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Licensed Unlicensed Requires Authentication Published by De Gruyter October 4, 2013

Telling the Story. But How?[1]

Abstract

James C. Livingston (1930–2011) was a longtime participant in the Nineteenth Century Theology Group of the American Academy of Religion and author and editor of numerous books including Anatomy of the Sacred (Prentice Hall, 6th ed. 2008). This paper is a review of his involvement with nineteenth century theology. In this context the question is raised what the criteria are for writing a theology of that period as Livingston had done.

Dividing history into centuries remains arbitrary. Therefore the boundaries must remain fluid. Both to names and movements to be included in the narrative, they must have made some impact beyond their own denominational and/or geographical boundaries. While the marginalized should not be forgotten, intellectual honesty requires to note that the nineteenth century allowed little or no space for them. The same is true with the global scene. The purpose of writing history of the nineteenth century should be to remind us that without being rooted in the past, we have little grounding in the present. We are simply adrift on the waves of the present. Moreover, our own theology would hang suspended in midair without regard to its inception and development.

Published Online: 2013-10-4
Published in Print: 2013-10

© 2012 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston

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