Reforming metaphorical theology?:a critical assessment of the works of Sallie McFague in the light of her respondents
McFague’s contributions to theology span over 40 years. Does her
theological project, which aims to reform the Christian tradition, retain the
coherence and consistency needed to fulfil this aim today?
Surprisingly, McFague's body of work remains coherent, consistent and
viable after many years of debate in relation to her own aims and methods
and the responses of critics. However her theology can, in places, be
strengthened in meeting its aim by an integration of more recent research or
the work of her respondents.
Developments in her thought over time remain generally consistent with
her earlier work. Analysis of the basic categories of her thought shows a
unity of form and content and an underlying conceptual unity. The models
McFague advances are consistent as expressions of her stated method and
aims. They perform the tasks set for them, if not always by the means she
describes. Again the importance of the conceptual level proves greater than
McFague allows.
The coherence and consistency of the greater part of her work is weaker in
its interaction with the Christian tradition. Her position on this has changed
most over time. Work remains to be done on integrating her models with
traditional ones. Despite her own judgements, this integration is desirable
to maximise the reform of that tradition as she wishes and for her theology
most naturally to be seen as reforming rather than revolutionary.
But overall, McFague's work makes a valuable contribution to
contemporary theology. She expounds coherent, original metaphorical
models addressing contemporary concerns and a coherent theoretical
framework that has largely withstood the scrutiny of respondents and
developments in her field. Within this framework models may be created
and assessed in creative tension with Christian tradition. However this
relationship with the tradition remains to be deepened, strengthened and
clarified by future research.