Ellen T.
Charry writes that her God and the Art of Happiness “is a sequel to By the Renewing of YourMinds: The Pastoral Function of Christian Doctrine, where I argued that
classical doctrinal theology is pastorally motivated and that its end is human flourishing.
At the outset of that book I note that “all the thinkers to be examined here
held that knowing and loving God is the mechanism of choice for forming excellent
character and promoting genuine happiness.” Having argued there for the pastoral
function of Christian doctrine, here I review the history of the theological
conversation about happiness and offer a constructive proposal for reopening it
now.”
“Western
Christian theology is skittish about temporal happiness, not because the
tradition has not engaged the subject but because happiness has been primarily
construed in terms of eschatology...This study addresses the general concern
for theology’s emphasis on future eschatology at the expense of temporal
happiness by proposing that happiness is a realizing eschatology with salvation
centered in sanctification. Salvation is growing into the wisdom of divine love
and enjoying oneself in the process.”
“Untethered
from God, there is little call to locate happiness in a spiritual-moral
framework. Christian doctrine has not adequately linked piety to pleasure, thus
leaving a theological gap between goodness and happiness. Happiness unlinked
from goodness and linked to excitement instead has moved in to fill the space.
My hope in reopening the theological discussion is to reconnect pleasure to goodness
so that happiness may regain its soteriological calling, not only for
Christians who may have ceded the term to the marketplace but also for those
who seek spiritual flourishing. This treatment of happiness agrees with most
classical ones that, while all want to be happy, many are looking in the wrong
place. While all seek happiness, this offering carries a special burden for
those traumatized by life’s adversities – that they may be comforted and
encouraged.”
Here is Scott McKnight's book notice.
