Toward a pragmatic theology of reconciliation: An examination of atonement in Josiah Royce

This dissertation explores the concept of at-one-ment as found in the work of Josiah Royce (1855–1916) in relation to a pragmatic theory of meaning. Late in his career, Royce examines what he calls the three leading ideas of Christianity: the moral burden, atonement and the community of interpreters (The Problem of Christianity, 1913). In that text, traditional atonement theories are criticized as inadequate for understanding the real meaning of at-one-ment. Instead, Royce argues at-one-ment is the creative and effective work of the Beloved Community, as it strives toward greater union. A major goal of this dissertation is to use Royce as a heuristic for applying pragmatic criteria to theological concepts, specifically the concept of at-one-ment.; This dissertation makes historical and systematic contributions to the study of Royce and to the theology of atonement. First, the historical study of Royce's early and middle career does not appear to support a theory of meaning as revealed in conduct alone. Rather, Royce uses theoretical deductions to argue that the universe is always and already at-one in the life of universal consciousness. Systematic idealism effectively obviates any real need for at-one-ment, since any separation is apparent only. In 1912, Royce decisively turns to the pragmaticism of Charles Sanders Peirce. A major portion of this thesis is devoted to tracing the trajectory away from his early position of idealism to pragmatic realism in his final years.; The systematic argument turns on the pragmatic maxim of Peirce: the whole purport of at-one-ment consists in modes of conduct that would ensue upon acceptance of this theological idea. Theological theories like penal satisfaction or sacrifice focus on the efficacious work of Jesus on the cross rather than actual reconciling practices of the community that follow upon professed belief in at-one-ment. I argue that the meaning of Christian at-one-ment must be understood pragmatically, that is, as effected through reconciling practices within and on behalf of the faith community. Conversely, an absence of observable, effective reconciling practices renders belief in at-one-ment meaningless. A pragmatic theology of at-one-ment explicitly requires a re-examination and re-formulation of a Christian theology of reconciliation.