22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simplicity, Depth, and Scope, October 28, 2005
This review is from: New Dictionary of Theology (Hardcover)
By way of introduction, Christians will sometimes confuse a Dictionary of Theology with a Bible Dictionary. A Dictionary of Theology describes how theologians have thought about Biblical themes during the past 2,000 years. A Bible Dictionary merely describes such themes (and names and places) as they appear in the Bible. So, for instance, "Benedict" would not appear in a Bible Dictionary, while "Rome" might not appear in a Dictionary of Theology.
I found that there was, generally speaking, great clarity of writing, a healthy avoidance of overly technical language, and little if any sacrifice of content in the process. The Dictionary is encouragingly up to date, while not overlooking older subjects, such as Arianism. Yet there are some puzzling omissions, such as Postmodern Theology. However, the book clearly needed to make choices, and, by and large, they would seem to have been the right ones. The Dictionary often includes characteristic quotations of theologians through the ages. It also contains vital bibliographies at the end of each entry, and it is cross-referenced throughout. It can rarely be said to favour a particular point of view, although there are a few amusing exceptions by seemingly irritated contributors, such as a reference to "much faddishness" in Contemporary Theological Trends.
Upon opening the book, it is immediately obvious that the publishers have decided to give a thorough treatment to just a few select topics. By "a few", I mean between six and seven hundred. Thus the range of topics is inevitably limited, and there surely would be no perfect selection. What I did miss was an index at the back. For instance, Gustavo Gutierrez appears in the book, but only under Liberation Theology. If one did not have a reasonably good idea of where to look, one might be thoroughly stuck for certain information. Sometimes (but not always), the Dictionary smoothed over major distinctives in the Church, which is precisely where one might wish to see some detail. So, for instance, the seven sacraments of Roman Catholic theology are referred to vaguely as "sources of truth". With language like this, it may be hard to discern what is meant at all.
In its definition of theology, the New Dictionary of Theology quotes Thomas Aquinas: "Theology is taught by God, teaches of God, and leads to God." That, too, would seem to be the general understanding and emphasis of the book. All in all, it is readable and useful, and not least, it has been reprinted nine times in the past seventeen years, which surely cannot be a bad recommendation.
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17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tremendous overall value, March 6, 1999
This review is from: New Dictionary of Theology (Hardcover)
Excellent resourse! One of the very best, single volume theological dictionaries available. For the size, one of the most concise packages of information. If your interest is in theology, this would be an excellent choice!
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8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent resource!, November 16, 2005
This review is from: New Dictionary of Theology (Hardcover)
I am a former graduate from a Christian University. Throughout my tenure there I took several theology courses, a half dozen bible courses and even more ministry courses as my degree was in Church Education. There are so many theological terms and research one would be forced to do at college, that are often absent from a hands on position in a local church. This all depends on the church and denomination. Fundemantalists generally value theology, while some of the mainline charismatic churches value practice over theology.
I can say that this theological reference as been a great asset to me to aid in my online debates with Atheists, cults and the like [...]. It also has been a great asset to my website where I am creating a bible curriculum (http://johnw.freeshell.org/bible/published_works.htm).
Previously to owning this book I only had a Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. Such a reference was useful only for simple definitions of huge terms. But know since owning the New Dictionary of Theology I can gain far more depth on these and many more terms, that are absent from bible dictionaries and the simple pocket theological dictionaries.
Sabellianism
Systematic Theology
Pantheism
Transubstantiation
The theological views of some of the mainline denominations
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