John Webster and Prayer: Living by Divine Generosity

Mason carefully develops a theology of prayer that builds on the dogmatic and moral theology of one of the most significant Reformed theologians of the past 50 years: John Webster. Ambitious in scope and exacting in analysis, this volume provides a creative and constructive exploration of the theology of prayer that grows out of Webster’s theology and ethics when considered as a whole. Mason offers close theological readings of Webster’s works against the backdrop of the development of his thought and his major sources in the Christian tradition. In so doing, he roots a dogmatics of prayer in various theological loci that are central to the theology of prayer and Webster’s own writings. This book pays careful attention to the doctrines of God, creation and providence, and sin and salvation, as well as to Webster’s sophisticated moral theology of creaturely agency. Central insights from Webster – in conversation with Aquinas, Barth, Calvin and Reformed scholastic sources – are brought to bear on the major components of a theology of prayer. In doing so, Mason develops a rich and detailed account of the central act of the Christian life in a way that displays the resourcefulness of Webster’s theology and ethics.