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Rating: 
Summary: A good book -- or a risky book -- it depends.
Review: In the introduction Alister McGrath concisely states his purpose in writing this book. "This study therefore aims to explore the coherence of evangelicalism by bringing out the inner consistency of the evangelical approach and demonstrating the internal contradictions and vulnerabilities of its contemporary rivals." In the remaining five chapters he proceeds to do just that. The first two chapters are devoted to discussing what he considers to be the primary unique cornerstones of evangelicalism: the belief in the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, and a particular and high view of the authority of Scripture. While looking at the uniqueness of Christ he meshes into the discussion modernity's influence on the thinking of the age. He concludes by pointing out the significance of Christ (and evangelicalism's view of Him) in this present context. While looking at the authority of Scripture he examines several alternative approaches to authority, namely, the finding of authority in either culture, experience, reason, or tradition. He concludes that "the evangelical appeal to the authority of Scripture is coherent and informed." In the next three chapters he discusses postliberalism (chapter 3), postmodernism (chapter 4), and religious pluralism (chapter 5). In each case he explains the interaction between the particular "ism" and evangelicalism, and he shows the internal weaknesses of the "ism." In the midst of the discussion, of course, the internal coherence of evangelicalism becomes evident as it is compared to ways of thinking which are fraught with internal problems. My overall reaction to the book is one of satisfaction with McGrath's analysis and his conclusions. Yes, evangelicalism is internally coherent. Yes, evangelicalism's positions hold up against the "isms" of the age. And yes, the "isms" of the age are fraught with internal problems. But as positive as I am with the book overall, I found myself unsatisfied with some of McGrath's statements. I was reminded of my own reaction to Noll's "The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind." During both McGrath and Noll's disassembling of the thinking of the Old Princeton arguments (and any others which are viewed as being linked with the thinking of the Renaissance) we were given no clear replacement. I felt as if I was being told that my automobile was not really functional and that I ought to get rid of it. But, I was never told clearly how I am now supposed to get around town. McGrath leaves me stranded on the roadside especially when he criticizes recent evangelicalism's use of logic. He accuses Carl Henry of raising logical consistency and non-contradiction to the place where they sit in judgement over revelation. McGrath says, "Evangelicals, of all people, cannot allow revelation to be imprisioned within the flawed limits of human reason." He seems to criticize interpretations which, "reduce the meaning of Scripture to 'a grammatically and logically sound propositional statement.'" But what are we to have in its place - an ungrammatical and illogical gurgle? A good book -- undoubtedly disconcerting to those who are banking on the tenants of liberalism and postmodernism, and likewise seen as encouraging by those who consider themselves evangelicals. A good book, if it is viewed as a starting point for discussions. A risky book, however, if it is viewed as containing all the answers.
Rating:
Summary: A good book -- or a risky book -- it depends.
Review: In the introduction Alister McGrath concisely states his purpose in writing this book. "This study therefore aims to explore the coherence of evangelicalism by bringing out the inner consistency of the evangelical approach and demonstrating the internal contradictions and vulnerabilities of its contemporary rivals." In the remaining five chapters he proceeds to do just that. The first two chapters are devoted to discussing what he considers to be the primary unique cornerstones of evangelicalism: the belief in the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, and a particular and high view of the authority of Scripture. While looking at the uniqueness of Christ he meshes into the discussion modernity's influence on the thinking of the age. He concludes by pointing out the significance of Christ (and evangelicalism's view of Him) in this present context. While looking at the authority of Scripture he examines several alternative approaches to authority, namely, the finding of authority in either culture, experience, reason, or tradition. He concludes that "the evangelical appeal to the authority of Scripture is coherent and informed." In the next three chapters he discusses postliberalism (chapter 3), postmodernism (chapter 4), and religious pluralism (chapter 5). In each case he explains the interaction between the particular "ism" and evangelicalism, and he shows the internal weaknesses of the "ism." In the midst of the discussion, of course, the internal coherence of evangelicalism becomes evident as it is compared to ways of thinking which are fraught with internal problems. My overall reaction to the book is one of satisfaction with McGrath's analysis and his conclusions. Yes, evangelicalism is internally coherent. Yes, evangelicalism's positions hold up against the "isms" of the age. And yes, the "isms" of the age are fraught with internal problems. But as positive as I am with the book overall, I found myself unsatisfied with some of McGrath's statements. I was reminded of my own reaction to Noll's "The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind." During both McGrath and Noll's disassembling of the thinking of the Old Princeton arguments (and any others which are viewed as being linked with the thinking of the Renaissance) we were given no clear replacement. I felt as if I was being told that my automobile was not really functional and that I ought to get rid of it. But, I was never told clearly how I am now supposed to get around town. McGrath leaves me stranded on the roadside especially when he criticizes recent evangelicalism's use of logic. He accuses Carl Henry of raising logical consistency and non-contradiction to the place where they sit in judgement over revelation. McGrath says, "Evangelicals, of all people, cannot allow revelation to be imprisioned within the flawed limits of human reason." He seems to criticize interpretations which, "reduce the meaning of Scripture to 'a grammatically and logically sound propositional statement.'" But what are we to have in its place - an ungrammatical and illogical gurgle? A good book -- undoubtedly disconcerting to those who are banking on the tenants of liberalism and postmodernism, and likewise seen as encouraging by those who consider themselves evangelicals. A good book, if it is viewed as a starting point for discussions. A risky book, however, if it is viewed as containing all the answers.
Rating:
Summary: An Evangelical Lutheran Weighs In
Review: McGrath is very good at what he does, representing a wide segment of Evangelicalism at an intellectual level. Here in this book, McGrath is trying to show that popular evangelicalism has sound theology (but needs more) coherence and contact with academic theology. This sits well with us, his showing both the elitism and the benefits derived from academic theologians. However, his plug that a vacuum exists between an intellectual theology that will hold water and yet at the same time is able to survive among the ordinary believers is even more pertinent. We in Lutheran circles need to heed this advice as well. What is meaningful coming from academic theologians needs to be unloaded so that the person in the pew can digest it. Filters and translators need to be there for this purpose.
Rating:
Summary: An Evangelical Lutheran Weighs In
Review: McGrath is very good at what he does, representing a wide segment of Evangelicalism at an intellectual level. Here in this book, McGrath is trying to show that popular evangelicalism has sound theology (but needs more) coherence and contact with academic theology. This sits well with us, his showing both the elitism and the benefits derived from academic theologians. However, his plug that a vacuum exists between an intellectual theology that will hold water and yet at the same time is able to survive among the ordinary believers is even more pertinent. We in Lutheran circles need to heed this advice as well. What is meaningful coming from academic theologians needs to be unloaded so that the person in the pew can digest it. Filters and translators need to be there for this purpose.
Rating:
Summary: A Promising Approach for Evangelical Theology
Review: This book is a must read for everyone involved in the wide field of evangelical theology. The first reason for this: McGrath takes serious the development of theology and modern thinking as a whole. Consequently he actively faces the questions given in our modern postmodernist and pluralist society from moderate evangelical point of view. Therefore the book lacks the strong apologetic tone of a lot of its evangelical counterparts.Otherwise, McGrath does not shy away from declaring the liberal theology that governs a wide area ofthe academic thinking as outdated and of not much use for today's questions. Interestingly enough he views the so-called postliberal school of theology as the natural ally of evangelicalism. This is of course miles away from any fundamentalist approach of old. The second reason: It grounds theology in a clear commitment in the person of Jesus Christ and the Bible as Holy Scripture. But while this is a clear witness in itself, the reader would wish the critical questions more intensely be tackled. The reader might feel, that McGrath is right in almost all that he says in this part, but may still wonder how these two foundations may be held in dialogue with the critical findings of much of Old and New Testament research. Nevertheless I find McGrath's book as one of the best cases for evangelical theology I've ever read. It seems to me, that he's looking in that direction, towards which evangelical theology is to go if it wants to remain.
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