George Lindbeck once characterized postliberalism, which received its
initial structure from his book The Nature of Doctrine, as an attempt
to recover pre-modern scriptural interpretation in contemporary form. In
Lord, Giver of Life: Toward a Pneumatological Complement to George
Lindbeck's Theory of Doctrine, Jane Barter Moulaison explores the
success of that effort through a close examination of Lindbeck's own
theological contributions. Taking seriously the ecumenical promises of
Lindbeck's writing (he was instrumental in advancing Lutheran and Roman
Catholic dialogue throughout the 1960s, '70s, and '80s), this book
brings Lindbeck's famous cultural-linguistic model of religion into
dialogue with Christianity's theological forbearers: specifically, the
Eastern progenitors of orthodox confession.
This constellation of theological voices--Lindbeck, his supporters and
detractors, along with patristic theologians--is meant not only to test
the viability of a religious model but, more importantly, to advance
Lindbeck's project in ways that have not yet been pursued. Among the
critical questions engaged are: to what degree can the excesses of
modern theology be overcome by a return to premodern sources? What are
the implications of a constructive pneumatology to the
cultural-linguistic model? Does this complement address the critiques of
postliberalism, particularly those that consider the role of human
agency, rationality, and autonomy?
While Lindbeck recovers significant and forgotten elements of pre-modern
biblical interpretation, the very formalism of his project sometimes
obscures the theological underpinnings of premodern insights and
practices. Through specific attention to Eastern Trinitarian theologies
of the fourth century, this book exposes a rather persistent oversight
within Lindbeck's recovery: namely, that alongside the regulative
function of canon and doctrine, early biblical interpretation recognizes
the role of the Holy Spirit in the appropriation of scripture, in the
mission of the church, and in the defence of the gospel within the
context of an unbelieving world. This book attends to these insights
from the early churchs doctrine of the Holy Spirit in appreciative
service to the cultural-linguistic model of religion.
