A Trinitarian Theology of Religions: An Evangelical Proposal

Named by the International Bulletin of Missionary Studies as an Outstanding Book of 2014 for Mission StudiesOver the last four decades, evangelical scholars have shown growing interest in Christian debates over other religions, seeking answers to essential questions: How are we to think about and relate to other religions, be open to the Spirit, and at the same time remain evangelical and orthodox? Gerald R. McDermott and Harold A. Netland offer critiques of a variety of theologians and religious studies scholars, including evangelicals, but also challenge evangelicals to move beyond parochial positions. This volume is both a manifesto and a research program, critically evaluating the last forty years of Christian treatments of religious others and proposing a comprehensive direction for the future. It addresses issues relating to the religions in both systematic theology and missiology, taking up long-debated questions such as contextualization, salvation, revelation, the relationship between culture and religion, conversion, social action, and ecumenism. It concludes with responses from four leading thinkers of African, Asian, and European backgrounds: Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, Vinoth Ramachandra, Lamin Sanneh, and Christine Schirrmacher.

Table of Contents:
Preface Biographies Part 1: Chapters Chapter 1: Theology of Religions and Evangelicals Chapter 2: The Triune God Chapter 3: Revelation and the Religions Chapter 4: Salvation and Conversion Chapter 5: The Christian Life Chapter 6: Religion(s) and Culture Chapter 7: Christian Witness in a Multireligious World Part 2: Responses Response 1: Lamin Sanneh Response 2: Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen Response 3: Vinoth Ramachandra Response 4: Christine Schirrmacher Continuing the Conversation: A Few Last Words Notes Index

About the Author :
Gerald R. McDermott is the Jordan-Trexler Professor of Religion at Roanoke College, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion, and Research Associate at the Jonathan Edwards Centre, University of the Free State, South Africa. His other books include God's Rivals:Why Has God Allowed Different Religions? Harold A. Netland is Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He taught at Tokyo Christian University prior to coming to Trinity in 1993. Among his publications are Dissonant Voices: Religious Pluralism and the Question of Truth and Encountering Religious Pluralism.

Review :
"This book offers a remarkably lucid, systematic synthesis of the vexing question of the 'theology of religions,' drawing on the biblical witness, the Christian tradition, and a wide range of contemporary scholarship. The authors should be commended for achieving their ambitious goal of presenting an 'evangelical Christian framework for thinking about religions and religious others'...Given its exceptional clarity and organization, I would recommend Trinitarian Theology of Religions for upper-level undergraduate or seminary classes on the theology of religions or evangelical systematic theology. As evidenced by the four responses at the end, I also trust that this book will serve as an important contribution to the burgeoning literature concerning the theology of religions."--International Bulletin of Missionary Research "A Trinitarian Theology of Religions is great resource not only for missiologists and theologians but also pastors and Christian leaders who are wrestling with the challenges of following Christ in a pluralistic world." --JETS "Gerald McDermott and Harold Netland, who separately have contributed so much to the evangelical theology of religions, now together offer us the definitive place to engage it. This rich volume, with its sprightly and searching response essays, is both a state-of-the-art review and a positive advance in one of the most important conversations Christian theologians are having today." --John G. Stackhouse, Jr., Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology and Culture, Regent College "This 'evangelical proposal' is lucid, timely, and astute. It draws on a rich contemporary evangelical theological engagement with world religions. The authors also engage with the wider Christian debate, thus the proposal transcends denominational boundaries. The critical discussion of the book by four scholars at the end, along with Netland and McDermott's response, adds to the book's value as a stimulating theological resource. This is an important contribution to the literature." --Gavin D'Costa, author of Vatican II: Doctrines on Jews and Muslims "...[T]his volume is a constructive, timely contribution to the field." --Religious Studies Review