Customer Reviews

Evangelical Theology in Transition: Theologians in Dialogue with Donald Bloesch

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Professor Donald Bloesch is one of the most influential evangelical theologians in recent years. He is currently at work on a seven volume systematic theology entitled CHRISTIAN FOUNDATIONS.

This work consists of background essays about Prof. Bloesch and discussions of specific aspects of this theology, as well as a response by Prof. Bloesch. As such it is an extremely useful book to read while studying Prof. Bloesch's systematic theology. It is also enjoyable to see Prof. Bloesch's work taken seriously by such well-known names as Avery Dulles and T. F. Torrance.

The book is subtitled EVANGELICAL THEOLOGY IN TRANSITION. This is an appropriate title. Prof. Bloesch is something of a "centrist" theologian whose work falls (broadly speaking) within the Reformed tradition. Prof. Bloesch is heavily influenced by Barth, not generally considered one of the more faithful interpreters of the Reformed tradition (although Barth can be read in many ways). Prof. Bloesch rejects biblical inerrancy as defined by conservatives, supports the ordination of women, accepts the possibility of salvation after death, and is opposed to defining the Trinity as "three separate persons." [pps. 122, 176, 128, 196.] Some people may consider that Prof. Bloesch's theology has "transitioned" into, well, liberalism.

When completed, Prof. Bloesch's systematic theology will have seven volumes. When this work came out, only four of the seven had been published. So we do not get a detailed discussion of Prof. Bloesch's ecclesiology and eschatology. Clark Pinnock's chapter on Prof. Bloesch's doctrine of the Holy Spirit was written before the volume on the subject came out. Hopefully the book will be updated when Prof. Bloesch's magnum opus is completed.