A Theology of Suffering Love

The unorthodox theology of nineteenth century British novelist George Eliot resulted not in a dispassionate avoidance of Christianity in her narratives but in an existential engagement with the faith she had once embraced. Prior to writing her first novel, Eliot, already recognized as a leading literary critic and translator, had adopted the empiricist and positivist philosophies of the elite intellectual circles of British society. Like many of her contemporaries, Eliot adhered to a liberal Christology advocating Jesus Christ as a moral exemplar whom humanity should imitate. A change in Eliot s religious viewpoints, however, emerged as she began writing fiction. Although she never returned to an orthodox form of Christianity, her novels reveal that she continued to struggle with Christianity s radical proclamation of Good News.

Autorentext

Jason N. Patrick is the pastor of Menokin Baptist Church on the Northern Neck peninsula of Virginia. He earned a Ph.D. in Religion at Baylor University. He also holds M.Div. and B.A. degrees from Hardin-Simmons University. He is married to Hannah Belk-Patrick and has a daughter named Hannah Elizabeth to whom this work is dedicated.