The Problem with Evangelical Theology
Testing the Exegetical Foundations of Calvinism, Dispensationalism, and Wesleyanism
By Ben Witherington III
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Subjects: All Religious Studies, All Theology, Contemporary Theology |
There is no doubting the legacy of the Protestant Reformers and their successors. Luther, Calvin, and Wesley not only spawned specific denominational traditions, but their writings have been instrumental in forging a broadly embraced evangelical theology as well. In this volume, Ben Witherington wrestles with some of the big ideas of these major traditional theological systems (sin, God's sovereignty, prophecy, grace, and the Holy Spirit), asking tough questions about their biblical foundations. Witherington argues that evangelicalism sometimes wrongly assumes a biblical warrant for some of its more popular beliefs, and, further, he pushes the reader to engage the larger story and plot of the Bible to understand these central elements of belief.
Overture: The Legacy of the Reformers
PART ONE. Augustine's Children: The Problems with Reformed Theology
1 Oh Adam, Where Art Thou?
2 Squinting at the Pauline "I" Chart
3 Laying Down the Law with Luther
4 Awaiting the Election Results
PART TWO. On Dispensing with Dispensationalism
5 Enraptured but not Uplifted: The Origins of Dispensationalism and Prophecy
6 What Goes Up, Must Come Down: The Problem with Rapture Theology
7 Will the Real Israel of God Please Stand Up?
PART THREE. Mr. Wesley Heading West
8 Jesus, Paul, and John: Keeping Company in the Kingdom
9 New Birth or New Creatures?
10 Amazing Prevenient Grace and Entire Sanctification
PART FOUR. The Long Journey Home-Where Do We Go from Here?
11 Reimagining the Mystery
12 And So?
Coda: Rebirth of Orthodoxy or Return to Fundamentalism?
Notes
Works Cited
Index
"Ben Witherington reminds us that being Reformed is a continual process. He calls Evangelical Christians to a fresh look at their claim to take Scripture seriously. Few scholars are better placed to do so. Witherington is authoritative and writes here with his usual compelling style."
–Trevor Hart, Principal of St Mary's College and Head of the School of Divinity, University of St Andrews
"Evangelicals of all stripes need to take account of Witherington's contentions here—to make us exegetically honest and theologically responsible. He takes on the three streams of evangelicalism: Reformed, Wesleyan, and Dispensationalist views to examine their exegetical foundations and theological structures. The result is critique, but also a call for biblical orthodoxy and proclamation of biblical truth in postmodern society. His perspectives should gain a wide hearing."
–Donald K. McKim, Editor, Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith
Ben Witherington (Ph.D. Durham) is Professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary and the author of more than 20 books, including The Problem with Evangelical Theology (Baylor University Press 2005) and Troubled Waters: Rethinking the Theology of Baptism (Baylor University Press 2007).
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