Tensions in Contemporary Theology
Eds. Stanley N. Gundry and Alan F. Johnson with foreword by Roger Nicole, Baker Book House, paperback edition, 1983, 478 pages, $12.95. Reviewed by Gerhard F. Hasel, Dean, Theological Seminary, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan.
This volume with ten chapters on the contemporary theological scene is written by nine competent, balanced, evangelical/neoevangelical scholars. B. Ramm writes on the developments in theology from Schleiermacher to K. Barth and R. Bultmann. B. C. Grounds describes the developments leading to the radical theologians of the 1960s and 1970s. The matter of religious language is discussed by S. Obitts. The topic of the secular theology of the death-of-God theologians and such thinkers as D. Bonhoeffer, J.A.T. Robinson, and Harvey G. Cox is handled by H. B. Kuhn. The entire range of what is known as the "theology of hope" with special attention to J. Moltmann, W. Pannenberg, J. B. Metz, and R. Alvez and its philosopher Ernst Bloch is treated by S. P. Scaer. The new theological school known as "process theology," with such leading figures as A. N. Whitehead, Charles Hartshome, John B. Cobb, N. Pike, Schubert Ogden, and N. Pittenger, is presented by N. L. Geisler. David F. Wells introduces the changes and developments in recent Roman Catholic theology. An over view of Latin and black theologies of liberation is put forth by Harvie M. Conn, who addresses in a second essay the liberation theologies' emerging consensus. "The Conservative Option" is the title of the last chapter, by Harold O. J. Brown, who surveys some basic issues from an evangelical perspective.
This is a very rich volume that brings together in this revised paper back edition (initially released in 1976) a wealth of information that keeps the reader informed on all major issues in contemporary theology. Each contributor provides a critique or reaction followed by often extensive foot notes and a helpful list of selected readings. The literature cited does not usually go beyond the early 1970s, but the entire volume promises to be most fruitful reading and keeps the layperson, pastor, and seminarian abreast of contemporary issues in theology. What is unfortunately missing is an essay on the contemporary issues in evangelical theology. We would urge this to be added in a future edition and we would urge that the evangelical reactions to the nonevangelical theologies be enlarged.
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