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A Survivor's GuideKeeping your balance: approaching theological and religious studiesFor young theologsA SURVIVOR'S GUIDE I remember a music graduate telling me that her university degree had actually spoiled her enjoyment of some musical pieces. The time spent analysing and dissecting a symphony would rob it of its freshness. Students of theology can face the same problem. Particularly in the secular university setting, the Bible can be dissected without reference to the reality of God. This welcome volume aims to help the student deal with the issue of how they maintain their personal relationship with God in what may sometimes be an arid and even hostile land. Many of the essays were originally individual booklets published by the Religious and Theological Students Fellowship which is a part of UCCF. Because there is a common theme holding them together there is overlap in content but each essay brings its own perspective to bear. A number of essays (such as those by David Field and Carl Trueman) give scholarly attention to the danger of studying theology in isolation from personal witness. Laura Jervis provides very helpful encouragement to do this with such challenging words as: 'If you cannot explain the Christian faith to the other guys in your rugby team or to those girls on your corridor, then, as far as God is concerned, you are not a good theologian. You are a failed theologian' (p.48). Nigel M. de S. Cameron and Stephen Williams describe in more detail the kind of ideas that should be presupposed by an evangelical student concerning the Bible as revelation and the historicity of the resurrection. Martin Downes presents a particularly helpful analysis of preaching. He reminds us of the need for good, robust theology in sermons in order to guard against either mere sentimentalism on the one hand and rank heresy on the other. Whether studying in an evangelical friendly environment or not, the book encourages theology students to avoid compromise and maintain integrity. David Cupples reminds us that the Bible 'was not given to be a textbook of theology, but to show us how we might glorify God and live in a right way before him' (p.147). It is worth noting that the sub-heading for the book is not entirely accurate as there is very little in it to help a student of religious studies. The important issues faced by an evangelical studying non-Christian religions are not dealt with. Nonetheless, this book will be a survival handbook for many theology students. If you are concerned for someone going from your church to study theology at a university level then why not buy it for him or her as a gift? Chris Sinkinson© Evangelicals Now - February 2002 |