A Passion for Truth: The Intellectual Coherence of Evangelicalism (Theology) [Paperback]

Alister McGrath (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 1999 | Series: Theology

Voted one of Christianity Today's 1997 Books of the Year! Decades ago, evangelicalism was given up for dead in the academy. But since World War II, evangelical intellectualism has made a surprising comeback. Esteem has been regained especially in such disciplines as history and philosophy. Now evangelical theologians are making their bid for academic respectability. A Passion for Truth, written by one of evangelicalism's outstanding younger theologians, seeks to show that the movement has in its heritage excellent resources to engage the scholarly debates of the day. McGrath first sets forth the constructive ground on which evangelicalism stands, then shows how this revivified school of thought might respond to such important theological and cultural realities as postmodernism, religious pluralism and postliberalism. His book is fresh and exciting evidence that evangelicalism is coming of age.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

An intellectual circling of the wagons, this combative book targets progressive church leaders, such as Bishop John Spong; liberal academic theologians, such as David Tracy; and pluralist philosophers of religion, such as John Hick. As McGrath notes in the conclusion to his chapter on postmodernism, the book is directed to those inside the circle and to potentially sympathetic bystanders. That the circle is undeniably influential ensures the book a significant audience. McGrath's characterizations of postliberalism, postmodernism, and religious pluralism will teach readers more about Evangelicalism than about the movements in question--but that is not necessarily a weakness. To the extent that McGrath's purpose is to demonstrate "coherence," circling the wagons is entirely appropriate. What that means for academic Evangelicalism is, however, problematic. If academic controversy is war by other means, McGrath's book could play a significant role in rallying evangelical forces--to withstand a siege or to storm the gates of "liberal" academia. But intellectuals organically related to McGrath's circle will need to cultivate a degree of humility if they expect "conversation" with the outside to be more than an exchange of gunfire. Steve Schroeder --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 287 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic; Peint On Demand Edition edition (July 12, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830815910
• ISBN-13: 978-0830815913
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,154,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alister E. McGrath is a historian, biochemist, and Christian theologian born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A longtime professor at Oxford University, he now holds the chair in theology, ministry, and education at the University of London. He is the author of several books on theology and history, including Christianity's Dangerous Idea, In the Beginning, and The Twilight of Atheism. He lives in Oxford, England, and lectures regularly in the United States.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book -- or a risky book -- it depends., December 6, 1999

By 

C. Boone (Allentown, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Passion for Truth: The Intellectual Coherence of Evangelicalism (Hardcover)

In the introduction Alister McGrath concisely states his purpose in writing this book. "This study therefore aims to explore the coherence of evangelicalism by bringing out the inner consistency of the evangelical approach and demonstrating the internal contradictions and vulnerabilities of its contemporary rivals." In the remaining five chapters he proceeds to do just that. The first two chapters are devoted to discussing what he considers to be the primary unique cornerstones of evangelicalism: the belief in the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, and a particular and high view of the authority of Scripture. While looking at the uniqueness of Christ he meshes into the discussion modernity's influence on the thinking of the age. He concludes by pointing out the significance of Christ (and evangelicalism's view of Him) in this present context. While looking at the authority of Scripture he examines several alternative approaches to authority, namely, the finding of authority in either culture, experience, reason, or tradition. He concludes that "the evangelical appeal to the authority of Scripture is coherent and informed." In the next three chapters he discusses postliberalism (chapter 3), postmodernism (chapter 4), and religious pluralism (chapter 5). In each case he explains the interaction between the particular "ism" and evangelicalism, and he shows the internal weaknesses of the "ism." In the midst of the discussion, of course, the internal coherence of evangelicalism becomes evident as it is compared to ways of thinking which are fraught with internal problems. My overall reaction to the book is one of satisfaction with McGrath's analysis and his conclusions. Yes, evangelicalism is internally coherent. Yes, evangelicalism's positions hold up against the "isms" of the age. And yes, the "isms" of the age are fraught with internal problems. But as positive as I am with the book overall, I found myself unsatisfied with some of McGrath's statements. I was reminded of my own reaction to Noll's "The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind." During both McGrath and Noll's disassembling of the thinking of the Old Princeton arguments (and any others which are viewed as being linked with the thinking of the Renaissance) we were given no clear replacement. I felt as if I was being told that my automobile was not really functional and that I ought to get rid of it. But, I was never told clearly how I am now supposed to get around town. McGrath leaves me stranded on the roadside especially when he criticizes recent evangelicalism's use of logic. He accuses Carl Henry of raising logical consistency and non-contradiction to the place where they sit in judgement over revelation. McGrath says, "Evangelicals, of all people, cannot allow revelation to be imprisioned within the flawed limits of human reason." He seems to criticize interpretations which, "reduce the meaning of Scripture to 'a grammatically and logically sound propositional statement.'" But what are we to have in its place - an ungrammatical and illogical gurgle? A good book -- undoubtedly disconcerting to those who are banking on the tenants of liberalism and postmodernism, and likewise seen as encouraging by those who consider themselves evangelicals. A good book, if it is viewed as a starting point for discussions. A risky book, however, if it is viewed as containing all the answers.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must reading for Evangelical intellectuals, September 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Passion for Truth: The Intellectual Coherence of Evangelicalism (Hardcover)

Alister McGrath is now one of the most influential Evangelical theologians in the world. Among his numerous books,this book is one of my favourites. A few years ago, Mark Noll wrote a book on the scandalous situation of Evangelical mind. In contrast, this book is cellebrating the intellectual coherence and consistency of Evangelical theology. This is a must reading for those concerned with the intellectual viability of Evangelicalism. In Introduction, McGrath traces the origins and causes of disreputation of Evangelicalism in terms of its intellectual and academic appeal. McGrath urges Evangelicals to move beyond the past defensiveness and toward the active engagement with academic world. For McGrath, intellectual coherence of Evangelicalism is grounded upon its two truth claims about Jesus Christ and Scripture. Jesus Christ is the unique, in that sense, the absolute Truth. This means that a particular and historical person rather than a universal axiom or proposition has the right to be the Truth. In addition,Scripture as the Word of God has supreme authority to witness the Truth. McGrath stresses the trustworthiness of the record of Scripture. In Chapter three, McGrath compares Evalgelicalism with post-liberalism of Yale school. In his view, there are many similarities between them despite some crucial differences. He sees post-liberalism as a potential ally for the witness of the Truth. In Chapter four, he debunks the intellectual weaknesses of post-modernism, arguing that Evangelicalism can enjoy the intellectual viability in the post-modern world. In Chapter five, he criticises religious pluralism of its intellectual inconsistency and presents Evangelicalsim as a viable alternative. I am convinced that those who are concerned with the academic appeal of Evangelicalism must read this book. This book is a very useful guide for those Evangelicals who are engaged with varous confronting truth claims in academic and intellectual world.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Promising Approach for Evangelical Theology, May 1, 2000

By 

HealingCross - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Passion for Truth: The Intellectual Coherence of Evangelicalism (Theology) (Paperback)

This book is a must read for everyone involved in the wide field of evangelical theology. The first reason for this: McGrath takes serious the development of theology and modern thinking as a whole. Consequently he actively faces the questions given in our modern postmodernist and pluralist society from moderate evangelical point of view. Therefore the book lacks the strong apologetic tone of a lot of its evangelical counterparts.Otherwise, McGrath does not shy away from declaring the liberal theology that governs a wide area ofthe academic thinking as outdated and of not much use for today's questions. Interestingly enough he views the so-called postliberal school of theology as the natural ally of evangelicalism. This is of course miles away from any fundamentalist approach of old. The second reason: It grounds theology in a clear commitment in the person of Jesus Christ and the Bible as Holy Scripture. But while this is a clear witness in itself, the reader would wish the critical questions more intensely be tackled. The reader might feel, that McGrath is right in almost all that he says in this part, but may still wonder how these two foundations may be held in dialogue with the critical findings of much of Old and New Testament research. Nevertheless I find McGrath's book as one of the best cases for evangelical theology I've ever read. It seems to me, that he's looking in that direction, towards which evangelical theology is to go if it wants to remain.