A Great Approach to the disciplines involved in the study of theology!

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	• Integrative Theology Bruce A. Demarest, Gordon R. Lewis Zondervan, 1996 - 578 pages average customer review:based on 12 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

how to test a theological hypothesis

Gordon Lewis and Bruce Demarest were for many years full-time colleagues in Systematic Theology at Denver Seminary. Dr. Lewis is now Professor Emeritus and Dr. Demarest is half-time, still teaching in the area of spiritual formation. Both are good friends and cherished colleagues. The strength and uniqueness of Integrative Theology is its "verificational" or hypothesis-testing approach. Ask any classical theological question (or a new one for that matter!) and, to test the validity of the various possible answers that have been given or might be given, one must survey the Scriptural data, book-by-book, passage-by-passage, interpreting each text in its original context, then look at the main ways answers have been formulated throughout church history and why, then create one's own systematic synthesis of all of the relevant Scriptural data as informed by the various readings of history into what seems to be the most internally coherent and consistent whole, as well as corresponding to any external evidence that may bear on the question, along with that which is existentially viable, i.e., livable. A wonderful bonus are the short sections of application or contemporary significance at the end of each topic that the authors filter through this multi-step grid.

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A Great Approach to the disciplines involved in the study of theology!

I really appreciate the work. I was teaching trough Wayne Grudem's "Systematic Theology" when the footnotes mentioned this book. The approach made me an instant student of the histtory of theology and the church fathers, whereas I was not interested in, nor had the time needed to try to search out what has been said in history on these various subjects. These authors gave me a great foundation in learning to use these various disciplines to do theology.

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Great Intro Textbook

Okay, I'll confess up front that I am a former student of the authors, but that was before this book came out. As a student I appreciated the theological method modeled by Professors Demarest and Lewis, as it had the virtue of teaching the student how to think theologically, testing various theories against different alternatives as well as Scripture. They didn't just teach theology. They taught us how to DO theology. None of this simply memorizing and parroting back canned answers. Now, as a professor and practicing theologian my appreciation of the method has increased to the point that it has highly influenced my own theology text, to be released in Brazil (in Portuguese) later this year. I have found that students respond with enthusiasm to this type of presentation, as it brings theology to the heart of their world, and allows them to really engage the issues. Simply put, Integrative Theology is the best text available for providing a comprehensive treatment of how the task of Christian dogmatics can be a world view building enterprise. It's a great way to learn (and teach) theology and that alone merits five stars.

However, there is more than just that. The content and insight into historical, biblical and philosophical issues are a great way to demonstrate how the various disciplines in the seminary curriculum should come together in a balanced manner. Too often these disciplines ignore each other, or are outright antagonistic. Here the tendency of biblical theology to atomize the text and the tendency of philosophical theology to launch off into unbridled abstractions, divorced from revelation, are both avoided. Instead, you get a warm and practical treatment of relevant issues as the traditional loci of doctrines are developed.

As for the complaint of some reviewers that there is some sacrifice of depth and rigor, it must be kept in mind that a key part of the authors' purpose is to provide an introductory seminary level textbook. After spending the past three years working on such a text, I can testify that there are just some things you have to leave out, or at least treat with less detail, lest the discussion go over the head of your intended audience. Readers and students can make up for the lack by pursuing more advanced reading in the references, or taking upper level seminary courses. With Integrative Theology as a background, they'll have much easier going doing so. It's a great starting point for aspiring theologians, or laypeople who simply want to deepen their understanding of the scope of Christian doctrine. You may not always agree with their conclusions on every position, but you will come away being challenged to think it through for yourself and arrive at a coherent view that will deepen your understanding of divine truth. This book belongs in the library of every pastor and serious layperson.

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Brilliant Referance piece

Integrative Theology is one of the better theological resources because it doesn't just focus on one aspect. Most Theology books look at a system, a few focus on the biblical data on a specific issue. For each issue, Demarest and Lewis run through half a dozen formulations for the issue at hand, followed by a summary of the Biblical texts, and conclude with a systematic formulation and sections on apologetics and application. While the volumes do not cover as broad a range of topics as some comparable works, the depth in which the important issues are covered is difficult to understate.

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Comprehensive, clear, practical

While not written at the level of technical philosophical detail as Aquinas or Pannenberg (as another review here stresses), this text is still set apart from most general theological treatments by its philosophical clarity and coherence. This is in addition to the virtues of its serious treatment of the range of Scriptural data concerning each topic, its apologetic engagement with differing views, and its practical counsel for life and ministry. It is a great resource for thinking through major theological issues and positions. I recommend it highly.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3

A one-volume edition of the three-volume "Integrative Theology", this text deals with the definition and application of this new and distinctive approach to religious study.

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