Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 50:2 (Jun 2007)
Article: Wittgenstein’s Theologians? A Survey Of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s Impact On Theology
Author: Bruce Riley Ashford

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JETS 50:2 (June 2007) p. 357

Wittgenstein’s Theologians? A Survey Of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s Impact On Theology

Bruce R. Ashford

Bruce Ashford is associate professor of philosophy and intercultural studies and director of the Center for Great Commission Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 120 S. Wingate St., Wake Forest, NC 27587.

There is little doubt that Wittgenstein has influenced the discipline of philosophy, as well as subsidiary fields, and that he is a towering figure among twentieth-century intellectuals. Many scholars consider him the most influential philosopher of the century, and note that during the span of his career he produced two markedly different, yet equally brilliant, philosophies. It has been said that he is a “cultural figure of international significance,”1 whose mesmerizing influence over his disciples is rivaled only by Socrates.2 His impact reaches into such various fields as cognitive psychology, sociology, ethics, literary criticism, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of language. Beyond this, it must be noted that Wittgenstein has ushered in a new intellectual era, in much the way that Kant did during his day. Rather than a Kantian turn to the subject, however, Wittgenstein bequeaths a turn to language and practice. This influence has been well documented.3

What has been overlooked, however, is how theologians now stand in the shadow of Wittgenstein. Until recently, statements such as “Wittgenstein’s work has not had a great deal of influence on theology” and “it is unclear what might happen to a theology given the full Wittgenstein treatment” could be made without raising eyebrows.4 But particularly in the past two decades, Wittgenstein has been appropriated in increasingly more theological proposals, including such disciplines as ethics, hermeneutics,

JETS 50:2 (June 2007) p. 358

philosophical theology, philosophy of religion, systematic theology, biblical studies, evangelism, and missions. His insights are adopted across denominational boundaries, in such traditions as Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, Baptist, Reformed and Presbyterian, and Mennonite. Moreover, his influence is not limited to one “school” of theologians, but includes Thomist, postliberal, liberal, and evangelical theologians.

With Wittgenstein’s influence thus stated, several questions arise. What is the nature of Wittgenstein’s influence? Which of his insights have been adopted, and to what end? Who are the theologians that adopt...

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