Böcker av Julian Hartt

Dr. Julian Hartt, in a unique position to interpret the American college campus scene, sees a profoundly creative age just ahead, requiring clearness of purpose, wisdom in decision, steadfast hope, and the courage to do the unpopular thing when necessary.But without a serious confrontation of Christian commitment, university students may end up seeking fellowship in the appropriate mutual admiration society. What is the function of the theologian in the college atmosphere? What is the responsibility of the Christian college engulfed in a variety of theological beliefs?The college chapel, hit by the first shock wave of the turmoil outside the university gates, is the Christian center closest to the action, says Dr. Hartt. It could become a strategic theological arena for discussion of the key policy questions this nation will decide in years to come.

What kind of reality can be perceived when the core problems of theology are freed from dependency upon highly technical and arcane ways of thinking and speaking? Writing with the logical clarity and critical acumen for which he is well-known in theological circles, Julian N. Hartt demonstrates the reality of theology''s problems and shows how they can be perceived as part of a divine restiveness in living. Hartt finds the demands of revelation to be most profoundly registered upon the imagination--that power of the spirit by which the shape of things to come is grasped.Sensing a great hunger for fresh approaches to fundamental theological concerns, Hartt presents a boldly original scholarly work. In it the persistent theological puzzles about method are clarified, the elements of that method are described and major historical controversies about method are critiqued. Topics discussed include: beliefs and reasons, knowing and proving God, faith and hope, authority and scripture, revelation and historical evidence.A significant contribution to theology, this book shows that theological method entails describing the ways in which faith makes sense. Doing this, it speaks about incorrigible beliefs, those convictions so fundamental that without them the very sense of life and world would disappear. Sensing that society has begun to think of theological matters as mere inventions of theologians, Hartt seeks to return to those fundamental questions that are the concrete situation of the serious-minded Christian in the contemporary world.

In an age when ontology is in question and onto-theology has come to an end, the work of Julian Hartt is an important offering to the church. Hartt''s first formal foray into ontology may be found in his (1940) Yale dissertation, ""The Ontological Argument for the Existence of God: A Historic-Critical Exposition of Some of Its Metaphysical and Epistemological Issues. His later thinking about ontology in service to theology may be heard in his Nathaniel Taylor lectures, ""The One God and the Several Worlds: Faith in God after the End of Salvation History. In between these two works, Hartt advanced his own ontology in the series of lectures published as ''Being Known and Being Revealed.'' These lectures display the thinking of an erudite, original scholar who knows the history of philosophy intimately, particularly as it impinges on theology. He also knows the history of theology as it wrestles with Being. But beyond that, he brings his thought in touch with reality, even as his thinking soars--not to escape reality--but to gain a perspective that enables us to be grasped more firmly by the truth.

God The Father has acted in Jesus Christ to save mankind from the human dilemma. Evangelism is grounded in this fact, says Dr. Hartt, and it is to this one great fact we must turn in preaching and teaching. The church today must lift into sharp focus the essential evangelistic message. Only thus--far above the methods of popular evangelism--can it meet the modern world's competition for men's minds and hearts. In these chapters Dr. Hartt defines and interprets each of the great principles of faith that make up the Christian message. Belief in God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Kingdom, the nature of man, is explored in light of the Great Commission. Toward a Theology of Evangelism is an interpretation of the church's mission as witness to the truth and love of God--a vital book for every thoughtful person who seeks to obey Jesus' impelling command: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.

'The Restless Quest' is a collection of essays by Julian N. Hartt. These essays came out of Dr. Hartt's teaching and ministerial experiences; most are the results of years of observation and reflection. Throughout them he applies a persistent and coherent position to a variety of theological topics. Dr. Hartt shows us that not all traditional Christian beliefs have been liquidated by secularist presumption or liberal construction. Because of his very lucid writing, it is not necessary to learn first what Barth, Tillich, Bultmann, or their disciples have said. He further illustrates that there are ways of doing theology in the context of American life and the American church that do not perpetuate the myth that all theological styles necessarily derive from Germany or Denmark. Julian N. Hartt writes: God's forgiveness is truly wonderful; he has everlastingly in view the renewal of a human resolution to walk ever in more Godly ways. Practice in this will not bring in the kingdom of God, no matter how inspired and unsparing the practice is. It will help, it will surely help, self and others to learn what that kingdom is all about. For as Christ is our pioneer and our warrant, that kingdom is the prize and joy of all desiring.