Customer Reviews

Integrative Theology

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

Okay, I'll confess up front that I am a former student of the authors, but that was before this book came out. As a student I appreciated the theological method modeled by Professors Demarest and Lewis, as it had the virtue of teaching the student how to think theologically, testing various theories against different alternatives as well as Scripture. They didn't just teach theology. They taught us how to DO theology. None of this simply memorizing and parroting back canned answers. Now, as a professor and practicing theologian my appreciation of the method has increased to the point that it has highly influenced my own theology text, to be released in Brazil (in Portuguese) later this year. I have found that students respond with enthusiasm to this type of presentation, as it brings theology to the heart of their world, and allows them to really engage the issues. Simply put, Integrative Theology is the best text available for providing a comprehensive treatment of how the task of Christian dogmatics can be a world view building enterprise. It's a great way to learn (and teach) theology and that alone merits five stars.

However, there is more than just that. The content and insight into historical, biblical and philosophical issues are a great way to demonstrate how the various disciplines in the seminary curriculum should come together in a balanced manner. Too often these disciplines ignore each other, or are outright antagonistic. Here the tendency of biblical theology to atomize the text and the tendency of philosophical theology to launch off into unbridled abstractions, divorced from revelation, are both avoided. Instead, you get a warm and practical treatment of relevant issues as the traditional loci of doctrines are developed.

As for the complaint of some reviewers that there is some sacrifice of depth and rigor, it must be kept in mind that a key part of the authors' purpose is to provide an introductory seminary level textbook. After spending the past three years working on such a text, I can testify that there are just some things you have to leave out, or at least treat with less detail, lest the discussion go over the head of your intended audience. Readers and students can make up for the lack by pursuing more advanced reading in the references, or taking upper level seminary courses. With Integrative Theology as a background, they'll have much easier going doing so. It's a great starting point for aspiring theologians, or laypeople who simply want to deepen their understanding of the scope of Christian doctrine. You may not always agree with their conclusions on every position, but you will come away being challenged to think it through for yourself and arrive at a coherent view that will deepen your understanding of divine truth. This book belongs in the library of every pastor and serious layperson.

Gordon Lewis and Bruce Demarest were for many years full-time colleagues in Systematic Theology at Denver Seminary. Dr. Lewis is now Professor Emeritus and Dr. Demarest is half-time, still teaching in the area of spiritual formation. Both are good friends and cherished colleagues. The strength and uniqueness of Integrative Theology is its "verificational" or hypothesis-testing approach. Ask any classical theological question (or a new one for that matter!) and, to test the validity of the various possible answers that have been given or might be given, one must survey the Scriptural data, book-by-book, passage-by-passage, interpreting each text in its original context, then look at the main ways answers have been formulated throughout church history and why, then create one's own systematic synthesis of all of the relevant Scriptural data as informed by the various readings of history into what seems to be the most internally coherent and consistent whole, as well as corresponding to any external evidence that may bear on the question, along with that which is existentially viable, i.e., livable. A wonderful bonus are the short sections of application or contemporary significance at the end of each topic that the authors filter through this multi-step grid.

I really appreciate the work. I was teaching trough Wayne Grudem's "Systematic Theology" when the footnotes mentioned this book. The approach made me an instant student of the histtory of theology and the church fathers, whereas I was not interested in, nor had the time needed to try to search out what has been said in history on these various subjects. These authors gave me a great foundation in learning to use these various disciplines to do theology.

The author's state in the Preface to Volume 1, "The integrative approach to theology proposed in this volume thus may be summarized by six key phrases: The Problem; Historical Hypotheses; Biblical Teaching; Systematic Formulation; Apologetic Interaction; and Relevance for Life and Ministry." They continue, "The approach of integrative theology may be superior to traditional systematic theology for several reasons. The latter (1) usually does not develop a comprehensive history of the doctrine with a view to identifying hypotheses to be tested; (2) often does not follow the method of biblical theology but relies on proof-texting without the developmental context; (3) may not employ a comprehensive test for truth and thus not attain a high degree of objective validity in deciding which proposal is true and which views are spurious; (4) may not defend each doctrine in interaction with opposing views; and (5) may not show the relevance of each doctrinal issue for Christian life in the church and in the world."

One can't adequately summarize a nearly 1500-page book in the confines of an Amazon review, but here are some choice quotes:

"in issues regarding science and the Bible a moderate concordism is well supported" (V1, pg. 164)
"How long the earth 'was formless and unihabited' we have no way of telling. The Bible has not told us." (V2, pg. 38)
"scientific creationists face a stupendous task if they are adequately to support the hypothesis that the one flood accounts for all the observable geological evidence by observable evidence from all areas universally." (V2, pg. 47)
"The Spirit's internal call is EFFECTUAL, but not irresistible." (V3, pg. 55)
"Theonomy does not adequately distinguish God's kingdom from the nation-state of Israel." (V3, pg. 351)

The authors are also Premillenial (V3, pg. 409) and pretribulational (V3, pg. 487).

This book deserves a place in every theological library.

Do you have questions about your faith as a Christian? Have you been a Christian for some time, and you want to deep, really deep, with God? This set of books (now sold as a bundle of the original three volumes) is an excellent place to start. Lewis and Demarest have taken a six-step approach to analyzing topics ranging from "God: An Active and Personal Spirit" through a detailed examination of "Salvation by Faith." The reader is not only pointed to the scriptures, but to history and church tradition. Common doctrinal objections are also presented and defended. Finally, the remaining truths are presented and applied to the Christian life. This isn't a book to sit and read in an afternoon or a week. It's a book to study, to learn and to help you grow deep in your faith. Scott Advan

I am not one of former students of Demarest or Lewis, so I do have a loyalty bias. I have no personal relationships with the authors though I have read a few of Demarest's books this year. If you are looking for a good comprehensive volume for reference this may be the book for you. It is very thorough and very detailed. It covers an amazing mountain of material. On the down side it will put you to sleep in two or three pages, because it is a dry as a dinosaur bone. I do not expect theologies to be exciting, by no means, but this one should be taken in small doses in my opinion and I am not a novice in the field. If you are new to theological studies, consider a simpler, less thorough volumes, this one is good but tough to chew on. So that being said, undergraduate students and "armature theologians" beware...

Integrative Theology, by Gordon R. Lewis & Bruce A. Demarest, is the best theological textbook I have read.* Having gone through the "Three Volumes in One" edition twice, I plan to read it again someday. I recommend it for beginning students as well as experts. To my knowledge, no other book on systematic theology of comparable length contains so much useful information in such a usable and readable format.

Integrative Theology combines several strengths to produce a powerful impact: authors Demarest and Lewis bring complementary competence to make a whole grater than its parts; their method (described below) offers conceptual controls that protect against personal bias and dogmatism; clear organization, supplemented by several indices, make for easy access. Elegant, sometimes eloquent, writing prevents boredom for the reader.

Integrative Theology employs a method that I find extremely helpful and persuasive. For each theological "topic" (such as the Trinity), the questions surrounding the doctrine are first clearly stated. Then, various representative positions held by different thinkers throughout the history of Christianity are succinctly and fairly presented, resulting in a brief survey of what is called Historical Theology.

Next comes a very careful examination of the Scripture passages that bear on the subject in a treatment that honors the findings of Biblical Theology. That is, Old and New Testament are treated separately. Within them, the Pentateuch, historical books, wisdom literature, and prophets; Synoptic Gospels, Johannine literature, Pauline epistles, Luke's writings, and other apostolic letters are allowed to speak to the matter in their own particular style (genre). You will find no out-of-context "proof-texting" here. With only a couple of exceptions, I thought that all their exegesis was right on target.

Having allowed other theologians and the Bible to speak, the authors then present their own "Systematic Formulation" - Systematic Theology proper, if you will. Though Demarest and Lewis expound a clear position, they are never rigid or arrogant; when disagreeing with others, they do so with respect. To give an example: I do not agree with their pre-tribulation, pre-millennial eschatology, but at no point did I think their exposition lacked either scriptural warrant or ignorance of other views.

In the section called "Apologetic Interaction," they engage in both elenchics (debate with other "Christian" positions) and apologetics (debate with non-Christian views). Again, though they do not compromise what they consider to be biblical teaching, they display courtesy as they refute others.

Believing that theology must be practical in order to be true to the Bible, they complete their study of each topic with a substantial discussion of its "Relevance for Life and Service." They would surely agree with James that "faith without works is dead," and strive energetically to bring theology out of the ivory tower and into daily life. Experienced teachers that they are, the authors then conclude with "Discussion Topics," questions for thought and further conversation with fellow students.

Each "Volume" is followed by copious notes which refer the reader to the sources they have quoted and often carry the discussion further.

Does Integrative Theology have any flaws? I can think of only two: As I said above, it seems to me that their eschatology does not adequately account for the strengths of the amillennial argument. As a consequence, they have little to say about the new heaven and new earth as the consummation of God's redemptive design.

The only other thing is a brief criticism of Carl Henry (among others) in Chapter One that is unwarranted, incorrect, apparently self-serving, and quite surprising, because throughout Integrative Theology they refer to Henry's magnum opus, God, Revelation, & Authority, with appreciation.

Overall, however, Integrative Theology remains my favorite theological textbook.

*Disclaimer: I have not read some other very fine and deservedly popular theology textbooks as thoroughly as I have this work. My praise of Integrative Theology is not meant in any way to disparage the value of books such as those by Millard Erickson, John Frame, Wayne Grudem, Douglas Kelly, or Robert Reymond, all of which possess great merit.

G. Wright Doyle, M.Div., Ph.D.

Director, China Institute , Charlottesville, Virginia.

Formerly Associate Professor of Greek and New Testament, China Evangelical Seminary, Taipei, Taiwan; instructor in New Testament and Systematic Theology, China Evangelical Seminary - North American Campus; guest professor, China Reformed Theological Seminary, Taipei, and Reformed Theological Seminary - Washington, D.C.

The content is fine. The packaging, however, is obese and pretentious. Recommend cutting it into more manageable sections: 3 volumes in 3.