The Great Theologians: A Brief Guide [Paperback]

Gerald R. McDermott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 8, 2010

Who are the church's great theologians? What was special about their teaching? What can we learn from them today? Gerald McDermott has written this book for those who want a solid introduction that is challenging, but not overwhelming. Provocative but satisfying. And not too long. McDermott not only informs us about eleven pivotal theologians from Origen to von Balthasar, but helps us sort out what is of continuing value today. With study questions at the end of each chapter, this book is perfect for small groups to go through together. As you do, you'll explore your shared theological history and uncover more about what and why you believe. Here's your chance to think with "the greats" about God.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For many the 'great theologians' seem intimidating. Yet McDermott offers reliable guidance to the uninitiated, making their thought accessible to readers who have never cracked open Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica or John Calvin's Institutes. His presentation of eleven theologians' lives, loves, careers, books, insights, quirks and bloopers is engaging and--dare one say it?--entertaining. This slender volume offers a draft of pure water for the theological soul, and will leave its readers thirsting for more." (Michael McClymond, Department of Theology, Saint Louis University )

"This handy volume offers an excellent introduction to some of the leading theologians in the history of the church--a wonderful guide to what the theologians call the 'Great Tradition.' If you have been looking for something to help you understand the thought of these titans, search no further. McDermott's book is what you need." (Douglas A. Sweeney, Professor of Church History and History of Christian Thought Director, Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding,Trinity Evangelical Divinity School )

"First-rate scholar Gerald McDermott employs effective prose without becoming prosaic and so provides us a wonderfully catholic and evangelical book that gives Christian theology its proper place in renewal for the health of the church." (John H. Armstrong, President, ACT 3, and author of Your Church Is Too Small )

"In this excellent guide McDermott introduces outsiders to some of the heroes of his theological tribe. His writing is clear and lively, his selection ecumenical, his assessments judicious. Every Christian is a theologian, called to speak to and about God, and The Great Theologians will make many Christians better theologians by sharing the wisdom the Spirit has disclosed to these notable theologians." (Peter J. Leithart, Senior Fellow, New St. Andrews College, Moscow, Idaho, and author of Solomon Among the Postmoderns )

Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (February 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830838759
• ISBN-13: 978-0830838752
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #317,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom in a multitude of counselors, June 13, 2010

By 

Michael Dalton (Eureka, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Great Theologians: A Brief Guide (Paperback)

In The Great Theologians: A Brief Guide, Gerald R. McDermott provides "a short and accessible introduction to some of the greatest theologians - so that any thinking Christian" can "get a ballpark idea of what is distinctive to each."

Do we need to read and study what the great minds of the church have said? McDermott answers, "Ignoring the great and godly minds of the church - who have been ruminating on God for thousands of years - when we have them at our fingertips through books and even the Internet seems to be a kind of arrogance and presumption." He likens comparing our thoughts with theirs as iron sharpening iron (Prov. 27:17 KJV). By studying their works we can learn what theology is best.

The author chose eleven individuals who, in his opinion, had the greatest influence on the development of Christian thought. This does not mean that all of them had good theology. Friedrich Schleiermacher gave rise to liberal theology, but understanding his thought is important to comprehending the strange turns taken by modern theology.

Each chapter covers a different individual and begins with a story about the person's life, highlighting important events. This leads to a review of the main themes in their thinking. The author then zeroes in on one theme that is distinctive to that individual and examines it in detail. He concludes each section with lessons we can learn, a brief selection from the person's writings, questions for reflection and discussion, and a list of resources for further reading.

The author's knowledge of the subject matter, his eye for important details, his skill as a writer and his wisdom in providing practical application make this a delight to read. Even though I had read about most of these individuals before, I gained new insights. I marvel at the wealth of useful information to ponder.

As I read about Calvin I was struck by the comfort that can come through knowing God's sovereignty. The author writes, "If I know that a tragic event in my life was permitted by God, I can be assured that God meant it for good. I might not understand why this thing was permitted, but at least I will have the comfort knowing that in the long run things will be better because of it."

What a surprise to learn that Jonathan Edwards, best known for the sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," was obsessed by God's beauty more than his wrath. McDermott summarizes Edwards' thought on the subject: "The essence of true religious experience is to be overwhelmed by a glimpse of the beauty of God, to be drawn to the glory of his perfections and to sense his irresistible love."

Years of experience have taught me the truth of John Henry Newman's disciplina arcani, or "method of keeping sacred things secret." McDermott summarizes what Evangelicals and Lutherans can learn from it: "Too often we have thrown pearls before swine in our evangelism and Christian education.... We Christians generally have been too willing to blabber the mysteries of the faith to anyone we can get to listen, forgetting that `the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God ... and he is not able to understand them' (1 Cor. 2:4). We have both said too much (when we explain the intricacies of atonement and justification to unbelievers) and too little (reducing the gospel and all the Bible to justification by faith)."

In describing how Athanasius defeated the Arians, the author makes a useful observation, "Sometimes it is necessary to use an unbiblical word such as Trinity to teach properly and clearly a biblical concept." He follows with a revealing thought indicative of his personal leaning, "This is also why theology is necessary and the Bible alone is not enough - it needs an orthodox community and tradition to interpret it." Some Evangelicals may take issue with that last thought, but this book makes a strong case for it.

McDermott's background as a professor of religion and philosophy at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia, and a teaching pastor at St. John Lutheran Church have shaped his perspective. His appeal is to the collective wisdom of the church rather than to one segment. "The Great Tradition," led by the orthodox thinkers in this book, provides a means to rightly assess the many competing ideologies that we face today.

Though all great theologians fall short in some ways, McDermott persuades readers that they have something to teach us. We see through the development of doctrine how theologians develop, supplement and correct one another. McDermott advocates learning from this heritage with humility and attentiveness that we might see our own shortcomings. This is an excellent introductory guide that is highly readable.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Theology for the rest of the world, December 14, 2010

By 

Emily - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Theologians: A Brief Guide (Paperback)

As interested in the "greats" of Christian theology as I am, I was intimidated by the sheer vastness of the field. I didn't know where to begin. No matter what I read, it seemed that each theologian referred to the works of yet another theologian I had never heard of. Fortunately this book gives a concise, well-balanced, and interesting overview of the main theologians. After reading this book, I have a better understanding of the history of both the Christian church, and the Western world as a whole. For the time-pressed college student, or anyone who wants to know more about theology but lacks the time, this book is a great place to start. It's a fairly easy read, and I would say that even some high school students might be able to handle it.

Furthermore, it has whet my appetite, and I've moved on to reading a biography and the sermons of Jonathan Edwards, one of the theologians outlined in the book. This book is theology for those of us who aren't in seminary. Great stuff.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very brief guide., July 22, 2010

By 

Jeffrey A. Thompson (Iowa City, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Theologians: A Brief Guide (Paperback)

McDermott gives a very succinct and a very readable chapter on each of the lives and theologies of eleven great theologians: Origen, Athanasius, Augustine, Augustine, Calvin, Edwards, Schleiermacher, Newman, Barth and Von Balthasar. Each chapter starts with a biographical sketch. It then covers the major themes of thought of the theologian. Third, the chapter covers the distinctive theme for that theologian. The rest of the chapter has a section on what we can learn from the theologian, a short selection from one of the works of the theologian, a few discussion questions and finally some recommended readings.

McDermott's writing is easy to read and is very enthusiastic about theology. He brings out the strengths of the theologian and some of the problems. However, he always has irenic tone to his writing. I've read most of the theologians and for a brief summary, McDermott's does a very good job about bringing out the main themes of the theologians. His chapter on Edwards is my favorite because he brought out how Edwards focused on the beauty of God rather than the wrath of God in his work. People who know only Edwards's sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" might be surprised by that observation. I found his biographical sketch of Calvin a little too simplistic, but his summary of his theology was good. The final chapter is about how we can learn from all the theologians and use the "Great Tradition". I would equate "Great Tradition" to C. S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity." The suggestions are valid, but I think has some problems as well. Some of the true contributions of these theologians come from heights the theologians climbed and not the common grounds where ecumenical theology treads.

In summary, the book would be excellent for small group discussions to learn about Church history or theology. McDermott handles the theological discussions in a simple, but I think fairly accurate way. The chapters are short and the insights are very good. The book is fun and it holds the readers' interest.