Spotlight on Four Views

One of the best ways to learn is read a number of different perspectives rather than just one interpretation.  A number of books have been published that present four views on an issue and include interaction between the different authors.  I have read a number of them and have enjoyed them very much.  Here is a selection of some of the four view books.  By purchasing them from Christian Book Distributors through the links below, you will be supporting Hope's Reason Ministries.

Four Views on Hell By Edited by Stanley N. Gundry & William Crockett / Zondervan Is hell literally a place of eternal smoke and flames? Does God annihilate wicked souls rather than punish them endlessly? Ideal for comparing and contrasting, this forum evenhandedly presents, critiques, and defends the literal, metaphorical, conditional, and purgatorial views on hell. Contributors include John Walvoord, William Crockett, Zachary Hayes, and Clark Pinnock. 190 pages, softcover from Zondervan.

Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalism By Edited by Andrew David Naselli & Collin Hansen / Zondervan An engaging conversation among four scholars representing distinct facets of American evangelicalism. The latest edition in the Counterpoints series includes presentations by Kevin Bauder on fundamentalism; Albert Mohler on conservative/confessional evangelicalism; John Stackhouse, Jr., on generic evangelicalism; and Roger Olson on postconservative evangelicalism. Each contributor also critiques the strengths and weaknesses of the other three views. 208 pages, softcover from Zondervan.

Understanding Four Views on the Lord's Supper By Edited by John H. Armstrong / Zondervan It's the central sacrament of the church---so why do various denominations view and practice communion so differently? Exploring the major positions on this important question, Armstrong looks at the beliefs of four respected contributors who defend their stands on memorialism (Baptist); spiritual presence (Reformed); consubstantiation (Lutheran); and transubstantiation (Roman Catholic). 208 pages, softcover from Zondervan.

Understanding Four Views on Baptism By Edited by John H. Armstrong / Zondervan Featuring the classic and thought-provoking Counterpoints forum of presentation, critique, and response, this insightful discussion explores the four prominent viewpoints on Protestant baptism. Baptist, the Christian Church/Church of Christ, Lutheran, and Reformed scholars debate both the meaning and practice of one of the church's central and most spiritually significant sacraments. 208 pages, softcover from Zondervan.

Perspectives on the Sabbath: Four Views By Edited by Christopher John Donato / B&H Academic Perspectives on the Sabbath presents in point-counterpoint format the four leading perspectives of the Sabbath. These perspectives, all of which arise from the church's diverse interpretation of the Sabbath throughout history are also the most prevalent views in the contemporary church. Contributors and Their ViewsSkip MacCarty (Andrews University) defends the "Seventh-day" view which argues the fourth commandment is a moral law of God requiring us to keep the seventh day--Saturday--holy. Adherents readily assert that Christians, like Jews, are bound to practice the Sabbath only on this day. Jospeh A Pipa (Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary) argues in favor of the "Christian Sabbath" view which holds the resurrection of Christ is the basis for the day of rest, and that the Christian Sabbath ought to coincide with that event as a weekly celebration of it. Thus, the Sabbath is to be held on the first day of the week, not the last. Craig L. Blomberg (Denver Seminary) supports what is known as the "Fulfillment" asserting that only in Christ has the true Sabbath rest come into the present and that on this basis the Sabbath as constituted in the commands of the Old Testament are no longer binding on believers. Charles P. Arand (Concordia Seminary) upholds the "Lutheran" view that the Sabbath commandment was given only as an act of Law and therefore does not concern Christians. Rest and worship are required, but they are not tied to a particular day or to particular forms of celebration.

Four Views on Moving Beyond the Bible to Theology By Edited by Stanley N. Gundry & Gary T. Meadors / Zondervan In 2005 A.J. Jacobs attempted to spend one year following Scripture, both Old and New, as literally as possible. Predictably, some of the results turned out to be as absurd as is the attempt. Yet, Jacobs' attempt points out how difficult it can really be to translate the Bible from original intent to practical practice today. Academia, with its emphasis on the original meaning and context in many ways has not helped this process but only made it more difficult to treat the text as it is a living, powerful, and life transformative reality. In this book Four Views On Moving Beyond the Bible to Theology major Evangelical scholars Walter Kaiser, Daniel Doriani, Kevin Vanhoozer, and William Webb, all grapple with this difficult subject in their own ways suggesting ways we can get beyond a text that simply tells us something, to making those texts become living realities. Highly recommended for Biblical Interpretation courses of all kinds, especially those wishing to encourage good interpretive principals and theological development, as well as Pastors.

Four Views on the Book of Revelation By C. Marvin Pate, ed. / Zondervan Four Views on the Book of Revelation focuses specifically on the book of Revelation and the primary ways in which it is read and understood today. It looks at four interpretations of Revelation, and why those particular interpretations are held. The four interpretations are: the preterist, idealist, classical dispensational futurist, and progressive dispensationalist. Each is presented by a leading proponent in an interactive, dialogue format.

Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Four Views By Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. / Zondervan Are the gifts of tongues, prophecy, and healing for today? No, say cessationists. Yes, say Pentecostal and Third Wave Christians. Maybe, say a large sector of open-but-cautious evangelicals. What's the answer? Is there an answer? Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? takes you to the heart of the charismatic controversy by providing an impartial format for comparing the four main lines of thinking: cessationist, open but cautious, third wave, and Pentecostal/charismatic. The authors present their positions in an interactive setting that allows for critique, clarification, and defense. Through this dialogue, you'll find guidance to better understand your own position and the positions of others.

Four Views on Eternal Security By J. Matthew Pinson, ed. / Zondervan In this book four theologians explain and defend their approaches to perseverance in salvation: Classical Calvinism--perseverance is based on unconditional election and the irresistibility of grace; Moderate Calvinism--"once saved, always saved" denies strict, 5-point Calvinism, yet clings to the fifth point; Classical Arminianism--believers can cease believing and hence fall from grace--but only by a decisive act of apostasy; Wesleyan Arminianism--believers have the freedom to reject Christ and can lose their salvation through unconfessed sin and/or apostasy through unbelief.

Four Views on Divine Providence By Edited by Stanley N. Gundry & Dennis Jowers / Zondervan Questions about divine providence have preoccupied Christians for generations: Are people elected to salvation? For whom did Jesus die? This book introduces readers to four prevailing views on divine providence, with particular attention to the question of who Jesus died to save (the extent of the atonement) and if or how God determines who will be saved (predestination). But this book does not merely answer readers' questions. Four Views on Divine Providence helps readers think theologically about all the issues involved in exploring this doctrine. The point-counterpoint format reveals the assumptions and considerations that drive equally learned and sincere theologians to sharp disagreement. It unearths the genuinely decisive issues beneath an often superficial debate. Volume contributors Include: Paul Helseth (God causes every creaturely event that occurs) William Lane Craig (through his 'middle knowledge,' God controls the course of worldly affairs without predetermining any creatures' free decisions) Ron Highfield (God controls creatures by liberating their decision-making) Gregory Boyd (human decisions can be free only if God neither determines nor knows what they will be) Introductory and closing essays by Dennis Jowers give relevant background and guide readers toward their own informed beliefs about divine providence.

Show Them No Mercy: 4 Views on God and Canaanite Genocide By C.S. Cowles, E.M. Merrill, D.L. Gard & T. Longman III / Zondervan SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, brought us face to face with the stark reality of jihad. But holy war is neither new nor the invention of Islam. The Old Testament writings record what amounts to Canaanite genocide in the name of Yahweh. How do we reconcile this with the teachings of Jesus, who commands us to love our enemies and overcome evil with good? If our theology bears its fruit in our behavior as Christians, then we cannot ignore the question of violence in the Bible. Is there continuity or discontinuity between the Old Testament concept of holy war and New Testament ideals? Do we serve the Lord of Hosts or the Prince of Peace - or is God both? How should our actions reflect his character in these dangerous desperately needy times? The four views presented in Show Them No Mercy are quite different, yet all lie squarely within the evangelical tradition. This book gives each view a forum for presentation, critique, and defense. It allows you to compare different perspectives on holy war, divine judgement, and the use of deadly force to arrive at your own conclusions on what the Bible teaches.

Predestination & Free Will: Four Views of Divine Sovereignty & Human Freedom By Edited by David Basinger & Randall Basinger / Inter-varsity Press If God is in control, are people really free? The Basingers present four views on this thought-provoking question: Bruce Reichenbach on God's self-limited power, John Feinberg on God's control through foreordination, Clark Pinnock on God's self-limited knowledge, and Norman Geisler on God's control by foreknowledge. 179 pages, softcover from InterVarsity.

Divine Foreknowledge: Four Views By James Beilby / Inter-varsity Press Divine Foreknowledge: Four Views provides a unique venue for well-known proponents of four distinct views in the openness of God debate to present their case. Paul Helm of King's College, London, presents the Augustinian/Calvinistic view. David Hunt of Whittier College contends for a simple foreknowledge view. William Lane Craig of Talbot School of Theology argues for middle knowledge, or Molinism, and Gregory A. Boyd of Bethel College presents the openness view.

Perspectives on the Doctrine of God: Four Views By Edited by Bruce Ware / B & H Publishing Group Focusing on biblical, theological, and historical issues, this engaging point-counterpoint discussion examines common views on the doctrine of God---and evaluates each in light of Scripture. Paul Helm presents the classical Calvinist position; Bruce Ware, the modified Calvinist perspective; Roger Olson, the classical Arminian view; and John Sanders, the open theist approach. 320 pages, softcover from B&H.

The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views By Edited by James Beilby & Paul R. Eddy / Inter-varsity Press Jesus died for our sins, but how to understand and appropriate his saving death is still much debated. Here four leading positions are outlined and defended: Gregory A. Boyd on Christus Victor, Thomas R. Schreiner on penal substitution, Bruce R. Reichenbach on healing, and Joel B. Green on a kaleidoscopic view. 190 pages, softcover. InterVarsity.

Women in Ministry: Four Views By Bonnidell Clouse & Robert G. Clouse, eds. / Inter-varsity Press May women teach or exercise authority over men? Should they be ordained? Questions like these rage in the debate over women in ministry. Four committed evangelicals, Robert Culver, Susan Foh, Alvera Mickelsen, and Walter Liefeld, explain their positions and respond to the others, making for a lively exchange of ideas. Paper from InterVarsity.

Four Views of Salvation in a Pluralistic World By Dennis L. Okholm & Timothy R. Phillips, eds. / Zondervan This book presents four perspectives on salvation by their major proponents. Each contributor not only presents the case for his view, but is also given the opportunity to critique and respond to the critiques of the other contributors. The four perspectives are Normative Pluralism: All ethical religions lead to God, by John Hick. Inclusivism: Salvation is unversally available, but is established by and leads to Christ, by Clark Pinnock. Salvation in Christ: Agnosticism regarding those who haven't heard the Gospel, by Alister McGrath. Salvation in Christ alone: by R Douglas Geivett and W Gary Phillips. The COUNTERPOINTS series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views - both Christian and non-Christian - on important theological issues.

Four Views on the Apostle Paul By Michael F. Bird / Zondervan

Spotlight on John Polkinghorne

One of the most respected scholars who deals with faith and science is John Polkinghorne.  Here are a selection of his books.  You can support Hope's Reason Ministries by purchasing these books from Christian Book Distributors through these links.

Testing Scripture: A Scientist Explores the Bible By John Polkinghorne / Brazos Press John Polkinghorne, both an accomplished scientist and theologian within the academy and the church is one of the world's leading authorities on issues of science and faith. In Testing Scripture: A Scientist Explores the Bible, he provides a fresh, honest look at key themes of the Bible from an analytical and rational perspective, offering a series of insights that have helped him in his own engagement with Scripture. Polkinghorne tackles the questions modern Western thinkers tend bring to the Bible, including issues of Scripture and authority, contradiction and ambiguity, and the debate over human origins. He also addresses theological challenges presented by the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the writings of Paul. Polkinghorne himself states about this book: "I have written this little book in the hope that it will be helpful to those who are seeking a careful and thoughtful engagement with the Bible in their quest for a truthful understanding of the ways of God and the nature of spiritual reality," writes Polkinghorne. His nuanced approach will be appreciated by any reader with an open and inquiring mind who is interested in the intersection between science and Scripture.

The Polkinghorne Reader: Science, Faith, and the Search for Meaning By John Polkinghorne & Thomas Jay Oord(Ed.) / Templeton Foundation Press

Faith of a Physicist- The By John Polkinghorne / Augsburg Fortress "I do not find that a trinitarian and incarnational theology needs to be abandoned in favour of a toned-down theology of a Cosmic Mind and an inspired teacher, alleged to be more accessible to the modern mind." Many would likely disagree with the idea that a trinitarian and incarnational theology is palatable to the modern mind, for it is thought that science and the modern mind are in conflict with traditional theology. But physicist and theologian John Polkinghorne strongly believes that a trinitarian and incarnational theology is tough, surprising and exciting enough to truly stimulate the modern mind. The Faith of a Physicist comes out of the invitation given to Polkinghorne to give the Gifford Lectures at the University of Edinburgh, on the topic of "The Knowledge of God". Polkinghorne chose to build his lectures on phrases from the Nicene Creed. Combining those phrases and his scientific experience, Polkinghorne offers illuminating insights into the nature of humanity, our search for knowledge, the way to speak of God in light of science's understanding of creation, the believability of the accounts of the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, the role of the Holy Spirit, and eschatology. Thoroughly versed in science, and equally adept in Scripture, Polkinghorne offers his lucid explanation of why he feels it is reasonable to be both a Christian and a scientist. Fascinating, and well-written, Faith of a Physicist is sure to stimulate your mind, and broaden your knowledge and horizons. Polkinghorne will not compromise his views on the trintarian nature of God or the incarnation, and he proves that modern science does not require this, nor has modern science proved a trinitarian and incarnational theology to be false. An excellent reminder to take all thoughts captive to Christ.

Quantum Physics and Theology: An Unexpected Kinship By John Polkinghorne / Yale University Press Truth-seeking in science and theology is not that different, says Polkinghorne, who discerns similarities between perplexities in quantum physics and the problem of evil; the drive for a unified theory and Trinitarian theology; the way quantum theories and Christological controversies emerged historically. 128 pages, softcover. Yale University.

Theology in the Context of Science By John Polkinghorne / Yale University Press "Polkinghorne, like C.S. Lewis, displays a simplicity of style, accessibility to the general reader, and a deep learning in his chosen field of expertise lightly set forth,"---Commonweal. Makes for a fruitful, cross-disciplinary exchange on topics such as evolution, epistemology, space and time, objectivity, relativity, etc. 208 pages, hardcover. Yale University.

From Physicist to Priest: An Autobiography By John Polkinghorne / Wipf & Stock In From Physicist to Priest, John Polkinghorne tells his remarkable life story in a direct and modest yet profound narrative. He looks back on his journeys into both disciplines from a human angle, including the formative experiences and key relationships he experienced as a child, an undergraduate, graduate and beyond into university teaching, family life, priesthood and writing. He describes his developing thoughts and understanding of the value and interdependence of each of the major disciplines and, by so doing, brings a down-to-earth touch to the big questions that each approach raises. Paperback.

The Way the World Is: The Christian Perspective of a Scientist By John Polkinghorne / Westminster John Knox Press From the 2002 Templeton Prize winner! "There are thinkers whose achievement lies in opening new vistas. There are thinkers whose achievement lies in showing us the true value of what has gone before. With contributions in physics and Christian theology, Polkinghorne succeeds in both,"---Christianity Today. 144 pages, softcover. Westminster/John Knox.

Science and the Trinity: The Christian Encounter with Reality By John Polkinghorne / Yale University Press Most often, the dialogue between religion and science is inflated by the discoveries of modern science - big bang cosmology, evolution, or quantum theory, for example. In this book, scientist-theologian John Polkinghorne changes the discussion. He approaches the dialogue from a little-explored perspective in which theology shapes the argument and sets the agenda of questions to be considered.

Books I Read in 2011

This list does not include books I read to my children or devotional books completed.  You will get a sense of interests.

Patricia Walters, Assumed Authorial Unity of Luke and Acts
Rob Bell, Love Wins
Arthur Patzia, Making of the New Testament
W. Warde Fowler, Religious Experience of the Roman People
William Barclay, Letters to the Seven Churches
Paul Hughes (ed.), Think and Live
Craig Evans, Luke
N.T. Wright, The Challenge of Jesus
Hugh Bowden, Mystery Cults of the Ancient World
Eugene Peterson, The Pastor
Joel Green (ed.), Methods for Luke
William Lane Craig, On Guard
William Paley, Evidence of Christianity
Hank Hanegraaf, Has God Spoken?
Reginald Bibby, Beyond the Gods & Back
Philip Yancey, What's So Amazing About Grace?
Reginald Bibby, Restless Churches
Christopher Hitchens, God is Not Great
Virgil, Aeneid
Norman Geisler & Frank Turek, I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist
Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion
Bart Ehrman, Forged
Reginald Bibby, Emerging Millennials
Francis Beckwith & Greg Koukl, Relativism
Tripp York, The Devil Wears Nada
Montague Brown, Restoration of Reason
Mark Noll, Whatever Happened to Christian Canada?
Gavin Hyman, A Short History of Atheism
James Thrower, Western Atheism: A Short History
Sam Harris, Letter to a Christian Nation
David Lamb, God Behaving Badly
Peter Kreeft, Between Allah and Jesus
Ross Anderson, Understanding the Book of Mormon
Paul Edwards, Our Legacy of Faith

Spotlight on John Lennox

I very much enjoy the work of John Lennox.  Here is a selection of his books.  You can support Hope's Reason Ministries by purchasing these books from Christian Book Distributors through these links.

Gunning for God: Why the New Atheists Are Missing the Target By John Lennox / Lion Adult * For hundreds of years, atheists have been blaming the world's problems on religion. Lennox says not so fast! Tackling well-known skeptics Hawking, Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens, and Onfray, he pinpoints fallacies in the New Atheists' approach, arguing that their irrational, unscientific methodology is no better than the unreasoned claims offered by religious dogmatists. Accessible and wide-ranging! 248 pages, softcover from Lion.

God's Undertaker: Has Science Buried God? New Updated Edition By John Lennox / Lion Books If we are to believe many modern commentators, science has squeezed God into a corner, killed and then buried him with its all embracing explanations. Athiesm, we are told, is the only intellectually tenable position, and any attempt to reintroduce God is likely to impede the progress of science. The final word has not been written, and in this book God's Undertaker, John Lennox makes a forceful argument that science has not buried God and that holding to belief in him is not only rational but a superior intellectual position.

Seven Days That Divide the World: The Beginning According to Genesis and Science By John C. Lennox / Zondervan What did the writer of Genesis mean by 'the first day'? Is it a literal week or a series of time periods? If I believe that the earth is 4.5 billion years old, am I denying the authority of Scripture? In response to the continuing controversy over the interpretation of the creation narrative in Genesis, John Lennox in Seven Days That Divide the World: The Begining According to Genesis and Science proposes a succinct method of reading and interpreting the first chapters of Genesis without discounting either science or Scripture. With examples from history, a brief but thorough exploration of the major interpretations, and a look into the particular significance of the creation of human beings, Lennox suggests that Christians can heed modern scientific knowledge while staying faithful to the biblical narrative. He moves beyond a simple response to the controversy, insisting that Genesis teaches us far more about the God of Jesus Christ and about God's intention for creation than it does about the age of the earth. With this book, Lennox offers a careful yet accessible introduction to a scientifically-savvy, theologically-astute, and Scripturally faithful interpretation of Genesis.

God and Stephen Hawking: Whose Design Is It Anyway? By John C. Lennox / Lion Hudson Oxford mathematician John Lennox examines the flaws in scientist Stephen Hawking's claims that the law of physics brought the Universe into being, rather than God. In lively, layman's terms, Lennox guides us through the key points in Hawking's arguments, with clear explanations of the latest scientific and philosophical methods and theories, and shows that instead of proving there is no Creator God, they make his existence seem all the more probable.

Those Dam Kids

No, I am not trying to be rude (I hope everyone gets the pun!).  I am talking about the program for kids called Beavers.  Tonight I took Justus to check out Beavers and see if it was something that he was interested in.  I still remember when my mom took me to Beavers for the first time.  Scouting in general became an important part of my life as I moved through to Cubs and Scouts.  It brought back a lot of memories to be there with Justus.  Justus was pretty shy at first and I thought he was going to ask me to take him home.  He reminds me of me.  But as I encouraged him, he stick with it and had a great time.  He wanted me to buy his uniform tonight and wanted the program every night.  I am excited for him as he begins this new stage.  Now to find something for the girls...

A Great Day!

This has been a great day.  Quite ironic since it started with a dentist appointment.  To begin, we slept in til 6:30 am.  Yes, I said slept in.  Logan has been getting up very early and this is the latest he has slept in a long time.  In addition, that is the latest we could have slept as I was supposed to be at Abby's at 7:00 am and she lives a half hour away.  I had to be at Abby's because she was getting dental work today and they needed to put her under, which meant a parent was supposed to be present.  I was glad to be there.  These are the reasons we moved, to be more involved in her life and to be there with her for such times.  Abby did great and it was a pleasure to give her a piggy back down stairs after her recovery, being still very groggy.  It was great being with Abby, even for a dentist appointment.

In the afternoon, we took the kids tobogganing at their new school.  It was looking scary at first as Logan did not want to go.  Amanda did not give up, and with the help of Halo, got Logan to the school.  They have some nice hills behind the school.  Amanda talked Logan into going down once and then he could go home.  He went down once and he was hooked, going down the hill over and over.  The smiles and giggles from Logan was worth all the difficulties.  Halo did a great job staying at the top of the hill, even though he really wanted to run down the hill.  The rest of the kids had a great time as well.  This was the first time we ever took them tobogganing.  In fact, the last time I went tobogganing, Amanda was pregnant with Logan.  It is definitely something we will do again.  All in all, a very good day!

Year in Review

Ever since we got married, Amanda and I have been waiting for that quiet and uneventful year.  This was not that year.  Here are some of the things that took place in 2011, some good and some challenging.

I began the process of joining the Canadian Forces as a chaplain in the reserves.  Hit an obstacle that has now been overcome and hopefully things will fall into place in the new year.

I started my Doctor of Ministry program at Acadia Divinity College and took my first course on Canadian Context of Ministry with Reg Bibby.

I finished writing a book on Jehovah's Witnesses that should be out sometime in the new year.

I had my first experience as a retreat speaker at Camp Iawah.  I brought Emma and Faith with me and had lots of fun.

Our family had some challenges that I don't want to go into here.  I will just say that I am thankful for Amanda and her courage.  I am also thankful for our churches who gave me the time off that was needed.

Logan went to summer camp and was sent home the next day because they were not sure how to deal with his autism.  Lots of paternal anger and defensiveness.  Awakened a desire to advocate for special needs kids.  Still not sure what that will look like.

Amanda went on her first mission trip.  She went to the Czech Republic and had a great time.  Very proud of her!

We had a hard time being away from our daughter Abby as we were so far away from her.  Prayed hard about this.

Our churches gave me permission to move closer to Abby while remaining their pastor.  Thankful for Woodford and First Baptist Church Meaford.

We put up for sale and sold our house in Meaford.  This was the first home we ever owned and there were many memories there.  A hard decision.

After a long process, we found and bought a house in Cambridge.  Thanks go to Amanda who worked extremely hard to find a house, plus doing almost all of the packing up of the house.

We are getting settled in our new home.  It works well for us and I have already seen Abby twice, including a visit she paid to our home for Christmas.  It was definitely the right thing for our family.

That is short summary of 2011.  Still looking for a quiet and uneventful year.  Maybe 2012?