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A New Kind Of Liberalism a Review of ‘A new Kind of Christianity ’By Brian McLaren Conspectus Volume 11 March 2011
(South African Theological Seminary Johannesburg, South Africa) Peppler, Christopher
Brian McLaren has recently published his most definitive work to date, in which he comes closer than ever before to clearly stating what he believes. The book is subtitled, Ten Questions that are Transforming the Faith, and the book is structured around two sets of five of these questions. He doesn't state that the design is intended to contrast with the Ten Commandments, but the connection seems obvious - Ten Commandments on two tablets, versus ten questions in two 'books'. McLaren states that the first book contains the 'profound and critical questions that are being raised by followers of Christ around the world' (xi). The second set of five are, according to McLaren, 'less profound or theologically radical' (xi) and are more practical in nature. Each of the ten questions will be dealt with individually, but first, a couple of general comments.
A Review and An Evaluation of Diverse Christological Opinions Among American Evangelicals : Part 2 : The Eternal Role Subordination of the Son Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 6, Issue 09, Sep 2008, p. 43 - 66
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Grover, Bill
The writer, himself an American Evangelical, intends to discuss, in three articles, areas in which American Evangelicals disagree about how God the Son relates to God the Father and the meaning and effects of the true humanity and the true deity in Christ. Each position will be defined and exemplified. The rationale offered by proponents of each major position is provided. Evaluations are made. The first article focused primarily on the ancient doctrine of the eternal generation of the Son as held by some American Evangelicals but denied by others. This second article will be used to discuss the issue, within the perimeters of evangelicalism in America, of whether the Son is eternally or temporally only relationally subordinate to God the Father. The final article will be used to address several different understandings within American Evangelicalism regarding incarnational Christology. That article will include meanings given the Kenosis, views about what it means to say that Christ is true Man and true God, and how the two natures in the one Person of Christ relate to each other. Therefore, while this series is certainly connected to more general Trinitarian thought, the articles will be written especially to focus on Christ. Aside from just exposing, perhaps for the first time to some readers, a number of the considerable differences among Trinitarians regarding the doctrines of God and Christ, it is hoped by the writer that these articles might also provide material useful to some to better understand the blessed Person of Jesus Christ our God, our Lord, and our Savior. To Him be glory forever.
A Review of Marcus Borg, The Heart of Christianity : "Rediscovering a Life of Faith" Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 8, Issue 09, Sep 2009, p. 89 - 91
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Pretorius, Mark
Marcus Borg, Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture, an endowed chair at Oregon State University, is considered by many to be one of the most influential voices in what is referred to as Progressive Christianity, a movement founded in 1996 by a retired Episcopalian priest, James Adams, in Cambridge, MA. It currently represents the most liberal established Christian group within Christianity. Borg's philosophy is simply that one does not have to take the Bible literally to take it seriously. He teaches that a historical-metaphorical approach to the Bible has more meaning for today's world than is the historical-grammatical approach or that of biblical literalism. Borg summarizes his description of the historical-metaphorical approach by stating that the Bible is the Word of God metaphorically.
Review article : A Short Survey of Dutch 'Evangelical' New Testament Scholarship in the Past 25 Years Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 5, Issue 03, Mar 2008, p. 81 - 87
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Jabini, Frank
The term 'evangelical' in a Dutch context needs an explanation. In the Netherlands, this term is used broadly for Christians of different denominational backgrounds, such as Reformed, Pentecostal, Baptist and Brethren. Evangelical in this context is 'conservative', or as some prefer 'faithful to Scripture'.
Review article: Two Contrasting Views on the Historical Authenticity of the Adam Character in the Genesis Creation Narratives Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 14, Issue 09, Sep 2012, p. 191 - 224
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Lioy, Dan T.
Collins CJ 2011. Did Adam and Eve really exist? Who they were and why you should care. Wheaton: Crossway. Enns P 2012. The evolution of Adam: what the Bible does and doesn't say about human origins. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press. In this review article, a comparison is made between the recent publications authored by C. J. Collins and P. Enns concerning the historical authenticity of the Adam character (and to a lesser extent Eve) in the Genesis creation narratives. The first section introduces and provides the rationale for the essay. Next, in the second and third sections, an overview of each author's respective books is undertaken. Then, the final section concludes by comparing the presuppositions made and deductions put forward by each author. The intent is not to adjudicate whether the exegetical choices and theological positions advocated by either writer have greater or lesser value. Instead, it is to provide concerned readers with a fresh perspective of how two representative biblical scholars address a topic that is pertinent to the wider discussion on science and religion.
Review of BibleWorks 8 : An Introduction for SATS Students Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 9, Issue 03, Mar 2010, p. 117 - 126
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Jabini, Frank
The South African Theological Seminary (SATS) has students who come from a variety of backgrounds. They are studying for different purposes and ministries. Some students study for personal enrichment, others to become pastors. Some are already pastors, who want to equip themselves to be more effective in the ministry. Several of our students have recently completed training to serve as Bible translators, while others are experienced translators who need a postgraduate degree with a focus on Bible translation or biblical languages. With these students in mind, I will introduce BibleWorks 8 (BW8). I have been using BibleWorks (BW) since its infancy. I have used it for Bible study and sermon preparation, for exegesis leading to Bible translation, and for research culminating in both popular and academic publications.
Review of Craig and Meister, God is Good, God is Great : Why Believing in God is Reasonable and Responsible Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 12, Issue 09, Sep 2011, p. 249 - 267
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Erdey, Zoltan L.
For the proper understanding of the milieu of this book, it is important to introduce briefly a new atheistic movement. The contemporary context of apologetics was redefined in 2004 by Richard Dawkins' book, The God Delusion.
Review of Hixson, Getting the Gospel Wrong : The Evangelical Crisis No One is Talking About Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 12, Issue 09, Sep 2011, p. 241 - 247
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Barnes, Roscoe III
At the time of the publication of this book, Hixson served as the executive director of Free Grace Alliance. He teaches theology at Grace School of Theology in The Woodlands, Texas, and Free Grace Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. Hixson holds a Ph.D. from Baptist Bible Seminary, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a B.A. from Houston Baptist University.
Review of Linton and Mowat, Qualitative Research and Practical Theology Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 10, Issue 1, Jan 2010, p. 88 - 98
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.
John Linton and Harriet Mowat state their purpose as follows: 'The primary purpose of this book is to address the question: How can we faithfully use qualitative research to provide accurate data for theological reflection?' (vii). In other words, the book is about the use of qualitative research for practical theology. To be more specific, their objective is to show how practical theologians can use qualitative research to form or transform practices which are faithful to the gospel.
Review of Richard Osmer, Practical Theology : An Introduction Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 10, Issue 1, Jan 2010, p. 99 - 113
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.
Osmer's primary purpose is to equip congregational leaders to engage in practical theological interpretation of episodes, situations, and contexts that confront them in ministry. A secondary purpose is to equip theological educators to train students in the skills of practical theological reflection.
Review of Roger E Olson, Arminian Theology : Myths and Realities Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 11, Issue 03, Mar 2011, p. 203 - 216
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Smith, Kevin G.
From the perspective of an Arminian, the publication of Roger Olson's Arminian Theology is most welcome. It is welcome because of two trends that are powerfully evident in churches across South Africa, and no doubt, in other countries too.
Science and Religion: A Very Short Introduction, T. Dixon : Book Review Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 13, Issue 03, Mar 2012, p. 215 - 228
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Pretorius, Mark
I have read many books on the theme of the science and religion debate. Some have enthralled, while others have disappointed. This book, however, is one of the more delightful and informative introductory books I have read and reviewed on the subject. This particular book is part of the Very short introduction (VSI) series printed by Oxford University Press. All the subjects in the series (which number a few hundred) are written by experts in various fields, with the purpose of giving a brief, but fairly concise introductory synopsis of a particular subject. It seems that the authors endeavor to make the information accessible to lay people, helping them grasp the basics content of the particular subject.
The Language of God : A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 12, Issue 09, Sep 2011, p. 269 - 274
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Pretorius, Mark
Undoubtedly, the credentials of Francis Collins are impressive. As the former head of the Human Genome Project, he is one of the world's leading geneticists. He is also a Christian with strong a convictions that theistic evolution is the best explanation of the creation aspects of the Bible. Notwithstanding my critique of a number of Collins' claims The Language of God will certainly challenge the intellectually honest reader.
The Secret, R. Byrne : Book Review Conspectus : The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, Volume 6, Issue 09, Sep 2008, p. 133 - 135
(South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg, South Africa) Pretorius, Mark
At the writing of this review, it is even reported to have outsold the latest Harry Potter book by JK Rowling's. Clearly, this book is attracting much attention, and people are prepared to spend money to read it.