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A Theology of Nonsense

by Josephine Gabelman
Hardcover |English |1498285988 | 9781498285988

A Theology of Nonsense

by Josephine Gabelman
Hardcover |English |1498285988 | 9781498285988
Overview

There is within all theological utterances something of the ridiculous, perhaps more so in Christianity, given its proclivity for the paradoxical and the childlike. Yet, few theologians are willing to discuss that consent to the Christian doctrine often requires a faith that goes beyond reason or does not exclusively identify with it. There seems to be a fear that the association of theology with the absurd will give fuel to the skeptic's refrain: "you can't seriously believe in all that nonsense" This book considers the legitimacy of the skeptic's objection and rather than trying to explain away points of logical contradiction, the author explores the possibility that an idea can be contrary to rationality and also true and meaningful. The study involves the systematic analysis of central stylistic features of literary nonsense using Lewis Carroll's famous Alice stories as exemplar. The project culminates in the setting up of a nonsense theology by considering the practical and evangelical ramifications of associating Christian faith with nonsense literature; and conversely, the value of relating theological principles to the study of literary nonsense. Ultimately, the research suggests that faith is always a risk and that a strictly rational apologetic misrepresents the nature of Christian truth--
ISBN: 1498285988
ISBN13: 9781498285988
Author: Josephine Gabelman
Publisher: Wipf and Stock
Format: Hardcover
PublicationDate: 2016-09-08
Language: English
PageCount: 238
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.56 x 9.0 inches
Weight: 17.12 ounces

There is within all theological utterances something of the ridiculous, perhaps more so in Christianity, given its proclivity for the paradoxical and the childlike. Yet, few theologians are willing to discuss that consent to the Christian doctrine often requires a faith that goes beyond reason or does not exclusively identify with it. There seems to be a fear that the association of theology with the absurd will give fuel to the skeptic's refrain: ""you can't seriously believe in all that nonsense."" This book considers the legitimacy of the skeptic's objection and rather than trying to explain away points of logical contradiction, the author explores the possibility that an idea can be contrary to rationality and also true and meaningful. The study involves the systematic analysis of central stylistic features of literary nonsense using Lewis Carroll's famous Alice stories as exemplar. The project culminates in the setting up of a nonsense theology by considering the practical and evangelical ramifications of associating Christian faith with nonsense literature; and conversely, the value of relating theological principles to the study of literary nonsense. Ultimately, the research suggests that faith is always a risk and that a strictly rational apologetic misrepresents the nature of Christian truth. ""If this doesn't disturb the frowning unibrow on our pallid hyper-rationalist foreheads, nothing will. I read it as an extended meditation on Chesterton's insight that a maniac isn't someone who has lost his reason, but someone who has lost everything except his reason. Gabelman, reminding us how there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in a world of iron logic, shows the value of nonsense without taking refuge in nonsense."" --Michael Ward, Fellow of Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, and Professor of Apologetics, Houston Baptist University ""Josephine Gabelman exhibits a high-spirited belief that theological redescriptions of the world can disclose that world to us more fully. She combines a Wildean delight in pointing out the failure of narrowly conceived 'realism' as a literary method (because of the way it starves the human imagination's innate and essential striving for mythopoetic meaning) with a performance of something like what Dietrich Bonhoeffer once called 'hilaritas': in her case, a confidence that, in its radicalness, a Christian mythopoesis discloses the world's truest and surest goods. It is a bold and exhilarating book."" --Ben Quash, Professor of Christianity and the Arts, King's College London ""A provocative and probing exploration of the senses in which Christian theology, by being faithful to its central premise and point of departure, is bound always to appear 'nonsensical' to those wedded not just to particular rationalities, but to 'rationality' as such as a primary desideratum and aspiration to be privileged above all others. The author demonstrates persuasively that reason in its highest mode may be something rather different, and better suited to the theological circumstance."" --Trevor Hart, Professor, University of St. Andrews ""This book begins with an invocation of Jane Austen at her wittiest, on the matter of balls and boredom . . . One might say that Josephine Gabelman has more boldly suggested than anyone hitherto that the Christian life, if it is true to the Christian vision, should be more like a ball than a conversation--however fascinating."" --John Milbank, Author, Theology and Social Theory Josephine Gabelman teaches Philosophy and Religion at Eastbourne College, East Sussex. She received her doctorate from the University of St Andrews after completing a degree in Theology at the University of Cambridge, Peterhouse.

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Overview

There is within all theological utterances something of the ridiculous, perhaps more so in Christianity, given its proclivity for the paradoxical and the childlike. Yet, few theologians are willing to discuss that consent to the Christian doctrine often requires a faith that goes beyond reason or does not exclusively identify with it. There seems to be a fear that the association of theology with the absurd will give fuel to the skeptic's refrain: "you can't seriously believe in all that nonsense" This book considers the legitimacy of the skeptic's objection and rather than trying to explain away points of logical contradiction, the author explores the possibility that an idea can be contrary to rationality and also true and meaningful. The study involves the systematic analysis of central stylistic features of literary nonsense using Lewis Carroll's famous Alice stories as exemplar. The project culminates in the setting up of a nonsense theology by considering the practical and evangelical ramifications of associating Christian faith with nonsense literature; and conversely, the value of relating theological principles to the study of literary nonsense. Ultimately, the research suggests that faith is always a risk and that a strictly rational apologetic misrepresents the nature of Christian truth--
ISBN: 1498285988
ISBN13: 9781498285988
Author: Josephine Gabelman
Publisher: Wipf and Stock
Format: Hardcover
PublicationDate: 2016-09-08
Language: English
PageCount: 238
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.56 x 9.0 inches
Weight: 17.12 ounces

There is within all theological utterances something of the ridiculous, perhaps more so in Christianity, given its proclivity for the paradoxical and the childlike. Yet, few theologians are willing to discuss that consent to the Christian doctrine often requires a faith that goes beyond reason or does not exclusively identify with it. There seems to be a fear that the association of theology with the absurd will give fuel to the skeptic's refrain: ""you can't seriously believe in all that nonsense."" This book considers the legitimacy of the skeptic's objection and rather than trying to explain away points of logical contradiction, the author explores the possibility that an idea can be contrary to rationality and also true and meaningful. The study involves the systematic analysis of central stylistic features of literary nonsense using Lewis Carroll's famous Alice stories as exemplar. The project culminates in the setting up of a nonsense theology by considering the practical and evangelical ramifications of associating Christian faith with nonsense literature; and conversely, the value of relating theological principles to the study of literary nonsense. Ultimately, the research suggests that faith is always a risk and that a strictly rational apologetic misrepresents the nature of Christian truth. ""If this doesn't disturb the frowning unibrow on our pallid hyper-rationalist foreheads, nothing will. I read it as an extended meditation on Chesterton's insight that a maniac isn't someone who has lost his reason, but someone who has lost everything except his reason. Gabelman, reminding us how there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in a world of iron logic, shows the value of nonsense without taking refuge in nonsense."" --Michael Ward, Fellow of Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, and Professor of Apologetics, Houston Baptist University ""Josephine Gabelman exhibits a high-spirited belief that theological redescriptions of the world can disclose that world to us more fully. She combines a Wildean delight in pointing out the failure of narrowly conceived 'realism' as a literary method (because of the way it starves the human imagination's innate and essential striving for mythopoetic meaning) with a performance of something like what Dietrich Bonhoeffer once called 'hilaritas': in her case, a confidence that, in its radicalness, a Christian mythopoesis discloses the world's truest and surest goods. It is a bold and exhilarating book."" --Ben Quash, Professor of Christianity and the Arts, King's College London ""A provocative and probing exploration of the senses in which Christian theology, by being faithful to its central premise and point of departure, is bound always to appear 'nonsensical' to those wedded not just to particular rationalities, but to 'rationality' as such as a primary desideratum and aspiration to be privileged above all others. The author demonstrates persuasively that reason in its highest mode may be something rather different, and better suited to the theological circumstance."" --Trevor Hart, Professor, University of St. Andrews ""This book begins with an invocation of Jane Austen at her wittiest, on the matter of balls and boredom . . . One might say that Josephine Gabelman has more boldly suggested than anyone hitherto that the Christian life, if it is true to the Christian vision, should be more like a ball than a conversation--however fascinating."" --John Milbank, Author, Theology and Social Theory Josephine Gabelman teaches Philosophy and Religion at Eastbourne College, East Sussex. She received her doctorate from the University of St Andrews after completing a degree in Theology at the University of Cambridge, Peterhouse.

Books - New and Used

The following guidelines apply to books:

  • New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
  • Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

Shipping Fees

  • Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
  • Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
  • No additional fees and charges.

Delivery Times

The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.

Estimated delivery times:

  • Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
  • Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days

Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.  

Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times. 

Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.). 

If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.

You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.

Additional non-returnable items:

  • Gift cards
  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)

  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
  • Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery

Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.

Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.

If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:

  • Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
  • Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
  • Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.


Shipping Cost


We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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