Theology and the Public: Reflections on Hans W. Frei on Hermeneutics, Christology, and Theological Method

Hans W. Frei’s groundbreaking achievement in theological hermeneutics, Christology, and theological method has made possible new alternatives in contemporary theology, and has become a key impetus to the emergence of postliberal theology also known as the “Yale School.” Much discussion has taken place since the publication of The Eclipse of Biblical Narrative in 1974, and his work continues to generate intense debate among his proponents, critics, and sympathetic observers. One of the key questions in this conversation is whether Frei’s work signals a sectarian flight from the public world at large to a private enclave in the intratextual world of biblical narrative. Unfortunately, his critics have misinterpreted his thought and failed to recognize that the notion of the public is a pivotal feature of his theology. Therefore, the aim of this book is to debunk common misunderstandings of his project by showing that Frei maintains a sustained and robust commitment to the public world. This book demonstrates the public character of Frei’s thought by examining the major foci of his work, theological hermeneutics, Christology, ecclesiology, and theological method. It begins with an introductory chapter on postliberal theology with special attention to the criticism of sectarianism, followed by a study of Frei’s constructive proposals in relation to the church, society, and academy.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Introduction PART ONE: THEOLOGICAL HERMENEUTICS Chapter 1: Frei’s Early Hermeneutics: Realistic Narrative Interpretation Chapter 2: Realistic Narrative and the Public Chapter 3: Frei’s Later Hermeneutics: The Literal Reading PART TWO: CHRISTOLOGY Chapter 4: The Unsubstitutable Identity of Jesus Chapter 5: The Church and the World THREE: THEOLOGICAL METHOD Chapter 6: Theology and the Academy Chapter 7: Use of Philosophy in Christian Theology Chapter 8: Theology and Historical-Critical Inquiry Bibliography About the Author

About the Author :
Daniel D. Shin is assistant professor of theology and world Christianity and E. Stanley Jones chair of evangelism at Drew University.

Review :
This book makes a major contribution to our understanding of Hans Frei. It is thorough in its engagement with his writings and judicious in its judgments about his arguments. It clears away many misunderstandings of Frei's work. No one interested in Frei and his important accomplishments can afford to neglect this book. The works of Hans Frei are a valuable resource for contemporary theology, but they have proved all too easy to misconstrue. Daniel Shin has therefore done an important service in providing this wide-ranging and detailed guide to Frei’s theology. It is thoughtful, thorough, and sure-footed and will give explorers of Frei's work a well-drawn map to guide their steps—and will help them to see that his work is far more engaged, critical, and interdisciplinary than they might have thought. It deserves serious attention from anyone who wants to discover what Frei might have to contribute to theology today. Daniel Shin’s well-written study is a worthy addition to the literature on Hans Frei. The entirety of the book is helpful in understanding the movement of Frei’s thought over his career. Especially interesting is the way Shin integrates his nuanced analysis of Frei’s late-career engagement with Schleiermacher and with nineteenth-century historical criticism into his argument for the public nature of Frei’s theological program. This enjoyable book represents a significant advance in the conversation over Frei’s theological legacy—highly recommended! Books on the Postliberal Theology of Hans Frei and George Lindbeck are not new. But at least one critic has proclaimed the demise of this theological perspective. This book resoundingly demonstrates that reports of the demise of Postliberalism and the ideas of Frei are "greatly exaggerated!" Daniel Shin demonstrates here the vibrancy of Frei's inisghts for the 21st-century Church.