Reviews for Theological and Religious Reference Materials: General Resources and Biblical Studies, Vol. 1

The average rating for Theological and Religious Reference Materials: General Resources and Biblical Studies, Vol. 1 based on 2 reviews is 2 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2012-03-05 00:00:00 George Egan A theological anthology from the late 20th century, Grace Unlimited is a masterful answer to the "Sovereignty of God" emphasis of that era. Taking its cue from the Calvinist acronym TULIP (Total depravity of humankind, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints), the movement essentially defined "sovereignty" as equivalent to mechanistic determination. Such a simplistic conflation brings up a ton of questions because it discounts "free will" by essentially redefining it and essentially makes God responsible for evil. Of course, the doctrine of "total depravity" as taught by ultra-Calvinists has always seemed problematic for me, as well. It seems to posit a necessary dualism between matter and spiritual existence that doesn't seem consistent with the biblical perspective. Frankly, I find myself much more comfortable with the perspective found in this volume. One is barely into this work than a marvelous definition of grace is presented as a quality where the Giver enables the receiver both to receive a gift and to pass it along (p. 24). The importance of this definition is vital because the opponents of the theologians in this book have always tried to tie the idea of grace available to everyone with the idea that it must then be works which actuate the grace. The authors in this book make it clear from the beginning that God is the Initiator and God enables the transaction to take place. Yet, God does not initiate with "brute force." "To treat God's grace as if it were irresistible will asserting itself robs grace of all its glory." (p. 92) Indeed, one of the final essays in the book illustrates the difference between foreknowledge and brute force via the idea of Science. "Scientifically, knowledge is imperative for predictive power, but no one surely would say that the knowledge, which enables scientists to predict future events, 'causes' future events." (p. 256) If you've only been exposed to the ultra-Calvinists who speak of "double predestination" where some are damned and some are chosen by the fiat of God, you should check out this volume. It presents both the rationale behind and the failures of that view. Grace Unlimited doesn't follow the Calvinist road and it even undermines the "proof texts" generally used for the Calvinist principles.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-10-05 00:00:00 Jessica Ashcraft I absolutely loved reading Bockmuehl's book, and yet, it is not without it's drawbacks. The content is excellent. The structure makes little sense to me at all. As I see it, the book has two major aims: critique modern biblical studies, and appeal for a renewed commitment to theological readings. This commitment should mirror the nature of reading the New Testament for its first readers. All of this is covered phenomenally well in the first 2/3 of the book. 4 stars, maybe 5. However, then in the final 1/3 of the book Bockmuehl enters into a discussion on the Jewish background of Jesus - all good, to be sure, really containing the best exegesis of the entire book - but this section seems almost entirely disconnected from the rest of the book. I have been unable to make sense of exactly how the sections of the book work for a common purpose, or what the title of the book has to do with the arguments contained within. I loved much of the content, but I'm not sure I'm entirely clear on the purpose of the whole.