Traditionally, evangelical theology has been committed to a position of classical theism, emphasizing God's immutability and omniscience. Of late, traditional affirmations have been challenged by theologians who affirm a more christological focus--often drawing from Karl Barth's theology--and by those who affirm a theology of "open theism."

The essays gathered in this collection give evidence of the depth and creativity of contemporary evangelical theology as well as the variety of positions held by those within the movement. "Engaging the Doctrine of God" initially focuses on New Testament studies and the earliest development of a Christian doctrine of God, then proceeds to consider two figures who have significantly influenced evangelical theology: John Calvin and Jonathan Edwards. The theological section examines the cross, the suffering and sovereignty of God, and the contemporary debate. The book concludes with a chapter on theology and pastoral care.

Both scholars and clergy will find that these essays represent the range of thought within the evangelical tradition and provide readers with a stimulating guide to the contemporary debate. Contributors include:

Pierre Berthoud

Henri A. Blocher

D. A. Carson

Oliver D. Crisp

Paul Helm

Donald Macleod

Bruce L. McCormack

John Webster

Stephen N. Williams

David F. Wright

N. T. Wright

The essays contained in this book originated as lectures at an international conference held in Princeton organized by Christine Helmer (Northwestern) and the editors of this book. This book itself illuminates in a fresh way the formation, cross-fertilization, break-up, and re-organization of movements of theological renewal during the tumultuous years of the Weimar Republic. Three Protestant movements, in particular, demand our attention: the dialectical theology (Karl Barth, Friedrich Gogarten, Rudolf Bultmann); the Luther Renaissance which found adherents amongst the students of Karl Holl (Hans Joachim Iwand, Rudolf Herrmann and Emmanuel Hirsch) and Lutheran confessional movement (Werner Elert and Paul Althaus). Attention is also given to Bultmann's close conversation-partner Martin Heidegger. Rounding out the picture thus drawn is Martin Buber, representing the Jewish Renaissance that flourished briefly in the Weimar years. The goal of this book is twofold: to trace the most significant developments that occurred within and across these movements and, most importantly, to assess the uses made of Luther's theology in all phases of these developments and in relation to dramatically different sets of issues (ranging from the doctrines of revelation, reconciliation and sin to theories of the state). We find Luther at the heart of a number of debates. So important was he that the divergences between and within the various movements can rightly be seen as a dispute over his legacy. Most of the theologians and philosophers treated in this book were educated in the pre-war years - and some at least of what they learned survived in a transfigured form the impact of the collapse of the Wilhelminian Empire. That is especially clear in the impact of the Jeiwsh philosopher of religion Hermann Cohen on K. Barth, R. Bultmann, and R. Hermann. During the years of peace (prior to the stock market crash in 1929), divergences could be accepted with some degree of equanimity by most of those engaged in renewal. To be sure, tensions already existed which could, at any time, have led to splits within the dialectical theology most especially - but did not have to do so. The commentary of R. Bultmann on F. Gogarten's Ich glaube an den dreieinigen Gott, which is published for the first time in this volume, gives vivid expression to these latent tendencies. For the time being, however, a spirit of cooperation and rigorous academic engagement prevailed. That changed with the onset of the Great Depression. After the national election held on 14 September1930 (which saw the National Socialists become the second largest party in the Reichstag, the fortunes of all movements were increasingly held hostage to the uses made of theology to devise theological accounts of the state which stood in differing degrees of support or open resistance to government policy. The result was a realignment of forces within church and theology

This textbook offers a fresh approach to modern theology by approaching the field thematically, covering classic topics in Christian theology over the last two hundred years. The editors, leading authorities on the history of nineteenth- and twentieth-century theology, have assembled a respected team of international scholars to offer substantive treatment of important doctrines and key debates in modern theology. Contributors include Kevin Vanhoozer, John Webster, Veli-Matti Karkkainen, and Michael Horton. The volume enables readers to trace how key doctrinal questions were discussed, where the main debates lie, and how ideas developed. Topics covered include the Trinity, divine attributes, creation, the atonement, ethics, practical theology, and ecclesiology.

The essays contained in this book originated as lectures at an international conference held in Princeton organized by Christine Helmer (Northwestern) and the editors of this book. This book itself illuminates in a fresh way the formation, cross-fertilization, break-up, and re-organization of movements of theological renewal during the tumultuous years of the Weimar Republic. Three Protestant movements, in particular, demand our attention: the dialectical theology (Karl Barth, Friedrich Gogarten, Rudolf Bultmann); the Luther Renaissance which found adherents amongst the students of Karl Holl (Hans Joachim Iwand, Rudolf Herrmann and Emmanuel Hirsch) and Lutheran confessional movement (Werner Elert and Paul Althaus). Attention is also given to Bultmann's close conversation-partner Martin Heidegger. Rounding out the picture thus drawn is Martin Buber, representing the Jewish Renaissance that flourished briefly in the Weimar years. The goal of this book is twofold: to trace the most significant developments that occurred within and across these movements and, most importantly, to assess the uses made of Luther's theology in all phases of these developments and in relation to dramatically different sets of issues (ranging from the doctrines of revelation, reconciliation and sin to theories of the state). We find Luther at the heart of a number of debates. So important was he that the divergences between and within the various movements can rightly be seen as a dispute over his legacy. Most of the theologians and philosophers treated in this book were educated in the pre-war years - and some at least of what they learned survived in a transfigured form the impact of the collapse of the Wilhelminian Empire. That is especially clear in the impact of the Jeiwsh philosopher of religion Hermann Cohen on K. Barth, R. Bultmann, and R. Hermann. During the years of peace (prior to the stock market crash in 1929), divergences could be accepted with some degree of equanimity by most of those engaged in renewal. To be sure, tensions already existed which could, at any time, have led to splits within the dialectical theology most especially - but did not have to do so. The commentary of R. Bultmann on F. Gogarten's Ich glaube an den dreieinigen Gott, which is published for the first time in this volume, gives vivid expression to these latent tendencies. For the time being, however, a spirit of cooperation and rigorous academic engagement prevailed. That changed with the onset of the Great Depression. After the national election held on 14 September1930 (which saw the National Socialists become the second largest party in the Reichstag, the fortunes of all movements were increasingly held hostage to the uses made of theology to devise theological accounts of the state which stood in differing degrees of support or open resistance to government policy. The result was a realignment of forces within church and theology

McCormack is master of this voluminous material. He is scrupulously at home in the intricate, dramatic background of Swiss socialist politics ...The result is a masterly study, often as compelling as its theme.' George Steiner, Times Literary Supplement; This meticulous and definitive study ...supersedes most previous interpretations.' Colin Gunton, Theological Book Review; it should quickly attain classic status. It is an exceptionally fine and erudite piece of work...The results of this painstaking attention to detail are truly ground-breaking. This is a major intellectual achievement, an interpretative act of great courage, and Barth studies will never look the same.' Graham Ward, Expository Times This book is a new, major intellectual biography of perhaps the most influential theologian of the twentieth century, Karl Barth. It offers the first full-scale revision of the well-known theologian Hans Urs Balthasar's seminal interpretation of Barth, which was first published in 1951. Drawing on a wealth of material, much of it unpublished during Barth's lifetime, as well as a thorough acquaintance with the best of recent German scholarship, Professor McCormack demonstrates that t

Synopsis: This work brings the critically realistic interpretation of Barth's dialectical theology into conversation with the modern dialogue between science and theology. Philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics and logic, and considerations of the problem of rationality raised in the science and theology dialogue are brought to bear upon Barth's theology in an attempt to explicate the rationality of his dialectical method. Its deep and abiding radical nature and character are lifted up, emphasized, and explored. The results of this study are then used to answer some long-standing criticisms of Barth. What emerges are an understanding of how Barth uses philosophy and why he declines to do philosophy. La Montagne opens the way for Barth scholars to enter into the dialogue between theology and science. Endorsements: "With the publication of La Montagne's book, a new day has dawned in which Barth's 'post-Kantian' theological epistemology has to be taken seriously by those engaged in the theology and science debates . . . My gratitude to Paul La Montagne, for what I have learned from him is profound. I now eagerly look forward to seeing what others will do with the hard-earned results of his inquiry." -- Bruce L. McCormack, Charles Hodge Professor of Systematic Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary "This is a powerful and most welcome book. La Montagne brings his considerable scientific and mathematical background to bear on the study of Barth's theological epistemology. The result is a first-rate analysis that situates Barth in relation to critical realism in contemporary science and philosophy. There is much to be learned here about rationality in general and Barth in particular that would be difficult to find anywhere else." --George Hunsinger Hazel Thompson McCord Professor of Systematic Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary Editor of Torture Is a Moral Issue: Christians, Jews, Muslims, and People of Conscience Speak Out (2008) "Karl Barth is a towering intellect of the twentieth century. This groundbreaking book is further evidence that Barth is important to academic disciplines beyond theology. Paul La Montagne's work convinced me that Barth's theology is particularly relevant to the dialogue between theology and the natural sciences. His work helped me see significant similarities (and differences) between the epistemological issues raised by Barth's theology and by quantum physics and by the limits of reductionism." --Ross McKenzie Professor of Physics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Author Biography: D. Paul La Montagne received the John Carlson award as the outstanding mathematics student at his graduation from Whitworth College before moving on to do a PhD in theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of New Brunswick and preaches and teaches as supply at Presbyterian and independent churches in central New Jersey.

This innovative collection seeks to build bridges between the theology of Karl Barth and contemporary American evangelicalism and provide the impetus for moving evangelical engagement with Barth to a new level. The scholarly insights offered here shed much light on current trends in Protestant theology and show how Barth's thought can enrich evangelical interaction with current theological movements.

"This distinguished collection of studies presents Barth's theology as an attempt to discern what it means to be orthodox under the conditions of modernity, most of all, after the dissolution of the long-standing pact between Christian theology and classical metaphysics and epistemology. Each essay is a model of lucidity as well as wide learning and discriminating intelligence. McCormack moves with consummate ease and authority through the development of modern theology and the substance of Christian dogmatics. This is a book of rare historical and theological penetration from a commanding figure in Barth scholarship."--John Webster, chair of systematic theology, King's College, University of Aberdeen

"This collection of essays represents another major contribution from Bruce McCormack to our understanding of Barth. Typically rigorous, imaginative, and forceful, it provides frequent insight into Barth's massive theological output. McCormack shows how Barth's work continues to assail those in the church and the academy who search for a strong theology that remains alert to the ongoing problems and challenges of modernity. This volume will quickly become a standard point of reference for subsequent work in the field."--David Fergusson, professor of divinity, University of Edinburgh

"Bruce McCormack has spent the last decade and a half quietly developing what may be the most theologically provocative and historically self-conscious research program on offer today, the fruits of which have been gathered together in this welcome volume. I imagine that we will be discussing these essays for years to come, especially now that this volume brings them to a deservedly wider audience."--KevinW. Hector, assistant professor of theology and the philosophy of religion, University of Chicago Divinity School

"With this powerful collection of essays, Bruce McCormack secures his reputation as one of the most exciting theologians in North America today. Uncompromising yet balanced in its interpretative judgments, fascinated by Barth's dogmatic ingenuity, and forward-looking in its constructive gestures, this excellent book will gain a diverse and thankful readership."--Paul Dafydd Jones, assistant professor of Western religious thought, University of Virginia

Thomas Aquinas and Karl Barth are often taken to be two of the greatest theologians in the Christian tradition. This book undertakes a systematic comparison of them through the lens of five key topics: (1) the being of God, (2) Trinity, (3) Christology, (4) grace and justification, and (5) covenant and law. Under each of these headings, a Catholic portrait of Aquinas is presented in comparison with a Protestant portrait of Barth, with the theological places of convergence and contrast highlighted. This volume combines a deep commitment to systematic theology with an equally profound commitment to mutual engagement. Understood rightly and well, Aquinas and Barth contribute powerfully to the future of theology and to an ecumenism that takes doctrinal confession seriously while at the same time seeking unity among Christians. Contributors: John R. Bowlin Holly Taylor Coolman Robert W. Jenson Keith L. Johnson Guy Mansini, O.S.B. Amy Marga Bruce L. McCormack Richard Schenk, O.P. Joseph P. Wawrykow Thomas Joseph White, O.P.