The much-discussed notion of Postliberal theology developed from the writings of two theologians at Yale University, Hans Frei and George Lindbeck. An analysis and critique of the much-discussed idea of postliberal theology Provides an overview of postliberalism and the controversies which resulted Compares the writings of theologians Hans Frei and George Lindbeck, from which postliberal theology developed, and uncovers important differences in their thought Reconceptualizes these thinkers contributions to contemporary theological discussion Published in the prestigious Challenges in Contemporary Theology series.

The much-discussed notion of Postliberal theology developed from the writings of two theologians at Yale University, Hans Frei and George Lindbeck.* An analysis and critique of the much-discussed idea of postliberal theology* Provides an overview of postliberalism and the controversies which resulted* Compares the writings of theologians Hans Frei and George Lindbeck, from which postliberal theology developed, and uncovers important differences in their thought* Reconceptualizes these thinkers' contributions to contemporary theological discussion* Published in the prestigious Challenges in Contemporary Theology series.

Preface.1. Genesis of a Concept: Postliberalism and itsOpponents.Preparation: 1945-54.Exploring New Directions at Yale: 1955-64.A Tendency Takes Shape: 1965-74.The "Yale School" before Postliberalism:1975-84.The Crystallization and Contentious Reception of Postliberalism:1985-94.The Decline of Postliberalism: 1995 to the Present.The Goal of the Present Work.2. George Lindbeck: Theology and the Ecclesial People ofWitness.Orthodoxy and Society after Christendom.Community Definition by Grammatical Rules.The Truth of the People of Witness.A New Theology for the Ecclesial "Text".3. Hans Frei: Theology and the Christological Object ofWitness.Concreteness and Identity in the Christological Object.Christology and Biblical Hermeneutics.Negotiating Perspectives on the Christological Object.The "Generosity" of Orthodoxy as an Issue ofMethod.4. Lindbeck: Elusive Oppositions and the Construction ofPostliberalism (I).The Conceptual Scaffolding of the Liberal-PostliberalDualism.Ecclesiology and the Verbum Externum.Liberalism as "Experiential-not Expressivism".Intratextuality.Temptations of Opposition.5. Frei: Elusive Oppositions and the Construction ofPostliberalism (II).The Mystery of the Christological Object and Types ofTheology.The Typology.Dogmatics and Apologetics: a Zero-sum Game?.Systematic versus Ad Hoc (I): The Case of David Tracy.Systematic versus Ad Hoc (II): Irreducible Mystery and theLessons of Correlation.6. The Trial of the Witnesses: The Yale Thinkers"After" Postliberalism.Fashioning an Alternative to Postliberalism: The Trial.Trial as Endurance under Temptation.Trial as Experiment.Trial as Submission to Judgment.The Logic of Proliferation.Bibliography.Index