Renewing the Center: Evangelical Theology in a Post-Theological Era
A leading voice among American theologians, Grenz (theology and ethics, Carey/Regent Coll., British Columbia) builds upon and advances the discussion begun in his Revisioning Evangelical Theology. The first four chapters explain the "three concentric circles of evangelical theological history": the Reformation, the Evangelical revival of the 18th century, and modern conservative evangelicalism. The second half of the book is devoted to the author's call for a critical appropriation of postmodern insights for evangelical theological tasks. Grenz rejects the present "two-party system" of an orthodox commitment to an "external definable, and transcendent authority" and the "progressive" commitment to "resymbolize historic faiths according to the prevailing assumptions of contemporary life." He calls for a "generous orthodoxy, read through the lenses of conservative piety" that is left without too detailed a definition but is doctrinal in orientation and focuses on the gospel of salvation by faith. Perhaps in his future studies Grenz will spell out more of what this means in terms of specific doctrines and actionable policies. Recommended for public and academic librariesDEugene O. Bowser, Univ. of Northern Colorado, Greeley, COCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.