There is no doubting the legacy of 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. 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. Advocating a return to Protestantism's sola scriptura roots, Witherington argues that evangelicalism sometimes wrongly assumes a biblical warrant for some of its more popular beliefs. Witherington pushes the reader to engage the larger story and plot of the Bible in order to understand the crucial theological elements of Protestant belief. The Problem with Evangelical Theology casts today's evangelical belief and practice - be it Calvinistic, Wesleyan, Dispensational, or Pentecostal - in the light of its scriptural origins. Witherington offers a comprehensive description of evangelical theology while concurrently providing an insistent corrective to its departures from both tradition and text.
Ben Witherington III is Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary. His publications include Troubled Waters: Rethinking the Theology of Baptism (2007), Making a Meal of It: Rethinking the Theology of the Lord's Supper (2007), The Living Word of God: Rethinking the Theology of the Bible (2007), and What's in the Word: Rethinking the Socio-Rhetorical Character of the New Testament (2009).
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 5. Complementarianism is no Compliment PART TWO On Dispensing with Dispensationalism 6. Enraptured but not Uplifted: The Origins of Dispensationalism and Prophecy 7. What Goes Up, Must Come Down: The Problem with Rapture Theology 8. Will the Real Israel of God Please Stand Up? PART THREE Mr. Wesley Heading West 9. Jesus, Paul, and John: Keeping Company in the Kingdom 10. New Birth or New Creatures? 11. Amazing Prevenient Grace and Entire Sanctification PART FOUR The Cost of Pentecostalism 12. The People of Pentecost 13. The Second Blessing of Pentecostalism PART FIVE The Long Journey Home Where Do We Go from Here? 14. Reimagining the Mystery 15. And So? Coda: Rebirth of Orthodoxy or Return to Fundamentalism?
For Baptist ministers and lay people who are willing to be challenged, however, this book would be a lively read. Witherington identifies biblical illiteracy as a serious problem among evangelicals today. -- Warren McWilliams -- Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry Witherington has much to commend in his new edition. He interweaves an illustrious career of technical exegesis with humorous and serious exhortations to scholars and laypeople alike. -- Benjamin B. De Van -- Wesley and Methodist Studies
