Review: 40 Questions About Biblical Theology
A Review of 40 Questions about Biblical Theology* by Jason S. DeRouchie, Oren R. Martin, and Andrew David Naselli, Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2020, 400 pages, paperback.
The Power of Biography
Body
“The power of human greatness (and, by extension, reading about it) comes from the fruitfulness of the imago Dei, and Christian understandings of biography repeat the theme of the imago Dei shining forth the abundant goodness of its Maker.” - Davenant Institute
Discussion
Did Jonathan Edwards Undermine Calvinism?
Body
“How can God be truly virtuous, truly good in a meaningful way, and foreordain the fall of humanity into sin and certain individuals to eternal torment in hell? It is impossible to reconcile Edwards’s account of God and virtue and ‘goodness’ with what he believed as a Calvinist about God’s sovereignty with regard to reprobation.” - Roger Olson
Discussion
Are You Praying? Effectively?
Body
“We learn about Elijah’s prayer in two places in the Bible: 1 Kings 18 and James 5:17-18, where God gives us further light on the story. Putting these two scriptures together, I have made seven observations.” - Collin Smith
Discussion
Book Review: The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good? by Michael J. Sandel
Body
“…it didn’t seem to me to solve the dilemma it kept tossing from hand to hand for hour after hour: If meritocracy isn’t so great, and aristocracy not so great either, then what?!
Discussion
“... some critics of CT have been incorrect to claim that Christians may never use any ideas that come from outside Scripture”
Body
“I would like to provide a succinct description and biblical evaluation of CT by addressing four questions: May Christians use systems of thought that do not come from Scripture? What is CT? Is CT compatible with Scripture? Does CT help resolve racism?” - Scott Aniol
Discussion
Which best describes your view about predestination, election and damnation?
Election is a divisive issue, and so is damnation.
Are you Arminian on these particular points? Do you tend to believe that groups are elected, but not individuals within those groups?
Do you believe in predestination of the saved (election) and preterition of the lost (they are merely passed over), or do you believe in double election?
Or are you unsettled, or perhaps hold a viewpoint not listed? All comments are welcome, but if you hold another viewpoint, please (very briefly) explain what that might be.
Discussion
Mary's blessedness is an argument against prosperity theology
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“…this was not the kind of blessing promised by the Prosperity Gospel, the wealth and health and success that many people think of in connection to being blessed.” - Veith
Discussion
Is dispensationalism to blame for patriotic idolatry?
Body
“…modern politics needs to be cloaked in religious language in order to carry the necessary gravitas. The end result is that theology becomes the handmaiden of political agendas. In turn, patriotism becomes one and the same with Christianity for so many.
Discussion
“In The City of God Augustine contended that Christians should never enshrine any earthly ‘city’ or empire or nation-state or polis as God’s country.”
Body
“…many Christian theologians have come to believe that ‘Americanism’ is the world’s fourth great monotheistic religion. But that religion would be/is idolatrous. America is a great idea; I celebrate it and want to see it thrive. I’m a patriot, but not a nationalist. Christian nationalism in any country is wrong.” - Roger Olsen
Discussion