Bloesch, Donald. A Theology of Word and Spirit. Christian Foundations. Downer's Grove, IL: InterVarsity
Press, 1992.
In this first volume in his Christian Foundations series, Bloesch lays the groundwork for the forthcoming volumes, and deals with questions of method and authority. He emphasises, as his title implies, the necessity of both "Word" and "Spirit" and this is an extremely theme that comes out in his writing. Because by this he is asserting a certain paradox within the faith between the rational and congnitive and the spiritual. This is not to assert that the two are not compatible, but that they are sometimes held in tension. This particular view comes out later in his discussions of freedom and sovereignty, as he seeks to hold both together, as important dimensions of the faith. Especially interesting in this volume is an Appendix on Kierkegaard, where Bloesch talks of the importance of Kierkegaard's contribution, and also some of the problems. See the review of Bloesch's God the Almight in the Evangelical Reviews section of the Occasional Reviews Page.
Bloesch, Donald. Holy Scripture: Revelation, Inspiration & Interpretation. Christian Foundations. Downer's
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994.
Bloesch lays out his understanding of scripture in this second volume in his monumental Christian Foundations series. He espouses a view similar to Barth's view that Scripture is not to be identified with the "Word" of God, but is to be seen more as a witness to the word. He does affirm a direct relationship between the two, though, based on the inspiration of scripture. What is his most important contribution though is his assertion that we must not treat Scripture as a storehouse of objectively available propositions, but must affirm the absolutely essential role of the Holy Spirit in bringing the Word to us as readers. Bloesch affirms a very humble approach to the text, in submission to the Spirit, even as he affirms the importance of Scripture as the rule of faith and life. I believe his approach, which is more complicated and eloquent than I have abbreviated it here, is extremely promising, because it maintains the evangelical emphasis on the centrality of scripture, while at the same time is able to interact with modern and postmodern biblical criticism without totally rejecting all of the fruit that it can bring.
Bloesch, Donald. God the Almighty. Christian Foundations. Downer's Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995.
This volume of Bloesch's Christian Foundations series is truly an education in itself. He sets out the major themes in theology, with a sensitive eye to history as well as to current trends, always keeping Scripture close at hand. It is certainly worth adding to your library. Follow the link to a more complete engagement and review.
Feinberg, John S. No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God. Foundations of Evangelical Theology.
Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2001.
In this significant (both in importance and size) work, Feinberg seeks to lay out his formidable understandings concerning the doctrine of God. This entails the undertaking of such issues as creation, divine attributes, and the Trinity. This work pays attention to history, especially recent history, as Feinberg seeks to locate his discussion within the latest developments concerning understandings of God. This includes an extended engagement with and critique of process philosophy and theology. He also gives attention to the relationship of God to time and eternity, and what this means for our understandings. Another major part of this book is Feinberg's delineation and defense of what he terms the "Compatibilist Specific Sovereignty Model" of understanding God. His discussions are thorough, always paying close attention to scripture, and one of the most distinctive features is his obvious philosophical sensitivity in his explanations. This book is truly an education in and of itself. Regardless of whether I finally agree with his "model" or find it too philosophically "neat" to fit in with the antinomy of freedom and sovereignty, his work is definitly clear and is an important statement to be dealt with in our discussions of the identity, nature and activity of God.
Grenz, Stanley. Rediscovering the Trinity. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004.
In this book, Stanley Grenz gives a very clear and insightful overview of Trinitarian theology in the past century. His basic assertion that in the wake of far too many years of neglect, Trinitarian theology has made a very strong comeback. He begins his historical outline with by looking at G. W. F. Hegel and F. D. E. Scheliermacher, on whose coattails this doctrinal rejuvination came. He then looks at Karl Barth and Karl Rahner, the two theological giants who, for Grenz, inaguarated this new move toward Trinitarian theology, with a return to the role of revelationin Trinitarian thought. He then looks at a number of themes that have emerged in Trinitarian thinking in their wake, moving from the Historicizing of the Trinity by Pannenberg, Moltmann, and Jensen, to the relationalizing of the Trinity in Zizioulas, LaCunya, and Leonardo Boff. He then looks at the return of the immanent Trinity after the emphasis on the economic Trinity, by looking at Hans Urs von Balthasar, Elizabeth Johnson, and T. F. Torrance.
Grenz provides a very readable and insightfull telling of this theological story, highlighting the important aspects of these various theological models, uplifting their commonalities, discussing their interrelation and develpment, and also noting their distinctive aspects. It provides very good insight into thinking of God as Trinity. After reading it, it is hard to imagine neglecting the Trinity as an important theological theme, because of his strong demonstration of the integral and fruitful role it has played over the past years. Definitely a book worth reading.
Sanders, John. The God Who Risks: A Theology of Providence. Downer's Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1998.
Sanders is a major proponent of what is often termed the "openness" of God. He advocates an understanding of God and God's activity that acknowledges a genuine openness to human (and non-human) contributions to what occurrs in the world. As his title emphasizes, this means that God undertakes a "risk" through His limitation of His own involvement to include other agents. God does not possess perfect foreknowledge, even though God, being omniscient, can have a relatively clear idea concerning the future. Sanders bases his understanding (focused around how providence is understood) on his readings of both the Old and New Testement texts, which he outlines quite extensively in two chapters dedicated to this task. Sanders then formulates a theology based on this reading which entails a re-understanding of sovereignty to include genuine contribution of humans in a give-and-take relationship in which what God wants does not always come about. Although I am not a strong proponent of the "openness of God" view, I do believe that it has some very important things to say to theology today. It warrants our careful attention, as it uplifts certain themes that have for too long been neglected, such as divine suffering or divine "change." Sanders' book is a very clear and articluate statement of the "openness" position which is sensitive to both theological and philosophical issues, and is worth reading.
Wright, N. T. Jesus and the Victory of God. Christian Origins and the Question of God, vol. 2. Minneapolis: Fortress
Press, 1997.
N. T. Wright's book is truly a monumental work in the study of Jesus. He looks critically at past attempts to use history as a tool for understanding and evaluating Jesus. He then takes a very comprehensive look at Jesus's life and teaching, bringing an immense knowledge of Jesus's setting and timeperiod to bear on the Gospel accounts. It is truly a great study of a variety of the aspects of Jesus's life, his surrounding, his methods, his message, and ultimately his aims and intentions. While certainly not without its weaknesses, it can shed a great light on a number of aspects of Jesus and of the Gospels that could all too easily remain hidden.
Vanhoozer, Kevin. First Theology. Downer's Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1998.
Follow the above link to the full review.
Anthropology
Anderson, Ray. On Being Human: Essays in Theological Anthropology. Grand Rapids, MI:
Eerdmans, 1982.
Anderson deals theologically with what it means to be human. He deals with what it means to be a creature, determined by Word, other and self, and goes into themes if the imago dei. I read the chapter on being human as male and female, and found his analysis very insightful and helpful. He uses the Trinity as a model for a equal yet hierarchical understanding of the sexes. There is also a chapter on human as �fear and trembling� which looks interesting.
Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 1997.
Sexuality is an extremely important issue in the church today, and is growing in to a major source of conflict and division, and in many cases distracts from the gospel focus of the church. Yet, it is an issue of extreme importance, because it has direct bearing on the practice of the church, and rests firmly on how we understand and interpret Scripture. Grenz presents in this book an "evangelical" perspective on these issues. He begins with a positive statement of his understandings of sexuality, and what this means for humankind as creation. He then extends his discussion to sexuality and marriage. This includes issues of fidelity, divorce and reproductive issues as well. He then looks at issues of singleness, such as celibacy, sexual expression and homosexuality. Grenz should certainly emerge as an important evangelical voice in this ongoing discussion, because he undertakes his discussion with love as well as faithfulness to the gospel and to Scripture. I believe his discussion helps us to place these issues in proper context, adhering to what is essential even as we acknowledge the "penultimate" nature of sexuality and sexual ethics.
Science and Theology
Padgett, Alan. Science and the Study of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003.
In this very readable contribution to this rapidly growing field, Alan Padgett has outlined a very insightful, philosophically adept model for understanding the relationship between science and theology. Padgett proposes that a mutuality model be used for understanding this relationship, understood through a collegial metaphor. Science and theology are to be colleages working together in conversation, mutually contributing in their own unique way, each influencing the other. He illustrates very helpfully how this can work by looking at thermodynamics and theology on the issue of time, and looking at theology and historical science on the issue of the incarnation. Both analyses prove very insightful, and demonstrate the promise that this model entails. This book should be read by all in the field, and all who are interested in this set of issues, because Padgett brings a level head and a very positive yet critical approach to the promise of this field.
Polkinghorne, John C. �The Quantum World.� In Physics, Philosophy and Theology: A Common Quest for
Understanding. R. J. Russell, et. al., eds. Vatican City State: Vatican Observatory, 1988.
This article is a very good short treatment of quantum physics. He describes what quantum physics is, and what it means (or doesn�t mean) for theology. The title of his last section, �The Non-Consequences of Quantum Theory,� is very instructive as to how he sees quantum theory appropriated in theology: cautiously.
Yu, Carver T. �The Principle of Relativity as a Conceptual Tool in Theology.� In
Science and Theology: Questions at the Interface. Murray Ray, et. al., eds.
Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.
In this article, Yu addresses the applicability of relativity to understandings of theology. Especially pertinent is his discussion of the contrast between relativity and relativism. He asserts that the two could not be more opposite, and that drawing a connection between them is a total misuse of Einstein�s theory, which he wished he had named the �theory of invariance� instead. Einstein�s theory is not saying that what appears true to you is true for you, but instead asserts that appearances can be deceiving. He also discusses the absolute verses the relative. Two responses to his article are included in the book. Yu is head of the department of Religion and Philosophy at Hong Kong Baptist College.
Theodicy
Hall, Douglas John. God & Human Suffering: An Exercise in the Theology of the Cross. Minneapolis:
Augsburg, 1986.
In this book, Hall undertakes the problem of suffering as it relates to our understandings of God. Especially interesting in this book is his analysis of suffering as being both a pre- and post-fall reality. He distinguishes between different types of suffering, between suffering that is becoming and suffering that is burden. This book certainly makes a worthwhile read for anyone that is interested in the "problem of evil," as it is frequently talked about, because he lays out the landscape for the discussion with clarity. His final conclusions on the matter surround an appeal to the nature of freedom, and to the limitation of divine power in service to "relationship." Thus I believe he has some very helpful things to say, although I think he is too quick to discount divine sovereignty as problematic, and as incompatible with human freedom. Thus, I agree with him that suffering is part of freedom, and freedom is necessary for genuine relationship, but I do not believe God is helpless in the face of suffering, nor that God is "off the hook" through this particular conclusion so easily, for we must not set freedom against sovereignty, but something that is coincident with it.
Martin Luther
Kittelson, James M. Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1986.
Kittelson gives us a very readable and insightful biography of Martin Luther. He pays careful attention to who Luther was, and chronicles the story of his life. Yet, this biography also serves as a great introduction to the important theological elements of his life and thought, for Kittelson pays attention to the events that informed Luther's theological developments, and the content and results of that theology. A highly readable book, which gives much deserved attention to this prophet of the gospel.
Schwarz, Hans. True Faith in the True God: An Introduction to Luther's Life and Thought. Minneapolis: Augsburg,
1996.
Schwarz provides an introduction to the theology of Martin Luther by outlining the important features of Luther's theology. He begins with a brief overview of Luther's life, and then develops ten important features of Luther's theology in relatively short and concise chapters which are sprinkled with quotations from Luther's own writings. A helpful introductino to the contours of Luther's theology.
Miscellaneous
Dickerson, Matthew. Following Gandalf. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos, 2004.
Dickerson is a professor of English, and a life-long lover of Tolkien. In this book, he looks at the theological world of Tolkien's writing. In doing this, he takes up very insightfully the often problematic role of war in the books, analyzing how Tolkien understood, used, and wrote about war in his fiction. He then moves on to look at the theology which Tolkien wove into his works, and looks also at the convictions and methodology behind it. It is an extremely readable and enjoyable book that shows the amazing depth of Tolkien's world, and the profound insight that permeates its pages. Dickerson shows an immense knowledge of Tolkien and his writings, as well as of the pertinent theological issues and the questions people bring to the book.
Fraser, Elouise Renich. Confessions of a Beginning Theologian. Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 1998.
Fraser speaks very candidly and simply about what it means to become a theologian, and how one gets there. The first chapter is especially perceptive and piercing, as she talks about what it means to become a beginner, and how we must become beginners (continually) as we pursue theological education. Other themes she deals with are theological commitments, befriending the Bible, reading theological texts, theological etiquette, developing theological imagination, and speaking in my own voice. What I have read has been extremely helpful!
Peterson, Eugene H. Take & Read: Spiritual Reading: An Annotated List. Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995.
Peterson gives an annotated list of books he recommends for �spiritual� reading. It includes classics, prayers, spiritual formation, poets, novelists, mysteries, commentaries, sin and the devil, etc. This book provides a great guide for future reading, and could be a helpful resource for discovering new books and new genres of literature and spirituality that you may have missed.