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The LORD Who Listens
A Dogmatic Inquiry into God as Hearer
Series: - Studies in Systematic Theology, Volume: 26
Author:
In The LORD Who Listens, Charles C. Helmer IV draws on Holy Scripture and the theology of Karl Barth to offer a theological intepretation of God's hearing. Prioritizing this neglected biblical theme, Helmer develops a theological grammar for speaking of God's hearing that maintains a strong creator-creature distinction and then proceeds to demonstrate the profound implications God's hearing has for the doctrines of anthropology, Christology and, thus, for understandings of the gospel.
In contrast to passibilist-liberationist strategies, God's hearing is argued to furnish existentially and theologically superior resources for those who cry out to be heard by God.
In contrast to passibilist-liberationist strategies, God's hearing is argued to furnish existentially and theologically superior resources for those who cry out to be heard by God.
Charles C. Helmer IV, Ph.D. (2021), Durham University, is a campus minister at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
At the heart of Christian theology is the claim that God speaks, yet the Bible also describes God as listening to the speech of others. Charles Helmerâs The Lord Who Listens redresses the relative neglect by theologians of Godâs hearing, rightly arguing that the way we conceive Godâs hearing speaks volumes about Godâs nature and works. The result is an impressive dogmatic account of Godâs listening as active, not passive â a work in time that corresponds to an eternal divine perfection. In an evil age where many feel their cries and voices go unheard, Helmerâs claim that faith in Christ, the Always-Heard Word, guarantees a divine hearing proves to be a dignifying grace and a game-changing consolation. - Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
This is a superb book. Helmer digs into a seemingly simple idea â the scriptural claim that God hears God's creatures â and shows us just how deep and rich a resource it is. He ranges widely, but always with the same clarity and incisive intelligence, always in lively dialogue with others, and always alert to the implications for Christian life. This is how systematic theology should be done. - Mike Higton, Professor of Theology and Ministry, Durham University.
In The Lord Who Listens Helmer develops a creative, persuasive and multi-layered account of an unaccountably neglected theological theme â God as hearer â and shows how it yields profound new insights into familiar scriptural texts and theological loci. The book is informed by deep understanding both theologically and pastorally, and deserves a wide readership. - Rachel Muers, Professor of Divinity, University of Edinburgh.
Chad Helmer breaks important new ground in this dogmatic treatment of Godâs hearing. Divine speech and action have been extensively explored by modern theologians, but not the significance of divine hearing. In this disciplined, careful and conscientious book, Helmer draws on sources ranging from Genesis, the Psalms and the Book of Job to Karl Barth, Thomas Aquinas and Alistair McFadyen to develop a theology of divine hearing which is both deeply traditional and genuinely original. -Karen Kilby, Bede Professor of Catholic Theology, Durham University.
This is an impressive piece of sustained systematic examination and constructive articulation in relation to the generally underdeveloped theme of Godâs hearing. - Paul D. Murray, Professor of Systematic Theology, Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University.
This is a superb book. Helmer digs into a seemingly simple idea â the scriptural claim that God hears God's creatures â and shows us just how deep and rich a resource it is. He ranges widely, but always with the same clarity and incisive intelligence, always in lively dialogue with others, and always alert to the implications for Christian life. This is how systematic theology should be done. - Mike Higton, Professor of Theology and Ministry, Durham University.
In The Lord Who Listens Helmer develops a creative, persuasive and multi-layered account of an unaccountably neglected theological theme â God as hearer â and shows how it yields profound new insights into familiar scriptural texts and theological loci. The book is informed by deep understanding both theologically and pastorally, and deserves a wide readership. - Rachel Muers, Professor of Divinity, University of Edinburgh.
Chad Helmer breaks important new ground in this dogmatic treatment of Godâs hearing. Divine speech and action have been extensively explored by modern theologians, but not the significance of divine hearing. In this disciplined, careful and conscientious book, Helmer draws on sources ranging from Genesis, the Psalms and the Book of Job to Karl Barth, Thomas Aquinas and Alistair McFadyen to develop a theology of divine hearing which is both deeply traditional and genuinely original. -Karen Kilby, Bede Professor of Catholic Theology, Durham University.
This is an impressive piece of sustained systematic examination and constructive articulation in relation to the generally underdeveloped theme of Godâs hearing. - Paul D. Murray, Professor of Systematic Theology, Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1 Scripture: An Auscultation of Hearing
â1.1âAbraham and the Covenant: An Interpretive Framework
â1.2âHearing in the Psalms
â1.3âNew Testament Continuities and Transformations
â1.4âConclusion
2 Karl Barth and the Promise of Godâs Hearing
â2.1âCreation and Covenant: The Place of Godâs Hearing
â2.2âThe Priority of Divine Agency in Human Speaking and Divine Hearing
â2.3âConfidence in the God Who Hears
â2.4âHearing and Godâs Constancy
â2.5âConclusion
3 Creation: A Theological Grammar
â3.1âGodâs Radical Ontological Alterity and Infinite Proximity
â3.2âGod as Hearer in Being and Act
â3.3âGodâs Hearingâan Utterly Gratuitous and Perfect Gift of Love
â3.4âConclusion
4 Anthropology: Being Heard into Hearing Beings
â4.1âHuman Social Formation
â4.2âFormed by the Hearing of Others
â4.3âMalformed by Silence
â4.4âGodâs Hearing and Human Becoming
â4.5âConclusion
5 Christology: The Triumph of the Always-Heard Word
â5.1âIncarnation
â5.2âDeath
â5.3âResurrection
â5.4âAscension
â5.5âConclusion
Conclusion: âO That I Had One to Hear Me!â
Bibliography
Index of Subjects
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part 1: An Interpretation of Godâs Hearing
1 Scripture: An Auscultation of Hearing
â1.1âAbraham and the Covenant: An Interpretive Framework
â1.2âHearing in the Psalms
â1.3âNew Testament Continuities and Transformations
â1.4âConclusion
2 Karl Barth and the Promise of Godâs Hearing
â2.1âCreation and Covenant: The Place of Godâs Hearing
â2.2âThe Priority of Divine Agency in Human Speaking and Divine Hearing
â2.3âConfidence in the God Who Hears
â2.4âHearing and Godâs Constancy
â2.5âConclusion
Part 2: A Constructive Proposal for Godâs Hearing
3 Creation: A Theological Grammar
â3.1âGodâs Radical Ontological Alterity and Infinite Proximity
â3.2âGod as Hearer in Being and Act
â3.3âGodâs Hearingâan Utterly Gratuitous and Perfect Gift of Love
â3.4âConclusion
4 Anthropology: Being Heard into Hearing Beings
â4.1âHuman Social Formation
â4.2âFormed by the Hearing of Others
â4.3âMalformed by Silence
â4.4âGodâs Hearing and Human Becoming
â4.5âConclusion
5 Christology: The Triumph of the Always-Heard Word
â5.1âIncarnation
â5.2âDeath
â5.3âResurrection
â5.4âAscension
â5.5âConclusion
Conclusion: âO That I Had One to Hear Me!â
Bibliography
Index of Subjects
Theologians, post-graduate, graduate and advanced undergraduate students, theologically-trained pastors, Barth scholars, those interested in "classical theism", responses to liberation theology, or the integration of social science with theology.