An overview and analysis of John Webster’s seminal contributions to Christian theology 

At the time of his death, John Webster was widely hailed as one of the leading Christian theologians in the world. Over the course of three decades, he produced groundbreaking studies on the theologies of Eberhard Jüngel and Karl Barth and, especially since the turn of the millennium, numerous books and essays on various themes in Christian dogmatics. He then intended to write an encyclopedic systematic theology—a project sadly never able to be completed.

No substitute is possible for that lost opus, but the contributors offer this volume as an homage to Webster and an aid to those who want to learn from him. A Companion to the Theology of John Webster begins with an introductory section on Webster’s theological development, then continues into an extensive overview of Webster’s contributions to contemporary discussions of particular doctrines, and ends with an epilogue suggesting how Webster’s theology might have unfolded had he lived longer and proposing ways his work might continue to influence the enterprise of Christian dogmatics. Readers hoping to understand the legacy of this great theologian, and also those eager for fresh insights into the present state and future trajectories of contemporary Protestantism, will find much to offer here.

Contributors: Michael Allen, Ivor J. Davidson, Christopher R. J. Holmes, Matthew Levering, Joseph L. Mangina, R. David Nelson, Paul T. Nimmo, Kenneth Oakes, Fred Sanders, Darren Sarisky, Katherine Sonderegger, Justin Stratis, Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Martin Westerholm, and Tyler R. Wittman.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Kevin J. Vanhoozer
Preface by Michael Allen and R. David Nelson
     1. John Webster, 1955–2016 by Ivor J. Davidson
Part One: John Webster’s Theological Development
     2. Theological Theology: Webster’s Theological Project by Michael Allen
     3. Webster on Eberhard Jüngel by R. David Nelson
     4. Webster on Karl Barth by Kenneth Oakes
     5. Webster on the Theology of the University by Martin Westerholm
     6. Webster’s Theological Exegesis of Christian Scripture by Matthew Levering
Part Two: John Webster on the Theological Topics
     7. Scripture by Darren Sarisky
     8. Reason by Michael Allen
     9. The Triune God by Fred Sanders
     10. The Perfection of God by Christopher R. J. Holmes
     11. Creation by Justin Stratis
     12. Anthropology by Michael Allen
     13. Jesus Christ by Katherine Sonderegger
     14. Salvation by Ivor J. Davidson
     15. The Church by Joseph L. Mangina
     16. Metaphysics by Tyler R. Wittman
     17. Ethics by Paul T. Nimmo
Epilogue: Courses Charted but Not Taken by R. David Nelson
Bibliography of Published Works by John Webster