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 PrintableVersion Alister E McGrath & evangelical theology: a dynamic engagementEngaging with McGrathALISTER E. MCGRATH & EVANGELICAL THEOLOGY: This is a significant book for a number of reasons. First, it is unusual for a book of this nature to be published for one who is still comparatively young. It celebrates the 50th birthday of Professor Alister McGrath, principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and recognises his outstanding contribution to the renaissance of evangelical theology over the last 20 years. Second, the authors of the various essays that make up this book include men who have either been influenced by McGrath or who are his colleagues. Not many of the names will be familiar to the British public. Only three are from the UK, all at Oxford. The rest are resident in North America. They are described as evangelical theologians from a variety of traditions, including Anglican, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ and Wesleyan. Third, the contributions are said by the editor to be 'groundbreaking', which in many respects they are, and 'demonstrate the dynamism and vitality of evangelical theology'. Its strengths and weaknesses are also considered along with suggestions for its future development. Fourth, there is a Foreword by Jim Packer who extols McGrath's merits and encourages him 'to keep the books coming'. He reminds us that McGrath writes books and articles 'the way the rest of us write lectures (two books and four journal articles on average annually)'. Finally, in the closing chapter, McGrath himself offers an appreciative response to the 13 essays that comprise this volume, prefacing it with a brief but enlightening autobiography in which he is not slow to record his academic brilliance. McGrath's work & other topicsThe book is divided into two parts. Part One interacts with McGrath's own work on such topics as Theology and Science, and Postliberalism. Graham Tomlin, the Vice Principal at Wycliffe, examines the role that the cross plays in McGrath's thinking. He draws attention to the potential conflict between orthodoxy of doctrine and the life-transforming experience of faith in Christ. Gerald Bray assesses McGrath's work on justification. He raises a couple of important concerns that he trusts McGrath will take account of in any future work on the subject. In Part Two subjects as diverse as Trinitarian Evangelical Theology from a Wesleyan Perspective, Karl Barth's Evangelical Principles, Revelation and Natural Theology, Postmodern Evangelical Theology, and the possibility of Postmodern Evangelical Apologetics are tackled. Two essays stood out as particularly informative and helpful. 'Machen's Warrior Children' by John Frame details the theological battles that have raged within Presbyterianism in the States since Machen's death. Frame warns against a contentious spirit, of reading opponents' words in the worst possible light and not distinguishing between tolerable and intolerable disagreements in the church. Andrew Goddard, the ethics tutor at Wycliffe Hall, considers how evangelicals should respond to new ethical challenges by drawing attention to Calvin's approach to the question of usury. It was surprising to see a contribution by Clark Pinnock on Evangelical Theology of Divine Openness. He propounds his views on divine omniscience and seeks to answer his critics, bemoaning the fact that so many Arminians, never mind Calvinists, have opposed his position. By including this chapter in the book, the open view of God is portrayed as a legitimate expression of what Pinnock himself advocates as 'open evangelicalism'. This book is not for the faint-hearted. Some of the chapters are easier to read than others but they are all worth ploughing through. While the essays challenge the evangelical with the need to be always revising and reforming in the light of Scripture, they did arouse some concern. The book presents an evangelicalism that is far broader than a previous generation would have allowed. Is Karl Barth now to be regarded as within the evangelical circle? Is Clark Pinnock still to be counted an evangelical? Some of the criticisms raised against traditional evangelical orthodoxy smack of the old liberal approach, where propositional revelation is downplayed, precise wording describing Christ's work is described as sloganising the cross and value is given to contemplating an artistic altarpiece depicting the crucifixion. The modern evangelical theologian must be constantly vigilant of the age-old problem of pride in human ability and the deceitfulness of the human heart. Philip H Eveson,
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