This authoritative collection explores how the various topics, figures, and emerging conversations can be reconceived and addressed in light of recent developments in epistemology. Each chapter provides an analysis of the crucial moves, positions, and debates, while also identifying relevant epistemic considerations. This handbook fulfils the need for the development of this new conversation that will take its natural place in the intersection of theology and epistemology. It links the fields of theology and epistemology in robust, meaningful, and significant ways.

William J. Abraham, Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies, Southern Methodist University,Frederick D. Aquino, Professor of Theology and Philosophy, Abilene Christian University

William J. Abraham is Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies at Southern Methodist University. His publications include Divine Revelation and the Limits of Historical Criticism (2000) and Canon and Criterion in Christian Theology (OUP, 1998).

Frederick D. Aquino is Professor of Theology and Philosophy at the Graduate School of Theology, Abilene Christian University. He specializes in religious epistemology, the epistemology of theology, John Henry Newman, and Maximus the confessor. He is the co-editor of Receptions of Newman (OUP, 2015).

List of Contributors
Introduction: The Epistemology of Theology, William J. Abraham and Frederick D. Aquino
PART I: EPISTEMIC CONCEPTS WITHIN THEOLOGY
1. Knowledge of God, John Greco
2. Revelation and Scripture, Sandra Menssen and Thomas Sullivan
3. Reason and Faith, Lara Buchak
4. The Experiential Grounding of Religious Belief, Thomas D. Senor
5. Saints and Saintliness, John Cottingham
6. Authority in Religious Communities, Linda Zagzebski
7. The Inner Witness of the Spirit, Paul K. Moser
8. Tradition, Mark Wynn
9. Ecclesial Practices, Colin M. McGuigan and Brad Kallenberg
10. Spiritual Formation, Authority, and Discernment, Frederick D. Aquino
PART II: GENERAL EPISTEMIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO THEOLOGY
11. Understanding, Jonathan L. Kvanvig
12. Wisdom in Theology, Stephen R. Grimm
13. The Epistemology of Testimony and Religious Belief, Jennifer Lackey
14. Virtue, Jason Baehr
15. Evidence and Theology, Trent Dougherty
16. Foundationalism, Michael Bergmann
17. Realism and Anti-realism, Christopher J. Insole
18. Scepticism, liam Dunaway and John Hawthorne
19. Diasgreement and the Epistemoogy of Theology, Nathan L. King and Thomas Kelly
PART III: SAMPLINGS FROM THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION
20. Paul the Apostle, Paul K. Moser
21. Origen of Alexandria, Robert M. Berchman
22. Augustine, Scott MacDonald
23. Maximus the Confessor, Frederick D. Aquino
24. Symeon the New Theologian, William J. Abraham
25. Anselm, David Brown
26. Thomas Aquinas, James Brent, O.P.
27. John Duns Scotus, Scott M. Williams
28. Richard Hooker, A. S. McGrade
29. Teresa of Avila, Steven Payne
30. John Wesley, Douglas M. Koskela
31. Jonathan Edwards, William J. Wainwright
32. Friedrich Schleiermacher, Kevin W. Hector
33. Søren Kierkegaard, M. G. Piety
34. John Henry Newman, Cyril O'Regan
35. Karl Barth, Paul T. Nimmo
36. Hans Urs von Balthasar, Victoria S. Harrison
Part IV: EMERGING CONVERSATIONS
37. Liberation Theology, Devin Singh
38. Continental Philosophy, J. Aaron Simmons
39. Modern Orthodox Thinkers, Paul L. Gavrilyuk
40. The Epistemology of Feminist Theology, Harriet Harris
41. Pentecostalism, James K. A. Smith