Integrative Theology

Rating:
Summary: Excellent treatment of Christian theology
Review: Drs. Lewis and Demarest were two of my professors at Denver Seminary. I was particularly close to Dr. Lewis. He is one of the most intelligent yet humble and gentle men I ever met. And these characteristics come through in his theology.

This theology covers the full range of theology. Each subject is dealt with in-depth. Supporting Scripture verses and the implications of the viewpoint presented are given. It also overviews contrary viewpoints and explains why they do not adequately fit the Biblical material. The reasons for the disagreement are presented in a very fair and straightforward manner. No harsh language at all is seen in this theology.

The theological viewpoint presented is Baptist-Reformed. I agreed with the Baptist perspective before I went to seminary and moved into a Reformed view while at seminary. I present the same perspective in my book "Scripture Workbook: For Personal Bible Study and Teaching the Bible."

So I would highly recommend this theology. And if you want to study even more Scripture verses that support each position given, see my book. It presents dozens or even hundreds of supporting verses for each topic covered.

Rating:
Summary: A great idea but it lacks rigor
Review: I am so thankful these men have developed the "integrative" approach to theology. It is a major step forward.

However, there are so many, many, many flaws, biases, and unsubstantiated statements within the three volumes. In short, it lacks rigor. But, then again, most theologies and commentaries are more a reflection of the author's position, than a rigorous presentation of the evidence.

Buy the book and study it, because it brings so much information and analysis to bear on the points. However, read the book critically and analytically, because it often pontificates rather than reasons.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent but lacks philosophical depth
Review: I am writing another review, as I have continued to develop myself "intellectually" over the years. I think that this book is still great because of its very good historical overviews, presentations & evaluation of many views (incl. liberal, Eastern, etc.), its strong Biblical scholarship, its attempts at relating the ideas to modern situations, etc... However I have come to see the book's major weakness. The Biblical topics deal with many philosophical issues, although not presented in the Bible in a philosophical way. Systematizing, analyzing these issues is even more philosophical (Greek), and in this perspective the authors are way too simplistic, the treatement of the topics too often very naively neglects the philosophical perspective that is necessary for understanding, solving many questions. I still very much recommend this book, but I want to say that it is certainly not sufficient for a real analysis, understanding and for giving answers that are sound enough. I think that this book would be well complemented by St Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica, the deepest and biggest Christian work ever written. However, the Summa is an ancient text that itself requires a lot of study, time and devotion. So alternative recommendation I can make as a completement is Wolfhart Pannenberg's 3 volumes Systematic Theology. Pannenberg is a German (Lutheran) theologian, (and not liberal in comparison with many German theologians), and yet the world's leading theologian. His huge 3 volume systematic theology has a deep philosophical perspective. Pannenberg's work is clearly more academic, difficult than Lewis's present work, yet definetely more accessible than Aquinas' work for those who are not read in philosophy.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent but lacks philosophical depth
Review: I am writing another review, as I have continued to develop myself "intellectually" over the years. I think that this book is still great because of its very good historical overviews, presentations & evaluation of many views (incl. liberal, Eastern, etc.), its strong Biblical scholarship, its attempts at relating the ideas to modern situations, etc... However I have come to see the book's major weakness. The Biblical topics deal with many philosophical issues, although not presented in the Bible in a philosophical way. Systematizing, analyzing these issues is even more philosophical (Greek), and in this perspective the authors are way too simplistic, the treatement of the topics too often very naively neglects the philosophical perspective that is necessary for understanding, solving many questions. I still very much recommend this book, but I want to say that it is certainly not sufficient for a real analysis, understanding and for giving answers that are sound enough. I think that this book would be well complemented by St Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica, the deepest and biggest Christian work ever written. However, the Summa is an ancient text that itself requires a lot of study, time and devotion. So alternative recommendation I can make as a completement is Wolfhart Pannenberg's 3 volumes Systematic Theology. Pannenberg is a German (Lutheran) theologian, (and not liberal in comparison with many German theologians), and yet the world's leading theologian. His huge 3 volume systematic theology has a deep philosophical perspective. Pannenberg's work is clearly more academic, difficult than Lewis's present work, yet definetely more accessible than Aquinas' work for those who are not read in philosophy.

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, clear, practical
Review: While not written at the level of technical philosophical detail as Aquinas or Pannenberg (as another review here stresses), this text is still set apart from most general theological treatments by its philosophical clarity and coherence. This is in addition to the virtues of its serious treatment of the range of Scriptural data concerning each topic, its apologetic engagement with differing views, and its practical counsel for life and ministry. It is a great resource for thinking through major theological issues and positions. I recommend it highly.