PART ONE: STOTT, LEWIS, GUMBEL?
PART TWO: WRIGHT, KELLER, SPUFFORD?
What would you – and what would you not – recommend as an introductory presentation of the Christian faith to a serious enquirer? This series of blogs offers an evaluation of popular books which Christians of my acquaintance would be most likely to name in response to such a question. I consider them both from the perspective of the acceptability of their theology – and from the more general one of their likely appeal for contemporary enquirers into the Christian faith.
In the first instalment of this three-blog series, I offered my verdict on Nicky Gumbel’s Alpha: Questions of Life (1991), and on two earlier books, cited by Gumbel, which were very much the inspiration of popular presentations of the Christian faith when I was young: John Stott, Basic Christianity (1958) and C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity? (1952).
In the second, I reviewed, from the same perspective, some well-known newcomers on the apologetic scene. These were: N.T. Wright’s Simply Christian (2011) (a book that, already in its title, appeared to advertise the ambition to re-do Mere Christianity for a new generation); also, Francis Spufford’s recent volume, Unapologetic (2013), and Tim Keller’s The Reason for God (2008); finally, C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity, though this time with attention focussed narrowly on the fourth and final part (formerly published under its own cover): Beyond Personality.
Here is my summary verdict. Would I recommend any of these? Lewis, Mere Christianity – yes, with the strict recommendation that the reader confine themselves to Part Four, and ignore the Parts One, Two, and Three. Spufford, Unapologetic – yes, for a certain kind of enquirer, with reservations as to the rather subjective and partial nature of the author’s ‘take’ on the Christian faith. Keller, The Reason for God – possibly, though in the expectation of further discussion on the point of ‘Why Jesus had to die’. Stott, Gumbel, and Wright – no, no, no; in the first two cases – absolutely no; in the case of Wright – somewhat more regretfully, no.
In reaching these conclusions, much had to do with the authors’ responses to specific theological challenges. These can be summarized as follows.
First – and most importantly – how far the authors manage to offer an intellectually persuasive account of how salvation works.
Second, how far they manage to take full account of the collective and socio-political dimension of human sin – something we showed to be dependent on our authors having an understanding of sin rooted in the biblical concept of idolatry.
Perhaps, I am being over-demanding; but my theological scruples appear to leave me with relatively limited options.
Still – without going beyond what is currently available, and pending the literary answer to my prayers – there are certain services the Christian publishing industry could do us would-be evangelists. First, republish Part Four of Mere Christianity under a separate cover – as it was initially published with the title: ‘Beyond Personality’. That title should be altered however, in order to reflect the broader evangelistic purpose motivating republication. Then, perhaps, republish The Reason for God with the order of the two halves of the volume reversed so as to foreground Keller’s presentation of the Christian faith. Or, perhaps, with the first half left out entirely. There are quite enough Christian publications aiming to ‘respond to common objections to the faith’. That is the easy part of apologetic!
Suffice to say, I am still seeking that elusive book – I mean, the book that altogether answers to my evangelical needs!
Maybe that book is out there somewhere!
The selection of books I have made here largely reflects those most familiar to the leaders and lay-members of the Anglican evangelical church to which I belong in the south of the England. Of course, it has no claim to be exhaustive. So, if you think you have found what I am looking for, be so kind as to let me know! (I have already received two recommendations as of writing).
That book certainly OUGHT to exist. Why? Because the theological foundations for such a presentation of the faith have already been well laid.
Regarding the second of the theological challenges mentioned above (the foregrounding of idolatry in a less individualist account of human sin), I would point to a theological job excellently done in the work of the evangelical, Chris Wright (The Mission of God).
Regarding the first (an intellectually sustainable account of the how of salvation), the basis for such a thing has been amply supplied thanks to a convergence of theological writing from a range of denominational perspectives (though not normally Evangelical). These are often focussed on the Eucharist: Gregory Dix’s chapter on the meaning of Eucharistic sacrifice in The Shape of the Liturgy; Alexander Schmemann, For the Life of the World; Robert Daly, Sacrifice Unveiled; latterly, Eugene R. Schlesinger, Sacrificing the Church.
There is a consistent answer to the question of the how of salvation which emerges from these, and many other books. That answer is most certainly true – but it is altogether unfamiliar to my Evangelical friends. It needs to be made more widely accessible to Protestant Evangelicals – above all, so that they can make intellectual sense of their faith, and so be able to give an account of it to an increasingly sceptical world. At present, that account exists; but is sadly locked up in places no honest Evangelical would even think to look. I know! It took me twenty years of honest searching in order to discover it!
Thank heavens, it does exist. There remains the task of making it available – I mean, in the easily assimilable form of a short tract, and in the circle of those Christians best able to make use of it – I mean Evangelicals!
I await the day!
PART ONE: STOTT, LEWIS, GUMBEL?
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