| This study argues that Wittgenstein's impact on contemporary theology is pervasive. It does so by analyzing the theological dynamic in the encounter between Wittgenstein and selected Anglo-American theologians. Chapter 1, “Wittgenstein,” is an overview of Wittgenstein's life and work, focusing on his later work, and serving as a point of reference for the following chapters.; Chapter 2, “Dialogue and Non-Appropriation,” delineates the work of those theologians who recognize the significance of Wittgenstein, and dialogue with him, while ultimately rejecting his essential ideas in their published work. Norman Geisler and David Tracy are the major case studies for this section. Chapter 3, “Partial Appropriation,” includes those theologians who acknowledge the significance of Wittgenstein's insights such that they adapt those insights to their concerns. George Lindbeck and Hans Frei are the major case studies, while Anthony Thiselton, N. T. Wright, Gordon Kaufman, William C. Placher, Kevin Vanhoozer, David K. Clark, and John Frame are the minor case studies.; Chapter 4, “Formative Appropriation,” is reserved for those theologians who embrace the major concerns of Wittgenstein, and think that he points the way forward for contemporary theology. Fergus Kerr and Stanley Hauerwas are the major case studies, while James Wm. McClendon, Jr., Brad Kallenberg, Paul Holmer, Joe Jones, David Burrell, Victor Preller, Cornelius Ernst, Herbert McCabe, Donald MacKinnon, and Rowan Williams are the minor case studies.; Chapter 5, “Conclusion: A Wittgensteinian Landscape,” attempts to make sense of the argument as a whole, combining the insights of chapters 2 through 4. The dissertation concludes that Wittgenstein's influence on contemporary theology is significant, and that theologians should give careful attention to Wittgenstein's work, in light of his influence on theology, with an eye toward appropriating his insights for their own constructive work, or being prepared to give a carefully considered rejection of those insights. |
