Having identified crucial flaws in both classical foundationalism and
cognitive relativism, Andrew Sloane expounds Wolterstorff's theory of
rationality and his understanding of the devising and weighing of
theories. The role of control beliefs in scholarship and the place of
Christian beliefs in the practice of Christian scholarship are explored.
The author then critically appraises Wolterstorff's view in dialogue
with its rivals. He presents a defensible person-specific but
nonrelativist criterion of theory choice and outlines an organic
epistemological metaphor. The book concludes by exploring the
implications of these findings for theological scholarship, in
particular Old Testament exegesis. The author suggests that
Wolterstorff's notion of scholarly practice explains the practice of
scholarship and is to be commended to Christian scholars as a cogent and
challenging method of devising and appraising theories. Andrew Sloane
astutely displays the prophetic challenge of Nicholas Wolterstorff's
Christian scholarship; but, in the process, offers 'gold' of his own.
Thus two disciples enhance both thought and life. --William Anderson,
formerly Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Education at Sydney
University, Australia This is an important and thoughtful work on an
important and thoughtful Christian philosopher. This book is highly
recommended for everyone who desires to think Christianly with
integrity. --James Kelly Clark Professor of Philosophy, Calvin College
Andrew Sloane, with considerable flair, provides the reader with a
careful, astute and eminently fair reading of Nicholas Wolterstorff's
important contributions to a Christian's epistemology as they bear on
being a Christian in the Academy. --Graham A. Cole, Professor of
Biblical and Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Andrew Sloane studied medicine and practiced briefly as a doctor before
entering the Baptist ministry. He studied theology at Morling College
(Sydney) and in 1994 he was awarded his ThD by the Australian College of
Theology for the thesis on which this book is based. From 1996 to 2002
he was in the faculty of Ridley College, Melbourne. In 2002 he took up
the position of Lecturer in Old Testament and Christian Thought at
Morling College, Sydney.
